Cook Shire Ratepayers and Residents Association | Businesses

Cook Shire Ratepayers and Residents Association

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22.01.2022 In response to recent queries: CSRRA Inc. has a policy that our committee will meet with ANY ratepayer or resident at a committee meeting. Our meetings are held approx every 2 months. If any community member wishes to do so, email [email protected] Comments to this page need to be relevant to the post and not repeated with no new content nor evidence. Please refer to our Rules. Comments not related to the main post, including letters to committee will be copied and deleted. They will form part of the agenda at the next committee meeting and if an email address is provided a response if appropriate will be sent.

22.01.2022 We appreciate the repeated support we get from all sections of the community.

20.01.2022 This morning CSRRA was contacted by Peter Scott advising a post we put up Wednesday afternoon was untrue in respect to him facing charges in the District Court. CSRRA acknowledges the word CHARGES is incorrect and we should have said A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. The post was removed on Thursday when we became aware of the error. Whilst we apologise for any confusion this may have caused we also state: 1. It was clearly identified in early comments added to the post, that this wa...s a civil case and a claim for damages. 2. The screen shot below is in the public domain and was attached to the post. It clearly identified the proceedings type as: Claim Damages. 3. In this post, CSRRA acknowledged that all allegations were yet to be proven. 4. Despite being encouraged by a Lani Auviti Scott to provide a clearer picture of the matter on the page, we posted in reply, that as this matter is now before the District Court, it is not appropriate for CSRRA to provide details. 5. CSRRA advises we have never said the present Council is not lawful or legitimate. 6. We believe if you are an elected official, you can expect scrutiny in the interests of transparency, especially coming up to an election. See more

19.01.2022 COUNCILLORS: This week CSRRA learned Council tried to remove our protected and registered trade mark logo from this page. How many Council resources, funds and time has CEO Cardew’s admin spent on this? Councillors, do you know about this, or are you just a rubber stamp? Who directs whom? Mayor Scott, it appears direction is lacking in your leadership. Time to concentrate on Council’s core business: Roads, Rates & Rubbish. VOTERS: The TIME FOR CHANGE is NOW.

19.01.2022 CR. LARISSA HALE: So, where the bloody hell are you? Four years ago you cited as part of your election platform that you would bring healing to the community? After 4 years in office, could you let voters know the outcomes? Thank you for meeting CSRRA Committee ONCE in 4 years you took a lot of notes what were the outcomes? Your register of interests lists Yuku Baja Muliku Land Trust and Yuku Baja Muliku Landowner Trust and 7 organisation memberships. Can you advise how... much time you spent associated with these memberships and how much contribution they make to Cook Shire, including time spent travelling away from the shire and overseas? Not counting your Councillor wage, you list another 3 sources of income. In total, income from 4 sources. How much time do you spend on your Council job? LARISSA, We need Councillors who will look after everyone in the shire, not just their own self interests and pet hobbies or projects. We need Councillors without multiple jobs. Being a Councillor shouldn’t just be a top up to other incomes. We need Councillors who will serve all constituents and have the balls to stand up for what is right. Remember Gary Kerr? Weren’t you one of the 4 Amigos and wasn’t he just the first of numerous you let down? We need to see some REAL LEADERSHIP from our elected representatives. LARISSA HALE: MISSING IN ACTION in COOK SHIRE. See more

19.01.2022 AN ELECTION IS HAPPENING: CSRRA Inc. Election Analysis Policy. CSRRA believes it is time for change. We will make comment/analysis on the upcoming elections and any matters we believe need change or relevant to the last 4 years. We will comment on all incumbent candidates seeking re-election. Analysis will be on their track record and their comments in media. They have been our elected representatives and we believe scrutiny is appropriate. This is occurs everywhere in our Au...stralian democracy. We will not comment on nominated candidates, as they have not had an opportunity to prove themselves. Who ever is successful on March 28 will be under scrutiny for the next 4 years.. The CANDIDATES as at 12:25 pm Tuesday, 3 March 2020 are: MAYOR: PETER HUGH SCOTT REGINALD PETER SKIPWORTH COUNCILLORS: DION REECE CREEK GREGORY JOHN WHITTAKER JAN VAN DEN BERGH JENNIFER MARIA MIDGLEY JOHN ERWIN DESSMANN KERRY JOHN HOBBS LARISSA KRISTEN LOUISE HALE LORETTA JUDITH SULLIVAN MARILYN JOYCE MORRIS PETER FRANCIS BURNS ROBYN ELIZABETH HOLMES ROSS WHITMORE LOGAN TREVOR JOHN MELDRUM

16.01.2022 TIME TO ASK Crs. Peter Scott, Robyn Holmes, John Dessmann and Larissa Hale: Why did you recently vote yourself a 2 per cent pay increase when our shire is over 8 million in deficit? Councillors cost ratepayers over half a million per year. Are we getting value for money? Maybe they are too busy with their other paid jobs? TIME FOR CHANGE: We need Councillors who will look after everyone in the shire, not just their own self interests and pet hobbies or projects. We need Councillors without multiple jobs. Being a Councillor shouldn’t just be a top up to other incomes. TIME FOR a Council which exhibits REAL LEADERSHIP from the elected Councillors.

16.01.2022 VOTERS: Ask the incumbent candidates seeking re-election: Crs SCOTT, HOLMES, HALE AND DESSMANN why they didn’t EXTEND THE ORDINARY RATES DISCOUNT PERIOD due to impact of coronavirus for affected businesses until 30 June 2020 like Torres Shire Council did in their February Council meeting? VOTERS: Check your next rates notice. Are you paying more? Could this be because current Councillors voted themselves a further wage increase? Could this be because current Counciilors s...upport our CEO’s inclination to quickly engage lawyers in actions against various ratepayers? Recently Council sent CSRRA bullying correspondence from Brisbane IP lawyers with threats of legal proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia over the use of our protected and registered Trade Mark Logo. In turn, CSRRA’s specialist Brisbane lawyers advised Council they had a responsibility to ensure the effective and efficient use of public resources and that pursuing legal action against CSRRA would be a further waste of public resources. ASK these COUNCILLORS what is the total amount of Council’s legal costs and budget? It’s not surprising our rate increases are one of the highest in the state. ASK these Councillors why they are not focusing on Roads, Rates & Rubbish and looking after residents and struggling businesses? VOTERS: Is this how we want to live? See more

14.01.2022 MAYOR PETER SCOTT claims to have experience, influence, rapport, commitment, integrity and vision. WHAT DOES HIS LEGACY SHOW? STAFF SELECTION: No oversight nor insight in the selection of the last 3 CEOs, resulting in 2 being dumped. Choice of Directors has an ever revolving door of managers brought in from interstate with a large turnover of incompetent and inefficient people; sacking of highly competent Gary Kerr. Reliance on LGAQ’s employment agency for these recycled sen...ior staff appointments. FINANCIAL & ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT: Financial oversight has been non-existent in the following: Woobadda $700,000 + over; Waterfront Project $20 MILLION over (no exact figures as costs spread over many areas) and no adequate examination of consultant’s plans with costly failures of sea wall, marina pens, and electrical; Airport Project over budget and unrealistic with unworkable taxiways; Lakeland wash down facility; Coen spillway; PCYC cyclone rating and repairs; Road sealing in Cook Shire; The non heritage eyesore 2 Mile Bridge cost $1Million when Cooktown could have had a pedestrian/bike crossing for $300,000; Proposal of a nonsensical $100 per person passport fee to visit the Cape; Approx $8 MILLION in deficit yet approves councillor wage increases for 2020. Private contractors would be bankrupted and destroyed for far less. INTEGRITY: 2015 Redundancies: 35 LOCAL DEPOT staff dumped to be replaced within 6 months by more in the office. (another 8 locals in 2014). A track record of living it up at ratepayer expense with alcohol, accommodation and extra perks such as Qantas airline memberships charges to Council credit card expenditure. Ever revolving door of Council employees, with little regard or loyalty to locals and financial costs. THE FUTURE We need a mayor who will take control of Council, direct policy and the CEO not a Mayor who sits back and is directed. Peter Scott has form in allowing constituents to be bullied and harassed by CEOs and senior management. Peter Scott has not and will not stand up for ratepayers, residents, businesses, contractors and Council staff. In our opinion, IT’S TIME for a Mayor who truly exhibits integrity and REAL LEADERSHIP. See more

13.01.2022 CONGRATULATIONS to the candidates who have been elected to Cook Shire Council. In fairness to new councillors, CSRRA Inc. does not intend to make further comment until these councillors have been given time to deliver outcomes. The incumbent re-elected candidates should take notice that 45% of voters wanted change. Once again, we have only 66% of the total vote possible being counted. 849 constituents out of 2,542 have either not voted or their votes were not received. The c...urrent system is a failure in Cook Shire. Cook Shire Ratepayers and Residents, stay safe and take care of yourselves and your families in these unprecedented times. See more

12.01.2022 CR. JOHN DESSMANN: You may have served your apprenticeship, but what apprenticeship was that? "Being a rubber stamp" or "how to get a top up to your regular job?" You say I’m for anyone who votes for Cooktown CSRRA say’s its not just Cooktown its COOK SHIRE - We need Councillors who will look after everyone in the shire, not just their own self interests and pet hobbies or projects. We need Councillors without multiple jobs. Being a Councillor shouldn’t just be a top up ...to other incomes. Sounds like you cannot handle criticism or different opinions without name calling. What have you done for our association? Met with us a couple of times in 4 years and did not follow up on one request. JOHN DESSMANN: We need to see Councillors who are not selective and judgmental, Councillors who will serve all constituents and have the balls to stand up for what is right. Remember Gary Kerr? Weren’t you one of the 4 Amigos and wasn’t he just the first of numerous you let down? We need to see some REAL LEADERSHIP from our elected representatives. See more

10.01.2022 LOCAL GOVT ELECTIONS: Candidate nominations will open with the Notice of Election on Saturday 22 February 2020 and close at midday on Tuesday 3 March 2020. Cook Shire is in need of active, hands on Councillors. CSRRA encourages all those who want to be part of an active team looking after the needs of ALL ratepayers and residents to nominate. THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW!

10.01.2022 IS MAYOR PETER SCOTT PAST HIS USE BY DATE? Mayor Scott claims he brings experience, credibility and trust? After 16 years in Council, one cannot deny experience, but are credibility and trust in the mix? CSRRA’s opinion is that Peter Scott’s legacy is WOEFUL: 1. No oversight nor insight in the selection of the last 3 CEOs, resulting in 2 being dumped. 2. Choice of Directors is appalling: large turnover of incompetent and inefficient people; sacking of highly competent Gary K...err which the current gutless councillors have swept under the carpet. 3. Reliance on LGAQ’s employment agency without independent and thorough checks. 4. Financial oversight has been non-existent: Woobadda $700,000 + over; Waterfront Project $20 MILLION over (no exact figures as costs spread over many areas) and no adequate examination of consultant’s plans; Airport Project over budget and unrealistic with taxiways which were unworkable; The eyesore 2 Mile Bridge cost $1Million when Cooktown could have had a pedestrian/bike crossing for $300,000. 5. 2015 Redundancies: 35 LOCAL DEPOT staff dumped to be replaced within 6 months by more in the office. We need a mayor who will take control of Council, direct policy and the CEO not a Mayor who sits back and is directed. Peter Scott has not and will not stand up for ratepayers, residents, businesses, contractors and Council staff. He has form in allowing constituents to be bullied and harassed by CEOs and senior management. TIME FOR a Mayor who exhibits integrity and REAL LEADERSHIP. Cook Shire: NOMINATIONS CLOSE 3 MARCH @ NOON. See more

09.01.2022 This wrong practice is commonplace throughout Qld Councils, including COOK SHIRE COUNCIL where we have seen secret meetings before the regular Wednesday public meetings. There is no transparency with decisions just rubber stamped at the public meetings: a cesspool for possible corruption. Elected Councillors need to insist that the CEO implement policies and procedures which restore public confidence in accountability, transparency and integrity.

05.01.2022 TIME FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE if it’s TIME FOR CHANGE. Last year we advised the following RATE INCREASES ACROSS THE STATE for your comparison: 3% Cook Shire Council 2.97% Sunshine Coast Regional Council 2.66% Redland City Council... 2.5% Brisbane City Council 2.5% Mareeba Shire Council 2.3% Lockyer Valley Regional Council 1.8% Douglas Shire Council 1.68% Gold Coast City Council 1.5% Cairns Regional Council 1.49% Logan City Council 1.46% Moreton Regional Council 1.4% Ipswich City Council 1% Scenic Rim Regional Council 1% Somerset Regional Council Have you noticed the increases? Are Cook Shire businesses and ratepayers getting VALUE for MONEY and best practice management? CSRRA believes they are not. Think about which candidates have the passion, the drive, the time, and the commitment to bring changes for ALL of Cook Shire. See more

04.01.2022 CSRRA Inc. is seeking information from our community regarding the circumstances of an incident or matter where Council’s CEO Linda Cardew made a recent trip to Coen. Please use messenger or our email: [email protected]. Do not comment or post publicly on this page.

04.01.2022 COOK SHIRE COUNCIL: Facebook has reviewed Council’s complaint over the use of our federally registered and protected Trade Mark Logo as our profile picture. As a result, all our content has been reloaded. COUNCILLORS: Do you endorse ratepayer funds and resources being spent on vexatious actions against CSRRA Inc, ratepayers and the freedom of speech. THE STANDARD YOU WALK PAST IS THE STANDARD YOU ACCEPT. VOTERS: Ask candidates in the upcoming election do they support the use of YOUR RATES on vexatious actions? Our feedback indicates not and that you would prefer your rates to be spent on Roads, Rates & Rubbish.

03.01.2022 WHY ARE SOME RATEPAYERS IN THE CAMERON CREEK ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME BEING TREATED DIFFERENTLY BY COUNCIL? A significant number of concerned ratepayers approached CSRRA last year due to their concerns with inconsistencies in the levy and some land owners receiving exemptions. Due to Council not supplying all requested materials, CSRRA made a RTI application in July 2019. CSRRA believes affected property owners and ratepayers have a right to know. CSRRA also made a RTI applic...ation with ERGON. Ergon supplied all requested information within 6 WEEKS. It appears from the information we currently have: 1. Some lots exempted are on the backbone. 2. Some lots are accessing the backbone, but are not on Council’s benefitted map. 3. Council’s current map is not accurate and does not align with Ergon maps. 4. Payment levies for owners since inception do not reflect additional owners. CEO, Linda Cardew’s LACK OF TRANSPARENCY creates unnecessary Council expenditure. After 8 MONTHS our RTI with Council is still going through review processes. Why doesn’t CEO Cardew provide requested information and save on Council costs? TIME FOR COUNCILLORS TO SPEAK UP ask ALL Candidates for the upcoming election what they are going to do about this, including Peter Scott, Robyn Holmes, John Dessmann and Larissa Hale who all approved charges and exemptions? COULD THE CURRENT COUNCILLORS explain why they voted some owners to get exemptions in 2018? CSRRA believes EVERYONE in Cook Shire should get a fair go. See more

02.01.2022 DEPUTY MAYOR ROBYN HOLMES: Analysis of first term in office. Cr Holmes began her first term with great expectations, being self described as the councillor for the community. Whilst most agree Cr Holmes listens, what do the performance indicators show? Cr Holmes’ Register of Interests shows she belongs to 8 community or professional organisations and interest groups in our shire. Cr Holmes advocacy for an aged care facility for Cape York is to be applauded as is her support f...or community facilities. Cr Holmes’ Register of Interests also shows that on top of her deputy mayor salary, she receives income from the Qld Police Service. Cr Holmes has not had an easy time within Council. In 2016, there was great community sympathy when Cr Holmes needed to engage Wilson Partners Law to defend a Council action against her. Cr Holmes was the only councillor who made genuine efforts to talk to our association on a few occasions in four years and demonstrated some community engagement when it got difficult. However, there was a failure to take the necessary next steps from the beginning. Cr Holmes was labelled one of the 4 Amigos and Gary Kerr and Jilinda Lee were the first of numerous to be let down. Many constituents came with concerns, were listened to, but feedback suggests not so many were happy with the outcomes and responses. Cr Holmes has demonstrated personal bias and a lack of just and equitable dealing to some in the community she doesn’t like, by indicating she would support moves to look into finding another business outside our shire to take over the services offered by a local business, and by telling a CSRRA committee member, there would be no Council work for his business while he worked with our association. Cr Holmes raised no objection to getting the road sealed where she lives, despite many in the community well ahead on a long term wait list. Midway through this term, Cr Holmes indicated her ambition to run for Mayor. Cr Holmes has now cited numerous reasons for not running, including family, time commitments and an inability to get an adequate understanding of all the new and changing regulations, including Belcarra. However, these issues should also apply to Councillors and if you have multiple jobs and commitments, you simply cannot put the time in that is required to make well overdue changes. In our opinion, Cr Holmes needs support from stronger colleagues, ones who can put the necessary time in, ones who have the balls to stand up to the current autocratic mayor and CEO and for what is right for all the community. See more

02.01.2022 Find out about support available for small businesses impacted by the outbreak of coronavirus