General News
27 March, 2025
Five line up for shire
FIVE candidates will vie to become a councillor for Mareeba Shire at the by-election on 5 April.
At close of nominations last Tuesday, former councillors Alan Pedersen and Gaye Taylor put their names forward, as well as Mladen Bosnic, who came 7th at the 2024 poll, and newcomers Robyn Drury and Carol Chong.
The poll will be conducted by postal vote only, with the Electoral Commission Queensland preparing now to send out information to all those eligible to vote in the Mareeba Shire local government area.
The ballot draw was held after nominations closed, with Mr Bosnic in first place, followed by Ms Taylor, Mr Pedersen, Ms Drury and Ms Chong.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said it was good to see candidates willing to represent their community ahead of the by-election.
“Now that electors know who is running, they can start to decide who they want as their new councillor representing them in local government issues,” he said.
“This by-election is a full postal ballot so electors don’t need to visit a polling booth, instead they will soon receive their voting materials in the mail.
“Voters can complete their ballot paper as soon as their materials arrive, and they must do that before 6pm election day, on Saturday 5 April.
“Please be sure to follow the instructions carefully, including signing the declaration envelope and making sure it is signed by a witness. For your vote to count, we must receive your completed ballot paper by 5pm Tuesday 15 April.”
Mr Vidgen reminded the approximately 16,300 enrolled voters living in the Mareeba Shire Council area that voting is compulsory and failure to vote could attract a $161 fine.
Keep up to date with the Mareeba Shire Council by-election at ecq.qld.gov.au/mareeba, on socials @electoralcommissionqld or call 1300 881 665 for more information.
Mladen Bosnic
WITH decades of strong, stable connections throughout the Mareeba Shire and a solid history of community service, through sport and initiatives like Crime Stoppers, Mladen Bosnic is keen to bring his knowledge and experience to local government.
“My vision is for a strong, efficient council that respects all ratepayers, prioritises community safety and acknowledges the cost-of-living pressures facing local families,” he said.
Mr Bosnic has been critical of the decision by the council to opt for a by-election instead of choosing to offer him, as the seventh in line at the 2024 poll, the position left vacated by Kevin Davies.
He believes that transparency of decisions made by the elected councillors, as community elected representatives, must be of paramount importance.
“Your voting decision at this by-election should be centered on giving ratepayers and residents a responsible and accountable representative – not one that falls into line with a predetermined agenda and outcome with no evident debate, with no questions asked, no reasons nor answers given, especially to those who rely so heavily on sound council decisions,” Mr Bosnic said.
He is also committed to making our shire safer and more liveable by strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, expanding crime prevention programs and supporting youth engagement initiatives to reduce crime.
Mr Bosnic is also focussed on investing in better roads, parks and public spaces to enhance liveability and attracting new opportunities.
“Supporting local businesses, attracting investment and advocating for job creation to keep the shire thriving is a top priority for me,” he said.
ACCOUNTABILITY for ratepayers, better roads and community improvements are the cornerstones of Carol Chong’s bid to be elected as a Mareeba Shire councillor on 5 April.
As the managing director of a pastoral property north-west of Chillagoe, Ms Chong believes her knowledge of the beef industry and of the region’s primary producers will give her the insight she needs to push for better transport routes and to boost the sector.
“The primary producers industry is a vital to our local economy, which generates jobs, supports local businesses and drives regional growth,” she said.
“The beef industry contributes to our local communities by ensuring food security, economic stability and sustainable development.
“The local industry also drives government investment in roads, irrigation and logistics.
“With years of experience working with local organisations, I understand the needs of our people.
“I will continue to fight for better infrastructure, responsible governance and economic growth to ensure a better future for all.”
Ms Chong says her leading role as the principal petitioner in a successful petition, which contained more than 700 signatures, calling for the Burke Development Road between Chillagoe and Almaden to be fully sealed in 2009 demonstrates her willingness to stand up for what is needed.
“This project improved road safety, boosted tourism, and strengthened economic growth in our region,” she said.
“I am also passionate about supporting our local community dealing with youth justice crime problems in Mareeba and Kuranda.
“If elected as a councillor, I will bring previous experience and knowledge having worked in justice programs designed to provide intervention and prevention with people engaged in crime.”
FOR Robyn Drury, deciding to run for council in the 5 April by-election is all about making her hometown a better place for everyone to live.
“I grew up here, brought up my family here and I love this place,” she said.
Together with her husband of 44 years, Russell, Mrs Drury raised four children, with three of them now living in Mareeba with their families. But while her family has been fortunate to have work and live well, she has concerns about others in the community.
“I was taught from an early age to always have compassion, show empathy and respect towards each other, and as parents, we installed this belief into our children,” she said.
“I understand the struggles and contribution to which the farming community endures. We purchased our property a month before Cyclone Larry decided to pay us a visit, it was challenging but we persisted.”
Mrs Drury is particularly concerned about the future of young people in the shire and is passionate about making a real difference in their lives.
“If elected, I will work constructively with the mayor and other councillors for youth development which I strongly believe is critical to our social fabric,” she said.
“Social justice issues like homelessness, domestic violence, and youth crime need strong advocacy to State and Federal governments to seek funding to address these issues within our community.”
As someone who has volunteered for two decades of Mareeba’s junior rugby league, Mrs Drury said has witnessed the value of kids being involved in sport, and much could be done to give young people more guidance and a belief they could lead a successful and productive life.
Mrs Drury said she had wanted to stand for council for some time, and now she had retired, she had the time and energy to full commit to the job.
AS a successful business owner since 1980, Gaye Taylor believes her good fiscal management will be of great benefit to the ratepayers of Mareeba Shire.
“I understand good fiscal management. We can’t spend more money that we make and must stick to a balanced budget,” she said.
“There’s a huge difference between luxury and necessity and MSC Councillors need to spend money on the services that rates are actually collected for.
“The last rate rise of 5.6% was well above expectations, and the fact that there are ratepayers and residents groups in Kuranda, Mt Molloy/Julatten and, murmurings in Mareeba for a similar organisation, indicates to me that ratepayers are not currently happy.”
Ms Taylor served as a Mareeba Shire councillor from 2004-2008 and was also a representative in the TRC council before de-amalgamation.
As such, she says she demonstrated her effectiveness as a councillor, being part of achievements by the organisations including supporting Kuranda’s bid not to have fluoride in its water supply, and obtaining government funding to upgrade Dimbulah’s water network.
Ms Taylor was also an integral part of fighting a sand mining proposal for the Walsh River, fought hard to upgrade the filtration system of the Chillagoe water supply, and lobbied for a new Dimbulah health facility which was built in 2018.
In addition to her business success, Ms Taylor has also been secretary for Dimbulah/Mutchilba Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the board of directors for Mareeba Dimbulah Financial Services.
“We raised $1.2 million in shares to establish Community Banks in Mareeba and Dimbulah,” she said.
Ms Taylor has been a member of the Dimbulah Sports Pistol Club Inc since 1993, and for the past 33 years, she has been a trainer at Martial Art of Taekwondo, instructing students two nights every week.
Former councillor and deputy mayor Alan Pedersen has also nominated for the 5 April by-election. To read his article which was published in the 19 March edition of The Express, go to www.theexpressnewspaper.com
