3 October 2022
Published 29 April 2020
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery has vowed to restore trust in local government and create a culture of transparency and accountability by taking council to the people.
Not only was today’s meeting live streamed with voting for Deputy Mayor conducted publicly for the first time, Mayor Flannery began the new Council term by moving to reject the approved 2 per cent pay increase for the Mayor and Councillors.
“There are plenty of locals who don’t have the luxury of a job right now, let alone the luxury of a pay rise,” he said.
“Once we’ve got this region back on track and locals back to work, then we will have done our job as a Council and then we will have earned that pay rise.
“This isn’t politicking, it’s simply the right thing to do.
“Most of you know I have a military background and in the military we had a saying: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about this since COVID-19 broke out.
“We’ve seen businesses improvise. We’ve seen families adapt. Now it’s the responsibility of Moreton Bay Regional Council to help our region overcome a pandemic and overcome the economic challenges ahead.
“As a leader I pride myself on integrity, honesty and teamwork. I have every confidence that this new council team will be united in their resolve to drive big, bold outcomes .
“I will rely on the experience of the six returning councillors to provide advice and stability; and I look to our six new councillors for fresh ideas, energy and community insight.
“But while we’re responsible for driving a new Council philosophy, there is one tradition from Councils past that I’d like to continue into the future – and that’s the prudent fiscal management that’s become the DNA of Moreton Bay.
“Our predecessors delivered nine consecutive budgets in operational surplus and built a war chest to ensure this Council could respond decisively, effectively and immediately if disaster ever struck.
“Sadly, that day is here. So today I asked Councillors to go back to their communities to talk with people and find out what they’re thinking, then bring back the boldest ideas for economic recovery to this Chamber.
“That’s how we’re going to start writing this first chapter for our new Council.”