Serving as a councillor in the Shire I’ve always called home is both an honour and a daily challenge—especially when the votes are tough and the choices don’t fit neatly into one box or another.
Last week was one of those weeks.
I voted against the proposed Council fees and charges, and against the funding agreement for the Noosa Biosphere. It’s important to be clear: I did not take that stand because I undervalue the work of the Biosphere Reserve. I believe in its goals and respect its contributions.
What guided my vote was something else: principle—and the ongoing reality many of our resident’s face.
There’s a growing narrative in government circles that we must always push forward “for the greater good” and “for future generations.” While I wholeheartedly support long-term thinking, I believe something is getting lost in the conversation: the everyday people living here right now.
From pensioners on fixed incomes to single parents juggling costs, from workers in tourism and hospitality to small business owners hit by rising overheads—people are hurting. And every policy decision we make, no matter how well-intentioned, has ripple effects we can’t afford to ignore.
You shouldn’t have to choose between caring for your family today or preserving the planet for tomorrow. We should aim to do both. But we must stay grounded in the practical impact of our choices.
My background in policing taught me to listen to all sides and make decisions based on facts, not pressure. That same principle guides me now. I weigh staff advice seriously, I study the data carefully, I read the reports and ask probably to many questions in workshops, and when I vote, I do it with a commitment to fairness, balance, and community voice.
Last week’s vote wasn’t easy—but I believe leadership isn’t about always agreeing. It’s about standing firm on what you believe is right, even when it’s not popular.
We need a future that works for everyone, not just in 10 or 20 years—but right now, too.
