Carpentaria Shire Council mayor has announced he will recontest his position in the Local Government Election next year.
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In an interview with The North West Star on Monday November 25, Jack Bawden declared he would recontest for Mayor in 2020 as he still had work to do.
"This was my first term as mayor and I think as a Council we have done alright," Cr Bawden said.
"There is a lot of things that you can't fix or achieve in four years, hence my reason for another lap. Four years isn't long enough when you want to bring about change.
"We have a good Council and I would hope that the whole team that is in Council currently, throws their hat in the ring again next year."
With four months until ratepayers hit the polls, Cr Bawden said it was too early to start campaigning but there were projects he was highly passionate about including a Trade Skills Centre.
"The ultimate dream for this area would be to grow our own trades people and have them stay locally," he said.
"Kids go away to school and university but they don't come back, so if we could get some facilities here so you could actually retain trade skills in the area that would be great.
"It would be great to have a Trade Skills Centre in conjunction with our TAFE College, where they could do their study and block releases locally."
Cr Bawden said there was a lot of work that went into being a local government representative and those interested in becoming a candidate should look into it.
"If there are people interested in running for Council they should really look into the compulsory online training," he said.
"I believe it gives you an idea of the commitment required and what can and can't be done as a member of council.
"Ultimately it will come down to the integrity of the person and you don't buy that out of a shop."
Cr Bawden is the second Mayor to publicly verify his position for the 2020 Local Government Election, after McKinlay Shire Council Mayor Belinda Murphy said she would not run.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
