Call on political future coming
DEPUTY Mayor and Division 1 Councillor, Rick Baberowski, says he will be making a decision on his political future within a fortnight.
The race for the division, which takes in booming hinterland towns including Beerwah, Landsborough and Glass House Mountains, as well as Caloundra South, is currently wide open with former chamber of commerce president, Jenny Broderick, nominating.
Ms Broderick officially launched her campaign on Sunday November 5 in front of about 50 supporters.
Just days later long-serving mayor, Mark Jamieson, surprised many by announcing he would not contest the next council elections, to be held on March 24, 2024.
“There comes a time when we all re-evaluate our priorities- and recognising the importance of our nearest and dearest has to be priority number one,” Mr Jamieson said at a snap news conference.
Incumbent Division One councillor, Mr Baberowski, has kept his cards close to his chest on his political future and when contacted by GC&M News, after Mr Jamieson’s announcement, stated that he would make an announcement on his political future in a week or two.
The mayoral position will come at a pivotal point for the Sunshine Coast, which is groaning under the growing pains of booming population growth, with nearly 200,000 more people expected to move to the region by 2040.
The 2032 Olympics and push for world-class transport infrastructure, including the contentious and as yet unfunded, Beerwah to Maroochydore rail line, will also dictate the direction the council takes in its own long-term transport plans.
Mr Jamieson said he would not be endorsing any particular candidate.
“Whoever nominates to be elected to our region’s most important role, I wish them all the very best,” he said.
