General News
22 March, 2024
Back to basics for new mayor
NEW Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood wants the council to go back to the three Rs of roads, rates and rubbish.
Cr Millwood was declared the winner with 61.54 per cent (9965) of the 16,806 votes in the official first preference count on Wednesday, ahead of incumbent mayor Mark Nolan (38.46 per cent (6222).
The registered nurse is the Cassowary Coast’s first female mayor.
“I’ve been in council for four years, so only one term. I would’ve liked to do two but I thought that the Cassowary Coast needed a good change so I put my hand up,” Cr Millwood said.
“My main priorities are to finish all the major projects that got started and then I’d like to go back to our core business of roads, rates and rubbish, once we do that right we can worry about everything else,” she said.
“I was born and raised here in the Cassowary Coast, and I’ve been her all my life. I’m extremely passionate about my community and I’m a nurse by trade, worked at Tully medical centre for the last 15 years, and I’m very well respected and known in the community.
“What took me over the line to win this race was my honesty and straightforwardness, I don’t beat around the bush, I say it like it is and people like that.
“It was a very good race. I felt very positive the whole way through, people supported me, and I had a great team to help me along the way – it was a great experience.
“Cr Nolan was probably my biggest competition, but we ran a clean and fair campaign, everyone was amicable and there was no rubbish going on behind the scenes.
“I want to thank all of the community for trusting me and having faith in me.”
Having had a main focus on increasing community satisfaction through cost reduction, a focus on road management, better base rates and promotion of local business, Cr Millwood said she’ll continue to advocate for these as her priorities in office.
Cr Millwood said her main focus was the Cassowary Coast community and in her position as mayor she’d have their best interests at heart.
“I want everyone to know that we’ll be looking at the Cassowary Coast as one coast from Eubenangee to Cardwell,” she said.
“I really want to thank the community for having faith in me and voting and my family for standing behind me.”
