03/03/2024
TAMBO MEET AND GREET
Firstly thanks everyone that turned up to listen to what we candidates had to say and for sticking around for chats afterwards.
Here's some points to let you know how I think and I will represent you all if I am fortunate enough to be elected on March 16th:
1. Government Office for Tambo: (QGAP or similar) I want our council to lobby the government for a QGAP in Tambo so police can be out doing what police are meant to do, deter criminals from stopping in our shire, and to be patrolling our community rather than doing driver licences and registrations.
2. I have spoken to council workers from Blackall and Tambo and a lot are saying they have been told they cannot talk to elected councillors as those workers work for the council. That advice given to council workers would surely be a breach of their human rights and if elected I will chase this up and ensure council workers are told of that right.
3. I will represent everyone equally and that includes the council workers.
4. Council financial position and council workers pay: If I am elected I will immediately ask why council workers from Blackall and Tambo are telling me their still waiting for the last EB pay increment they were apparently owed from July 1st 2023. If the council is delaying this pay rise without some legal hold up beyond the councils control they need to be called out on it!
5. Tourism: Our entire shire needs to have tourists stop for longer and we need our shire as a holiday destination. Lets sell our shire better and work with other shires to get us on the destination map.
6. Solar Farms: If in the next 4 years council are asked to vote on proposed solar farms being built in our shire I will vote No. Solar farms have a shelf life and and there is no guarantee who will be responsible for the clean up/removal in years to come if the solar company is closed down. We do not want our graziers left holding that cost. It's not work the risk at this time and we need to ensure graziers are protected against those costs. We need reliable power solutions and while I'm a supporter of home solar, I am not a supporter of massive solar farms on good grazing/farming lands. We need greater subsidies so we can all afford good quality solar on our own roof. I have gone from $400 to $600 a month to no bill with our home solar system but the cost is still too high for many.
7. How I would vote in council: I'm disappointed at the suggestion it's difficult to vote no in council meetings. In the police I was a strong union representative and I will bring that strength to my decision making for the shire. I will vote the way I think is best for the community or matter at hand. I will not be a puppet voting to be popular with the council in council meetings.
8. My family and retirement: Bronwyn and I have no plans on moving! I retired in the shire because we like it here, and we have family here. We own our house in Tambo and we use businesses and recreation facilities in Blackall and Tambo. We need both towns to prosper and provide opportunity for our children and grandchildren to have good jobs, business opportunities, and reasons to live here. We need our grazing industry (and everyone else) to be supported with low rates charges where possible, we need good all weather roads to those properties and we need to ensure we support the satellite businesses that are supporting the rural industry.
If you have not yet voted, and you want someone who will stand up for the community, vote for James Beck. Thanks everyone.
AUTHORISED BY James Beck, 24 Edward Street Tambo Qld 4478.
