Public transport key issue for super council
Tue 06 November 2007
Fiona Welsh, Journalism
Improved public transport is one of the key issues for the new Sunshine Coast super council, according to former Caloundra Mayor Don Aldous.
Mr Aldous said providing a clean and efficient transport system to cover the Sunshine Coast Regional Council would be the greatest challenge for the expanded municipality.
He said the road and transport network that was required had already been agreed on by the three merged councils – Caloundra, Maroochydore and Noosa – and the State Government.
The aim was to “have a fast, clean and efficient transport system that will encourage rail and bus travel, cycling and walking”, with 33 per cent of the population using the network.
“There is a plan and it is now bearing fruit,” Mr Aldous said.
Transport is just one of many priorities the local transition committee is tackling with the election merger deadline looming on March 15, 2008. But Mr Aldous believes the committee has sufficient time and the experience to achieve its goals.
“I believe that with the knowledge, the skills and the commitment of the staff and the CEOs, we will be in as good a position as we can possibly be,” he said.
Although originally a strong opponent of amalgamation, Cr Aldous said as soon as the council’s fate was decided in July he decided it was best to present a united front and take care of the Sunshine Coast’s interests.
“While amalgamation has been forced on us by the State Government, I have said from day one that we must move forward and get the best results for the people of Caloundra city and the wider Sunshine Coast region,” he said.
He was also mindful of the benefits of a merger which he believed provided a stronger regional voice and a greater capacity for advocacy.
He said the new council would have greater clout to lobby state and federal governments and an increased budget would mean more significant projects for the region.
Now in his third term as mayor in one of the fastest growing municipalities in Australia, Cr Aldous said he was unsure if he would raise his hand to lead the new super council if he was successful in the March elections.
“I haven’t made up my mind. I intend to take a break over Christmas and I’ll decide what I intend to do after December,” he said.
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