By Alecia Staines
Noosa Shire is where three of my children were born, where I’ve become deeply involved in the community, and where I don’t just work, but proudly call it home.
I started teaching almost two decades ago, to make a difference in the lives of children and their families and I have continued this path of service and getting results for the community.
In 2015, I founded the not-for-profit organisation, Maternity Consumer Network which now has 1200 members because maternity services were failing women and their families. This year because of our campaigning the Queensland government directed $42 million into rural maternity services.
In 2011, I started the first Agribusiness Gateway to Industry school. Now there are 75 participating schools in Queensland. I received an award from the University of Southern Queensland for my efforts. .
This year, I campaigned to secure publicly funded homebirth for Sunshine Coast women.
When elected, I plan to apply my skills to get positive results for our shire. I will listen and will make representations on all matters raised with me.
I commit to being the community’s voice in council, not council’s voice in the community.
I learnt the value of hard work being raised on my family farm on the Darling Downs. I was barely tall enough to see over the wool table before I was helping in my grandparent’s shearing shed. I was ploughing paddocks in the tractor to plant crops from daylight to dark when I was 13, and mustering cattle on motorbikes through dusty paddocks on weekends. I know how to get things done.
I have spent many months of my campaign moving throughout our Shire meeting with community organisations, sporting groups, residents, and business owners. So many wonderful people who are keen for hands-on, visible and hard-working representation.
People are bringing to my attention their concerns and wondering why they are not being listened to, why is their council not focused on core services like rates, roads, parking, recreational areas, boating access and rubbish, and why their rates continue to rise.
Throughout my campaign I have met with organisations such as Noosa Wedding Organisation who provide economic benefit through showcasing our wonderful natural assets, creating jobs throughout our Shire.
For the 5000 registered boats in our shire there is much needed parking and infrastructure that needs to be addressed.
Families are doing it tough, and have had significant rate rises, whilst not seeing tangible outcomes.
Our hinterland communities want roads, bus shelters, shade and appropriate infrastructure.
As far north as Cooran, south to Peregian and all places in between I will represent ratepayers’ issues to the council chief executive officer and pursue appropriate outcomes.
This council election, you have an opportunity to make a difference, please consider me as your representative when completing your voting card. Vote 1 Alecia Staines.
