General News
13 April, 2024
Shire’s deputy contest
THE first post-election Douglas Shire Council meeting turned into a Mossman versus Port Douglas debate in the fight to appoint a deputy mayor.
Re-elected Cr Roy Zammataro, of Newell Beach north of Mossman, was nominated by Cr Abigail Noli, of Mossman, while newly-elected Cr Damian Meadows, of Port Douglas, was put forward by Cr Michael Rees, also of Port Douglas, at the meeting on Tuesday.
Cr Noli said the council needed a deputy who was capable, experienced and who offered good quality advice as well as being a good sounding board for the mayor.
She said Cr Zammataro had proven to be a dedicated and hard-working councillor over the last two terms and had the experience, knowledge and capability.
Cr Noli said it was not about the postcode but the best person for the job.
But Cr Rees said retiring police sergeant Cr Meadows scored the most votes and it was traditional that the councillor who was the most popular became the deputy mayor.
He said appointing Cr Zammataro could divide the shire as both – he as deputy and Mayor Lisa Scomazzon – were “Mossman-centric”.
Cr Rees said Port Douglas deserved representation at the top and Cr Meadows would also be the only full-time councillor.
Cr Zammataro said when he was first elected he received the most votes but didn’t want to be deputy mayor as he didn’t have local government experience at the time. Cr Meadows said he had 25 years experience in governance as a police officer and was well respected by the community.
Cr Scomazzon said she was deputy in the last council and “didn’t do much” under the old regime.
She said she needed a deputy mayor that would “stand beside me, work with me”.
Cr Zammataro was elected new deputy three votes (Crs Scomazzon, Zammataro and Noli) to two (Crs Rees and Meadows).
In the meantime, Cassowary Coast Regional Council has appointed Cr Nicholas Pervan as their new deputy mayor.
It’s his second term on the council and he was re-elected unopposed.
Alongside the declaration of office for new Mayor Teresa Millwood were new councillors Peter Reed (division 1) and Ellen Jessop (division 2), as well as returning councillors Trudy Tschui (division 3), Pervan (division 4), Jeff Baines (division 5) and Renee McLeod (division 6).
Cr Millwood said she was looking forward to working with councillors to deliver priorities for the community.
“We need to get back to essential services and provide value for money so that our community is satisfied that they’re receiving the services they’re paying for,” she said.
“I’m committed to providing honest and reliable representation for the Cassowary Coast and will be available to anyone who wants to discuss their ideas and aspirations for our future.”
She said she was committed to working collaboratively with her colleagues to see their collective vision come to fruition in this term of council.
“A good leader can listen and understand, but a successful leader needs the support of their team and constituents who are willing to listen, and willing to accept change.”
At last week’s meeting, the council adopted the 2024-2028 list of councillor representation and portfolios and appointed councillors to various external bodies. Portfolios include:
Advocacy – Cr Millwood, development, planning and environment – Cr Baines, economic development and tourism – Cr McLeod, water and wastewater – Cr Reed, community, culture and liveability – Cr Tschui, infrastructure services – Cr Pervan, waste and resource recovery – Cr Jessop.
