Precede
A year after Noosa council elections, first time councillor Jessica Phillips reflects on her first year in office and career change from police officer to councillor:
When I decided to run for council, my goal was simple: to be transparent and honest while I represent the community.
I have often spoken about those who don’t have a big voice in local government – the silent majority, the mums and dads, business owners, tradies, and hard-working or retired locals who just go about their lives. They’re the ones who keep this community ticking along but sometimes don’t feel as connected to the council decisions that may affect them.
It’s been a learning curve – figuring out when to stand and what exactly a “point of order“ is still has me scratching my head!
But what I don’t need to learn is that I’m here to listen to our community. I’m incredibly passionate about standing next to our ratepayers and the locals who keep our community ticking along. At the end of the day, I can only be me – down to earth, real, and doing my absolute best.
When I was sworn in to council, my main goal was clear: to rebuild trust between the community and the council. I wanted to ensure that decisions were being made with real consideration behind it. On paper, things might look one way, but I’ve always believed that I need to approach decisions with methodical, evidence-based, and voting with integrity.
Over the past year, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the hard work of our council staff. The many dedicated individuals, the “worker bees,“ who often go unnoticed, play a crucial role in tour community. I encourage the community to withhold criticism without full understanding, many of these staff members are our neighbours too. Not everything is perfect and there’s always room for improvement, and I’m committed to doing my part. But I believe that to make real change, we need to approach every issue with an open mind, listen to all sides, and make decisions based on logic, not emotion or bias.
Reflecting on last year, navigating the planning scheme amendments and the Lake Macdonald Drive development was one of my biggest challenges. I’ve been clear about my reasons for voting the way I did, and I stand by those decisions, as they reflected my personal perspective rather than the council’s stance. This process has prepared me for future challenges, but my commitment to advocating for the community will remain at the heart of everything I do. As we face the need for more housing, especially with an aging population, I will continue to prioritise thoughtful, community-first development in all my decisions.
Community safety is always a top priority for me. I’m passionate about improving road safety, especially in areas where the council can make a difference with speed zones and road infrastructure. We need to make sure our roads are safe for everyone – drivers and pedestrians alike.
I am looking forward to the details of the shire-wide CCTV strategy to address safety concerns in areas that need it most. I’ve heard a lot from the community about this, and I’m committed to continued advocacy in what council can do to help keep people safe.
Supporting our sporting groups is a big priority for me. They’re not just about games – they give young people a chance to stay active, learn life skills, and build connections. These groups are such an important part of our community, and I want to make sure they have the resources to keep going strong.
And when it comes to our local small and family-owned businesses, I’ve got their backs. I know firsthand how hard it can be to run a small business, juggling everything just to stay afloat. I’ll keep advocating for future policies that help these businesses grow, because when they succeed, we all benefit.
I’m committed to keeping rates low, being efficient and effective in how we spend, and always advocating for respectful, responsible spending that benefits our community.
I’m one of you, and as always, I encourage you to keep sharing your thoughts with me. Noosa has changed over the years, and as it continues to grow, so do its needs and priorities. It’s important to me that I stay in touch with what matters most to our community – because I represent you.
The Noosa I love is one that’s rooted in the values of community, respect for nature, and my lifestyle. It’s where I am raising my kids, and it’s where I carry the memories of my late mum – memories that remind me of what makes this town special and different. It’s those values and those memories that fuel my passion for making sure Noosa stays a place we’re all proud to call home.
I also want to take a moment to thank the many residents I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know this year. I’m never surprised, but always grateful for the diversity, talent, passion, and expertise this community brings – it’s what makes Noosa my hometown and reminds me every day why I love living here.
Thank you for your trust and support, I look forward to continuing to serve you as your councillor this term.
