The 4350water Blog highlights some of the issues relating to proposals for potable reuse in Toowoomba and South East Qld. 4350water blog looks at related political issues as well.
See details of most candidates in the comments.
posted by Concerned Ratepayer at 11:13 AM
For many years, the 4350water blog has informed readers of plans by the Toowoomba City Council (now Toowoomba Regional Council) and the Qld government to introduce recycled water for drinking in Toowoomba. It has also looked at the issue from a State and Federal perspective and dealt with related State and Federal political issues. There continues to be a need for the Toowoomba Regional Council to be completely transparent in its dealings with the ratepayers and residents of Toowoomba. There also continues to be a need for open debate on the benefits and risks of potable reuse and long-term studies on the effects on humans of drinking recycled water. Coal seam gas water is emerging as a possible alternate water source for some uses for the region. The 4350water blog is a collective effort and thanks go to its many contributors.
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Toowoomba by-election 2008 candidates:
1. Ian James KELEHER
Ian James Keleher's family has been in the Darling Downs for 100 years. The 55-year-old retired farmer served on the Clifton Shire Council for nine years from 1992-2001 and spent one of his terms as the chair for water and sewerage. During this time town water was installed in the Nobby Township and Mr Keleher counts this as one of the highlights of his time as a councillor.
Now that he has retired, Mr Keleher feels he has the time and the experience to be a dedicated member of the Toowoomba Regional Council. Mr Keleher jokes it is in his blood as both his father and uncle also served on the Clifton Shire Council and he has always had a great interest in local government.
Although Mr Keleher did not agree with the council amalgamations when they first happened, he feels that the Toowoomba Regional councillors are doing a good job and are a good team. He considers that with his past experiences he could make up and improve the team further.
2. Noel Patrick CASS
Noel Cass, 59, his wife Regan and their four adult children have lived in the Toowoomba region for the past two decades. Educated in Rockhampton, Noel served with the 3rd infantry battalion in Vietnam, before commencing his career as the Chief Executive Officer at Birdsville in 1974. On Council amalgamations in March, Mr Cass was the longest serving (34 years) local government CEO in Queensland, with 40 years experience in rural, regional and city councils.
Mr Cass now continues his association in local government as a Director on the Queensland Local Government Superannuation Board, which manages $3.6 billion in members’ funds. For the past 15 years he has owned and operated the eco-friendly ‘Pindari’ free range piggery.
Mr Cass sees this vacancy as an opportunity to use his varied experiences, knowledge and passion to create local jobs and boost regional business activity. Committed to encouraging open dialogue between Council, its employees and the community, Noel will ensure that Council always puts people first.
3. Ven SORENSEN
Ven Sorensen is a devoted family man and he and his wife Sandra- a nurse- have raised 4 children. Both Ven, 56, and Sandra have been actively involved in school based and community organisations.
Mr Sorenson has extensive professional experience in Local Government. Initially a council employee, Mr Sorensen then progressed to being a contractor to councils that required additional senior staff and problem solving assistance. Contracting for periods from one month to a year took him to 23 city and rural councils in both NSW and QLD, over a twenty year period. He also has experience in farming, meat processing/canning, mining and land development.
Mr Sorensen believes he has the ability and experience to offer strong community representation and as he does not have conflicting vested interests, believes he can devote all his time to the position.
4. Anne Michele ALROE
Michele Alroe, 57, moved to Queensland from Adelaide in 1979 and then, in 1991, to Toowoomba, where her husband Damien was born and raised. They have three children.
Mrs Alroe is currently employed as Office and Accounting Manager at Alroe and O'Sullivans Solicitors. From 2000 she spent eight years as a Toowoomba City Councillor managing the development portfolio and before that rebuilt and managed Aromas Coffee House and Bon Amici between 1995 and 2000. Mrs Alroe has also been on the board of and chaired the Regional Tourism Association and is a member of the Friends of St Vincent's Hospital, which she also chaired.
Michele calls Toowoomba her home town and says her business interests lie in the community. She wants to help the region to continue to experience good economic growth, but also maintain it's beautiful, green, clean environment and family orientated lifestyle.
5. Bruce James ELVERY
Bruce Elvery, 57, is a Toowoomba taxi driver whose personal motto is "Where there is a will, there is a way." Mr Elvery was born and bred in Toowoomba and is the fourth generation of his family to live in the area.
Mr Elvery believes he could bring a positive progress attitude to the planning and development portfolio which could benefit the region's residents and visitors. He is determined to see Toowoomba have a new regional airport well outside the city's boundaries as he believes there is serious safety issues with the current location's vicinity to property developments and playing fields.
6. Robert Bruce BERRY
Details not available
7. John Joseph MCVEIGH
John McVeigh was born and bred in Toowoomba. He studied his first business degree in Toowoomba before moving on to working in managment and marketing in agribusiness. Mr McVeigh returned to Toowoomba 14 years ago and has lived in the city ever since.
At present Mr McVeigh is the chairman and a shareholder in RL Windsor group, which has offices accross Queensland and Victoria, and the director of Ellis-Foster-McVeigh. Aged 43 and the father of six children, Mr McVeigh believes he could bring a youthful, fresh approach to council as well as an understanding of family needs and the difference between town and country.
He believes the Toowoomba community is well aware of the major issues in Toowoomba - water, sustainable environment, continued growth and infrustructure - but that the real issue facing the council is to pull it all together and take the next step.
8. Patrick John Joseph POBAR
Pat Pobar's family originally emigrated from Croatia and settled in Toowoomba in 1869. He is the fifth generation of the family to live in Toowoomba. Mr Pobar, 57, was born and raised in Toowoomba and attended St Mary's CBC. After school he worked and travelled through the Northern Territory and Central Queensland before marrying in 1974 and settling back in Toowoomba. Together he and his wife Gayle have three children and five grandchildren.
Until July this year Mr Pobar managed a dealership in Toowoomba which provided services to 30 shire councils and is now available for this new role as he did not wish to live outside Toowoomba. At present he is self-employed.
Mr Pobar believes the role of a councillor is vastly different to what it was prior to amalgamation and that his corporate background and lack of external interests to distract him make him a good candidate to fill the vacant position. He is committed to living in Toowoomba and says his self-funded overseas travel has taught him that many Australians don't realise just how lucky they are.
9. Avis Lynette HUNTER
Details not available
10. Ian Robert JONES
Ian Jones has lived in Clifton all of his life. Now aged in his 'mid 60s', Mr Jones was mayor of Clifton Shire Council until it amalgamated with the Toowoomba Regional Council in March. He was also the chairman of the Darling Downs Regional Organisation of Councils. At present Mr Jones runs Cefn in Clifton and was previously the director of Darling Downs Foods.
Mr Jones believes that the council needs people with experience in both business and local goverment so the administration of the area works correctly and seamlessly. Water, transport, the range crossing and the inland railway are things Mr Jones considers to be the major long-term issues for the Toowoomba region and he believes that these things are now achievable because of the amalgamations.
11. Susanne Margaret ENGLART
Sue Englart was born and raised in Toowoomba and spent 11 years as a Toowoomba City Councillor. Mrs Englart's family were among the earliest settlers of Toowoomba and she believes she is very conscious of Toowoomba's heritage and environment.
Mrs Englart says Toowoomba is a beautiful, diverse and proud city but believes the recent council amalgamations have been very difficult for everyone and that it caused some disillusionment for Toowoomba residents.
Having spent 11 years as a councillor, Mrs Englart says she brings real experience and can be a voice for the people. She is currently training with the Rural Fire and Rescue Service.
12. Grant Stuart ORFORD
Details not available
13. Graham Anthony BARRON
Graham Barron, 57, is a Toowoomba courtesy bus driver. The patron of seven sporting and comminty groups, Mr Barron was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his service to the community.
Mr Barron spent seven years on the Toowoomba City Council and also has small business experience. He believes these experiences have enhanced his abilities to listen and work through any issues which arrise and to achieve positive outcomes, where possible.
Mr Barron also chaired the Toowoomba Hospice Association and helped to co-ordinate the $1 million community fundraising drive for the project. Graham wants to be part of the team that moves forward to address the issues facing both Toowoomba City and the areas of the Darling Downs that the Toowoomba Regional COuncil covers.
11:25 AM, November 29, 2008
Recycled councillor or recycled candidate?
KELEHER - recycled councillor
CASS - newby
SORENSEN - recycled candidate
ALROE - recycled councillor
ELVERY - recycled candidate
BERRY - recycled candidate
MCVEIGH - newby
POBAR - newby ???
HUNTER - recycled councillor
JONES - recycled councillor
ENGLART - recycled councillor
ORFORD - newby
BARRON - recycled councillor
12:13 PM, November 29, 2008
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