Appointed as Councillor for Division 3 in late March 2015, then re-elected in 2016 and 2020. I am thoroughly enjoying the relationships, projects, and connection with local residents, identifying areas in need of improvement and change, and delivering great outcomes. I have been able to use pre-existing connections within the local community to benefit the residents and this has resulted in many positive improvements.

Just some of the highlights over recent years have been:

Projects Delivered

FOREST GARDENS

DUCK POND TOILET

Lakes Park in Forest Gardens that features a beautiful pond full of ducks and other wildlife is an increasingly popular park that has been growing. Over the last few years we have installed a new and improved playground and BBQ facilities to compliment the Tennis Court and Mini-Basketball Court. Many requests came in from residents needing a toilet, this has just been completed making it a perfect park for kids' birthday parties!

WHITE ROCK

3.2km CONNECTION PATHWAYS

There are many hidden parts of White Rock that feature a beautiful eco-system. Many sites are close to tributaries of Chinaman Creek, with mangroves, gumtrees and creek areas. Wildlife including Agile Wallabies and an array of birdlife make for a perfect site to run footpaths along, with featured seating to just sit and take in the beauty. Thanks to a grant from the Qld State Government, we created 3.2km of paths connecting disconnected areas and a new 2.65km loop which is perfect for runners, walkers and families.

MECURIO STREET

FENCED DOG PARK

Not only a place for our four legged friends, but a meeting place for many locals. With park tables and bubblers installed it keeps pets and their owners very happy.

Traffic Crossing Supervisors

Bruce Highway

One of the first requests I had from one of the mums in the area was to get a Traffic Crossing Supervisor for the White Rock School kids who cross the Bruce Highway twice a day. My initial thoughts were; “sure, how hard could that be?” I soon discovered that Department of Transport and Main Roads policy stated that the six lane highway was too dangerous to put a trained Traffic Crossing Supervisor at the lights. So the question on everyone’s lips was “so how does that make it safe for our children?” It was like wading through mud. So on behalf of White Rock State School I organised an official petition, which was signed by more than 700 residents. I then gave this to our local State MP (who had also been looking into this situation) to present to parliament. The petition was successful in 2016 and we now have 2 School Traffic Crossing Supervisors to assist the school children morning and afternoon.

SANDOWN CLOSE

WOREE

A result of poor planning in the past and other social factors, this small community joined with me to identify ways to improve their street. Together with help from our local assets, such as the Woree Tavern, Cairns Regional Council, Qld Police Service, Mission Australia, both Woree Primary & High Schools, Woree Neighbourhood Watch and many other service providers this street was transformed.

Further to other artwork done under the Gordon Creek underpass, Wally Wallwork as part of the urban art project worked with local kids to transform the ugly back wall of the pub into a work of art. Council installed footpaths, new road markings and donated trees which are being cared for by residents. Truly a place of transformation....

Ivan Evans Walk

Our own slice of paradise….this beautiful rainforest track located at the back of Bayview Heights was very run-down. Together with State Gov. Works for Qld funds and Council funds; $300,000 was put to work to re-design and improve this walk to a with class 3 walking track. The track has been redesigned from Ellen Close to the lookout and back down to Toogood Road.

Ivan Evans Trail is a Class 3 walking track of approximately 2.4 km return (1 hour return). It winds through dense rainforest behind the suburb of Bayview Heights and climbs gradually to a lookout.

SIGNS OF

THE TIMES

A lot of changes to signage around the division, such as improvements to TMR signage on the highways to assist Charlotte Close shops, combining five street names into one; Links Drive; which just made sense, working with the boys from Clontarf Foundation to paint the entrance statement walls in Forest Gardens and installing new Entrance Statement signage in White Rock, Woree and Bayview to give the areas a lift.