General News
14 July, 2023
Eden to run for mayor
FIRST-term Cairns regional councillor Amy Eden is running for mayor next year.
Current Mayor Bob Manning is retiring at the next election and it is expected his deputy Terry James will also contest the city’s top job.
Cr Eden, who looks after division 5 which includes the Cairns CBD, announced her run for the mayoralty on Wednesday.
She said she was pledging a fresh and independent leadership with a focus on community engagement and open communication.
“I was lucky enough to be elected three years ago and I’ve had a lot of experiences that opened my eyes to the opportunities that lie before us in Cairns. Instead of sitting down and complaining I decided to run for mayor,” she said.
Cr Eden, who has called Cairns home for the past 20 years, will be going up against big names like Cr James with only one term as councillor under her belt but she said she had what it took.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could win,” she said.
“I’ve got a background in social work, I’ve worked in the government and not-for-profit sectors and I’ve proved myself as someone who can do a lot of hard work, communicate and connect with the community. Those are the attributes that our community wants.”
Now, she said she sought to bring her independent leadership, and care for the city to the role of mayor.
“I believe we can do things better. I was positional on the tenant tax, cash for council facilities and I didn’t endorse the budget,” Cr Eden said.
“Communication is one of the things that I believe council can do better and connecting with community, meaningful engagement. Our council meetings and workshops can be opened to the public so they can understand what’s on the table.”
Cr Eden said she recognised that the Unity Team led by Cr Manning achieved success in their first eight years in office but she lamented the inaction over the past four years.
“The Unity-led council has been asleep at the wheel, which was evident with the community’s uproar at the decision of taking cash from council facilities and their inability to read the room,” she said.
“I want to reinvigorate the mayoral position and the inclusive and transparent leadership in this town.”
