Ross Peddlesden for Division 5 | Community
Ross Peddlesden for Division 5
Reviews
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23.01.2022 Attended the draw for ballot positions in the council elections today - albeit a bit late due to dog wrangling duties! Drew position 1 in a two horse race for Division 5. Looking forward to the challenge and to personally meeting as many residents as I can manage, as well as attending a range of forums and other events.
20.01.2022 For some time now I've been talking to great people in the division and across the region about a policy area which receives too little attention. Yes - roads rates and rubbish are important, but creative thinkers are where our future prosperity and jobs for our kids will come from, so I've put together a policy statement on culture. Read it here - http://www.rosspeddlesden.com.au//culture-the-forgotten-p/ As always, I'm interested in your opinion.
20.01.2022 Good news that a material change of use has been approved for a medical centre, pharmacy and skin care clinic at 611 Bargara Road. The centre is planned as an innovative mix of general practice, skin care clinic, pharmacy and rooms for visiting medical practitioners. This issue has been raised with me a number of times by patients of the Grace Family Practice as I've been campaigning around Bargara, and many people have been looking forward to this day. In the normal course of events this decision can still be subject to appeal, but let's hope this exciting development can go ahead quickly to the benefit of the community.
19.01.2022 One of the issues which has been raised with me by number of people - mostly by young mothers - is that fact that many of our wonderful children's playgrounds don't have shade sails to make them ore useable in hot weather. I agree, and it wouldn't be a difficult or expensive problem to fix. Read my opinion here - http://www.rosspeddlesden.com.au/uncate/shade-for-our-kids/ I'd be interested in your opinion.
19.01.2022 It was a pleasure to attend the Zonta International Women's Day breakfast this morning with my wife Anne McWhirter and Zonta President Alex Grove. Inspirational speakers on empowering indigenous women and the great work being done in Ethiopia on fistula surgery, as well as good food and good company.
18.01.2022 Zonta President Alex Grove - the orange bags are only $5 and go towards the fight against violence against women in our community.
17.01.2022 My first casualty. One of my corflutes on Rifle Range Road run over by somebody on Thursday night. Stake snapped off a ground level and I found this 500 metres away. No prizes for the first person to say that my face is actually improved by tyre tread marks!
16.01.2022 Spent the last couple of days handing out how to vote cards at pre-poll in Bundaberg. I've met some wonderful people and received some great support from friends. I don't want to be negative, but the physical set up of the office is disappointing, with limited parking, uncomfortable conditions for those handing out and those attending to vote, and no disability access. One lady in a wheelchair simply couldn't get in and had to vote on her lap on the footpath. Not good enough in this day and age. Don't forget that pre-poll will be available all next week at the council service centre in Hughes Road. I'll be there to say g'day.
15.01.2022 To the person who continues to draw appendages on my head on my signs in North Innes Park - a. thank you for your sophisticated contribution to the political debate. b. thank you for the fact that they're getting bigger each time!
15.01.2022 I've been doorknocking over the past couple of days in North Innes Park, an area where people feel they're pretty much forgotten about. Lots of good people, great discussion and the occasional grilling on my policies! All good stuff. Look out for a policy announcement specifically about that area soon.
13.01.2022 I see Cr Barnes is floating the idea of a sporting complex for Bargara, perhaps co-located with and sharing facilities with the Bargara State School. I think this is an excellent idea. As the coast population grows there'll be more and more need for this sort of facility and there's no doubt that any facility which gets young people out and active and away from their screens is a positive. In addition, it's a great idea that taxpayer funded facilities at schools are used to their full capacity and not just during school hours. Such a plan may also make it more likely that there'll be an upgrade of parking facilities at the school, which parents are telling me are presently inadequate. I note that this is an idea that is in its very early stages, but I join Greg Barnes in committing to support it if elected.
13.01.2022 One of the joys of campaigning is that you meet some great people. Recently I met Heather Usher, who's starting up a new Landcare group called Friends of Rifle Range Creek. Whether I'm elected or not, I'll be really pleased to help her with her work. Read more here....... http://www.rosspeddlesden.com.au//friends-of-rifle-range-/
12.01.2022 It's been a great privilege tonight to participate in the candidates forum run by the Coral Coast Chamber of Commerce and the Bargara Progress Association. Thanks to all those who showed their interest and their passion for the future of the community by turning up, listening intently and coming up with some great questions. It's only now, several hours and a glass of red later that the adrenaline in ebbing away! These sort of events are democracy in action, and those of us who put our hands up for public office should be prepared to put ourselves in front of people to be questioned. Sincere thanks to all those who played a part in organising it.
11.01.2022 Tonight I'll be attending a forum organised by the Services Union. They wanted candidates to sign a pledge on three issues important to them. I've declined, not because I disagree with them, but because mu policy is to not sign pledges written by outside organisations. I have my own policies. Read them on my website here - http://www.rosspeddlesden.com.au//looking-after-council-s/
09.01.2022 It's worth noting this extremely useful ink from the Electoral Commission. Don't forget that when you vote this time there'll be three papers - a Mayoral Vote, a vote for a Divisional candidate and a vote on a referendum on four year fixed terms for the state government. https://www.facebook.com/electoralcommissionqld/posts/973191956069282
08.01.2022 I've now spent 3 afternoons talking to the good people of North Innes Park, and had a great time [except for the heat!] The one issue that was raised constantly is the state of roadside drains. Most of the area hasn't had kerb and channel right from the start, and has a bitumen roadway lined with grass ditches. I say ditches because that's what they are - they're not effective drains because the fall is all over the shop and when the water eventually reaches the lowest poi...nt it sometimes has nowhere to go, especially when rain is heavy as it was recently. So - a simple first step - council staff can survey the ditches to work out where the fall isn't consistent and use a backhoe to improve the situation. Before anyone says anything about cost - this isn't a major project, it's maintenance. Appropriate and necessary maintenance. If you live in NIP I'd be interested in your opinion. See more
06.01.2022 I've been doing a lot of doorknocking over the past two weeks, with plenty more to come. One issue which really seems to strike a chord with people is my policy of removing the cost from doing the right thing a taking your green garden waste to the dump. They think the present set up simply dumb - if you put green waste in your household bin there's no cost on top of your rates. If you try to do the right thing you'll be charged every time. Then council will mulch the material and use it on their own gardens or sell it. At present the financial penalty is directed at those who do the right thing. I think that's dumb policy - and people agree. Here's the original post...... http://www.rosspeddlesden.com.au/unca/green-waste-for-free/
04.01.2022 There's been a lot of talk about a so-called RV homebase - should we provide spaces where independent travelers can camp and enjoy our region. I believe there a a range of benefits if it's done well. Read more here - http://www.rosspeddlesden.com.au/uncategori/rvs-or-not-rvs/ As always - I'm interested in your opinion.
03.01.2022 People will have noted that Cr Barnes is running his consultation desk outside Woolworths for the second successive Saturday, and a couple of people have asked me why I'm not doing something similar as a candidate. The answer is simple - centre owners Stockwells won't let me. They've told me that they have a policy of no electioneering by any candidate on their property, and I am complying with that. I'll be setting up my own little campaign desk on the boardwalk opposite the bottom of Bauer Street in Bargara tomorrow from 10 am, so why not come down and say g'day?
02.01.2022 Talking to people in North Innes Park, it's clear that one of their problems is that some people's septic systems aren't working well, leading to leakage when it rains and some pretty unpleasant smell. I'ts a big and complex problem to do with the topography, the soils and more. One simple, practical thing that would help would be better maintenance, especially on old systems - many people seem to think you don't have to look after your system and it gets them into trouble. Perhaps there's a role for someone from Council to do some education on maintenance of septics and perhaps give individual advice, giving preference to pensioners and those on benefits. There are plenty of skilled staff, and it'd cost virtually nothing.
01.01.2022 Thank you to the wonderful residents of Carlyle who I met today as they voted in the Community Centre. Very welcoming, and there was a lot of laughter all morning. People were very patient, even when the polling team unbelievably ran out of ballot papers and there was a 45 minute delay while more were fetched from town. Thank you again.
