Announcement – Danny Gibson, 26 August 2022
Danny Gibson will stand for Mayor
Deputy Mayor Danny Gibson has announced that he will contest the position of Mayor of the City of Launceston at the upcoming local government elections.
Following Albert van Zetten’s announcement that he will be stepping aside after 15 years as Mayor, Cr Gibson said he had been swayed by grassroots supporters urging him to present himself as a candidate for the position.
Cr Gibson was first elected to the City of Launceston in 2011 and elected Deputy Mayor in 2018.
He said he was ‘unashamedly and relentlessly optimistic’ about the future of Launceston.
“Our great city’s best days are ahead of us,” Cr Gibson said.
“Launceston is a growing regional city, one that is consistently recognised on the national stage for the quality of life it offers its residents, its wonderful tourism attractions, its growing cultural sector and its world-class produce and dining experiences,” Cr Gibson said.
“We have so much more to achieve together. To capitalise on the opportunities before us, it will be critical for our next Council to be energetic, innovative, flexible and open to change.
“What I bring to the position is a renewed enthusiasm for building consensus around the Council table and in the community, to be guided by evidence when making decisions, and to be open to the opportunities and possibilities Launceston will face over the coming term.
“I hope that in my career inside local government and outside of it, I have demonstrated to our community my ongoing passion for Launceston, my enthusiasm and drive, my work ethic, and my ability to secure outcomes for our city.
“Launceston has an exciting future – ensuring our CBD is a more accessible, more functional and livelier place, with a growing night-time economy, more street art and an enhanced commercial sector.
“We need to pave the way for more residential housing stock and to examine ways to grow our city by cutting the red tape on future residential housing developments on the outskirts of Launceston.
“We need to build our economy by supporting our local businesses in new and creative ways.
“We need to continue the work of the Launceston City Deal. It is seeking to achieve strategic, multi-generational improvements in the health of the kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary, to improve the lives of residents in our northern suburbs, and to explore emerging technologies that can make Launceston a more connected place.
“We need to leverage our unique cultural institutions like the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and Princess Theatre, alongside northern Tasmania’s unique and colourful events, to showcase what our region has to offer the rest of Australia and the world.
“I have been fortunate in my career in local government to have had strong grassroots support from our community, and to have worked alongside outgoing Mayor Albert van Zetten who has taught me a great deal.
“I value the importance of working in partnership with others, listening carefully to opposing views, and making evidence-based decisions even when they may not be popular.
“I very much look forward to leading a new future-focused City of Launceston Council, working alongside a new Deputy and with our wonderful staff, as Launceston embarks on its next exciting chapter.
“My commitment in presenting myself as a candidate is to support appropriate development, to champion sustainable and proportional fiduciary management for our city, and to be a diligent, hardworking and positive contributor to the issues that matter most to the future of Launceston.
“Launceston is an incredible city and working in partnership with our community, I look forward to being part of its next chapter; ensuring it remains open for business, alive to the opportunities around us, and engendering excitement for its future among those of us who live here.
“In putting myself forward, I intend to stay true to who I am. Dedicated, passionate, energetic and importantly, involved at the grassroots level. That is who I am.”
Media release – Beth Warren, 26 August 2022
Clarence Councillor Beth Warren standing for Mayor
Clarence Councillor Beth Warren has announced that she will be nominating for Mayor.
‘I want to give the people of Clarence a real choice,’ Beth said. ‘Someone who understands their concerns and represents their voice in decisions.’
‘I want Clarence to be a Council that works collaboratively for the best outcomes for the people who live here. That means appropriate scale development that doesn’t lock up our public spaces or impact on the amenity of neighbours,’ she said. ‘I’ve been a proud supporter of good development which keeps profits local and provides value to the people of Clarence.
‘With 191 kms of coastline, and several suburbs subject to flooding, we need to do much more to address the impacts of climate change by ensuring our stormwater infrastructure is fit for purpose. We need to plant more trees instead of clearing land for new subdivisions, to reduce our carbon footprint and to ensure that our communities remain liveable in increasing temperatures.’
‘I want to ensure that all residents of Clarence are seeing a decent return in their area for their rates, with access to recreational space and good public facilities, and well-maintained roads and footpaths.’
‘There’s much we can do to address the cost of living and the availability of housing, by helping ratepayers reduce their power bills by moving to renewable energy, and putting sensible caps on AirBnB properties which favour residents and “mum and dad” investors over accommodation entrepreneurs.’
‘During my four years as a Councillor on Clarence City Council, I’ve worked hard to share the business of Council so people understand what we’re doing, and why.
‘I’ve worked for a kinder, more inclusive, more environmentally aware Council through chairing the Disability and Inclusion Advisory Committee, the Natural Resources Management Committee and the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. I’ve kept an eye on risks as a member of the Audit Panel. I will continue to push for transparency and accountability in all council business.’
Beth said she was delighted to be joined by candidate Jade Darko in representing the Tasmanian Greens.
‘There are many political affiliations within the current Council. We’re just being honest about ours. By proudly stating that we are members of the Greens, you know that we stand for people over profit, protecting the environment, and transparent, accountable government.’
