In the middle of the world's biggest public health crisis in a century, councils across Queensland are attempting to conduct their four-year election.
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On March 28 voters will be asked to decide on the make-up of their councils though record numbers have already cast their vote at pre-poll.
The elections are proceeding despite the COVID-19 crisis though it means that the candidates' messages have not cut through in ways they would have done in normal times.
The North West Star and ABC North West Queensland had planned a mayoral debate on March 25 to introduce the three candidates for the Mount Isa mayoral election but this had to be cancelled as bans came in on public gatherings.
Candidates were initially barred from handing out material at the Civic Centre pre-poll centre and then the candidates and campaigners were banned themselves as social distancing rules began to be enforced.
And with media occupied with covering the COVID-19 crisis, it has left the candidates and their teams looking to social media to fill the void.
Mayor Joyce McCulloch and her Progress Mount Isa team of the six current councillors were promoting recycling innovation,
"The new waste management facility is a great foundation for more new recycling activities, such as our all new REUSE Shop. We have secured funding to construct a Recycle Shop where someone's trash can become another person's treasure," they said.
Ms Slade's Mount Isa Community Team was promoting CopperString2.0 and the link-up with solar power.
"We see CopperString 2.0 project as one of the most important pieces of infrastructure to ever happen in our region. When CopperString 2.0 arrives on our doorstep, our town can then start selling solar power into the national grid," they said.
Mr Fletcher wanted to know what the Mayor's projection was for 10-year rate rises.
"Prior to the last election, the mayor did not know what it was," he said.
"But after the election when rates jumped she said it was a legal requirement to do a 10 year projection. Our plan with rates is simple, we will reduce them."
Pre-poll at Civic Centre is open til 9pm to Friday.
On Saturday you can vote 8am-6pm in Mount Isa at the following state schools: Spinifex Senior, Sunset, Central, Barkly Hwy, Happy Valley, Healy.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
