GC&M News will be running a series of ‘Meet the Candidate’ editorial features over a three week period leading up to the March 16 Sunshine Coast Council election.
Our aim is to provide a ‘level playing field’ platform to give all of our declared mayoral and divisional candidates running in the Sunshine Coast Council election the opportunity to present their pitch and provide responses to key issues raised by our Hinterland readers.
The series will be featured in both our print and online publications.
Each candidate has been approached and asked to provide a response of no more than 250 words.
Question to the candidates
Question 1
Community Engagement and Representation:
Tell us about yourself and how you plan to actively engage with the residents of your division and ensure their concerns are heard in decision-making processes? What steps will you take to represent the diverse interests within our community?
Question 2
Economic Development at the Local Level:
What is one thing you would do to encourage local economic development, support small businesses, and enhance job opportunities within our division?
Jenny Broderick
Question 1:
As a dedicated long-term resident of Division 1, I am passionate about seeing our community thrive. My husband Mark and I have been in our wonderful region for 23 years, have raised 4 children, have been running our own business for the last 2 decades, and have been volunteering in our community for just as long. It would be my honour to continue to serve our community as your Councillor. Throughout my years here, I have been actively involved in various volunteer roles, including serving as President of the Glasshouse Country Chamber, organising community events; such as Street Parties and Christmas Carols. I also helped in the initial setting up the Glasshouse Country Disaster Management Network, demonstrating my commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. It’s time for us to have a Councillor who turns up, is authentic and available, who genuinely cares about representing the needs of our Division. I am committed to ensuring effective communication and keeping our community informed about important developments, opportunities for you to have your say, and actively seeking feedback to ensure that their voices are heard. I will continue to host regular ‘Community Conversations’ so we can work on solutions and find opportunities together. I am dedicated to being accessible and available to residents, committing to designated office hours on both sides of the highway to ensure that I am easily reachable. I am here to represent you with integrity, respect, and humility.
Question 2:
With the opportunity to serve our Glasshouse Country community as President of the Chamber for several years, I have had the privilege of building relationships with many of our wonderful businesses. Our Local businesses are the backbone of our regional economy. The growth of our industrial area within Division 1 is both inevitable and essential. This allows trades and industry an opportunity for growth, opening career pathways and job opportunities for our locals. However, to achieve this, we need to ensure a balanced, common-sense approach to land development and infrastructure planning, which is why the upcoming Planning Scheme review is going to be so important. Ensuring safety and consistent flow of traffic through our townships remains crucial. Forward and practical planning is essential. Engagement with our businesses, understanding their needs, and continuing to work together to build a strong business community culture is important. Continual engagement and effective communication with our local Business networking groups is essential. They need a Councillor who understands the pressures of business, who recognises the need for support and resources, and can share information that is helpful to our Business Community. Our locals want to support local, however, for that to happen, we also need diversity in our business offerings. That being said, this can often be difficult due to the cost involved in staffing, rent and general operation of a retail business. I would value the opportunity to continue to work with our local business networks, to offer support and find solutions on how we can best cater for the needs of the community, while allowing our businesses to thrive.
Kristy Taylor-Rose
Question 1:
I am a mum of two teenagers and an adult son and have been in the construction industry for over 20 years. I am a long-standing President of my children’s P&C and am an active member of the community, volunteering and participating in various organisations either as part of their committee, coaching or at events, to feeding the homeless, meals on wheels, to donating and packing Parcels of Peace packages and then delivering them around the Sunshine Coast.
I have no hidden agendas and I do not seek recognition or did it to get votes with my community involvement. I believe that volunteering is a selfless act that benefits both the recipient and the giver. It provides a purpose, helps meet new people, makes a difference, and is healthy for the mind and body.
Although I have no political background, I can relate to my community because I am part of it. I am a hard worker, passionate, wear my heart on my sleeve and am committed to taking action in Division 1.
My colour orange represents “action”. As I have lived in many different communities, I can connect with each of them in some way.
I am not going to be based at the Maroochydore Office as my division is not in that area. Instead, I will be out in my division, holding regular community get-togethers to discuss any issues and provide feedback on Council decisions affecting both residential and business communities.
I will be continuing my door-knocking as I believe it’s an invaluable way to get feedback.
Question 2:
What is one thing you would do to encourage local economic development, support small businesses, and enhance job opportunities within our division?
To support the growth and prosperity of my division’s community, I plan to work closely with EDQ on local economic development but also conduct a needs assessment to gain a better understanding of the specific challenges faced by small businesses and job seekers in the area. Based on the findings, I will design targeted programs and services to meet their needs.
One of the key initiatives will be to create a resource hub for small businesses and job seekers. This hub will provide assistance with various resources, such as grant applications, resume building, and business planning.
To ensure the success of this initiative, I will establish partnerships with education providers, other local businesses, government agencies, financial planners for small businesses, and job seeker assistance providers. This way, we can connect job seekers with local employers looking to hire, and provide valuable resources to support small businesses.
Overall, I believe that this initiative will serve as a valuable resource for the community and contribute to its overall growth and prosperity.
Stan Nawrocki
Question 1:
I’m Stan Nawrocki, thrilled to announce my candidacy for Division 1 councillor. As your potential representative, let me share a bit about myself and my vision.
With nearly 51 years of marriage to Fay, our family is filled with love and joy, including four children and two grandchildren who keep life vibrant. My journey in community service started in 1998 as a Rotarian, now proud to serve with The Caloundra Pacific Rotary Club, including two terms as President. Professionally, I managed Caloundra Financial Planners until 2015, now running my own Mortgage Brokerage under CFP Homeloans.
Relocating from Ipswich to the Sunshine Coast in 2001, we fell in love with its relaxed lifestyle and vibrant community. We enjoy family time, travel, country music, and renovating.
To best represent our diverse community, I intend to:
- Host regular community meetings for direct engagement.
- Implement surveys and feedback mechanisms to gather resident input.
- Establish advisory boards with diverse community members.
- Utilize social media and digital platforms for real-time engagement.
- Partner with community organizations to address diverse needs.
- Maintain transparent communication through regular updates.
I believe these strategies will ensure I effectively engage with Division 1 residents and represent their diverse interests in decision-making. Thank you for considering me for this important role.
Question 2:
One significant initiative I would undertake to encourage local economic development, support businesses, and enhance job opportunities within our division is to establish a Small Business Development Centre (SBDC).
The SBDC would serve as a centralized resource hub offering guidance, mentorship, and support services to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses. It would provide assistance in areas such as business planning, financial management, marketing strategies, and accessing funding opportunities.
Additionally, the SBDC would facilitate networking events, workshops, and training programs tailored to the specific needs of local businesses. By fostering a supportive environment and providing essential resources, the SBDC would empower businesses to thrive and contribute to the economic growth of our division.
Moreover, I would actively collaborate with local stakeholders, government agencies, and business organizations to identify and address regulatory barriers, streamline processes, and create an enabling environment for business growth and job creation.
By establishing a Small Business Development Centre and fostering a conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and business expansion, we can stimulate economic development, support local businesses, and enhance job opportunities within our division.