10 March 2008
Cairns Newspapers
Editor: Corina Angel-Dzubiel
Dear Corina
Re: Subject: Questions
My credentials are a back ground of owning or managing business most of my working life: includes Engineering, Spray Painting and Panel Beating, House Painting, Retail, Supermarket with Liquor Store, Hospital, Bakery, Teachers Training College Coordinator, Accounting, Credit Controlling. (In 3 different countries) I also speak PNG Language (Pigeon)
I feel the challengers faced by the elected councillor of my division will be the difference in working for the community in all aspects of community safety, infrastructure - drainage, water, electricity, roads, seniors, community harmony development, education and health.
The reasons why I chose to run for council again this term is, for the reasons stated above. I have been working for the community at a local government, state government and now federal government level since the 2004 elections. I contested the Division 5 electric as an independent in 2004 with a pole of 26.6%. In my opinion I feel comfortable with being an independent working for the people. I have not stopped working for the community for the past eight years on voluntary basis.
This earned me the medal award for the 2007 Regional Queensland Neighbourhood Watch member of the year, and the 2007 Far North Queensland Volunteer of the year award.
Currently work for the community and expand my investment in properties.
I will most definitely be a dedicated full time councillor as demonstrated above.
I stand for the people of the community, my policies are:
* Infrastructure – Drainage, Roads, Water, Electricity (Cairns City Council) CBD & Environs drainage management upgrade.
* Community Neighbourhood Watch and Community Safety Program expand to areas in division 5.
* Member of policy making within the community of the West Cairns Capacity Building Group – “Walk with me Program” launched by the Desley Boyle MP on 22nd February 2008.
* OWLS: Cairns Owls – Older Wiser Living Safely Program for the senior members of the community in Partnership with the Cairns Safety Communities Program.
* Achieved truancy in schools. I will continue to uphold the truancy laws for educating the children of the community.
Community issues and outcomes:
* Flooding in the Division 5 area: * Outcome - instrumental in achieving the Fisheries Tribunal through the Cairns Supreme Court. This resulted in the construction of the Detention Basin in Kanimbla and widening of Moody Creek from Cochrane Street to Alfred Street crossings in Mooroobool / Manunda areas.
* At the same time, I obtained State Government subsidy funding for the Detention Basin to the size of a Q10 (one in ten year flooding)
* No Street numbering for emergency services: * Outcome – achieved kerbside numbering for the Mooroobool/ Manunda Neighbourhood Watch area comprising of 1,400 residents.
* Inefficient Lighting at intersection * Outcome - achieved installation of 13 street lights at the intersection of Swallow and Cochrane Streets, Mooroobool.
* Crime issues: * Outcome achieved installation of 8 flood lights Ronto Park and Moody Creek Reserve to combat crime ( No crime reported in Murray Street since middle of May 2007).
* Unsupervised children roaming the streets during school hours. * Outcome – Truancy in 5 schools (children attendance improved) – reduced break-and-enters, improved safety, along with educating the children. A law has been passed any parent not sending their children to school will have monies deducted from their welfare benefits.
* State Housing issues: * Outcome - Department of Housing and Police working together to uphold a better standard of public housing, and reduce crime.
* Safety issues. * Outcome - “5 ways to safety program” through the Mooroobool / Manunda Neighbourhood Watch – Community Safety Project (3 year program) was launched at Kedron, Brisbane 2007, and taken to Wellington, New Zealand in 2007.
*Department Coordination: * Outcome - achieved coordinating all Emergency Services with Cairns City Council in Disaster program.
*Community Issue with Manoora Community Centre: * Outcome – Community Centre back to the community, and introduce several educational programs for the community.
*Community issue with Federal funding reaching the members of the community in Cape York: * Outcome – Achieved 19 Community Councils to sign a Memo of Understanding with the State Government to be responsible for Federal funding. (First time ever in decades).
* Community concern re: hospital list:* Outcome Instigated the development of a new hospital with extra medical staff .And push for the Complete Cancer Care Precinct for (COUCH) to be established.
* Community issue from Sunshine Coast: * Outcome - achieved results of a grave issue at Gordonvale.
* Community Safety Issues: * Outcome-5ft high fence on 2 sides of “Kingsford Lodge” retirement.
City area along with night patrols of police and security.
* Youth unable to play basket ball: * Outcome - 15year old girl to be chosen into a Basket Ball Team.
* Drug Issue: * Outcome – a young girl off drugs for over four years now and has been fully employed the full four years.
* Suicidal: * Outcome – supported a man not to commit suicide, now helping others.
* Safety, Community CPR: * Outcome – organise Cardio Resuscitation (CPR) training program for the community each month.
* Community Flooding: * Outcome – achieved all mangroves to be removed from saltwater creek, Edge Hill.
* Community Safety: * Outcome – 20 more Police for regional Queensland.
* Closure of Library: * Outcome – Lobbied for the completion of the New Manunda Library due to open this month.
* Talk of selling off community park:*Outcome – Saved Hayward Street Park, Mooroobool and obtained playground equipment.
* Community Safety: * Outcome - Upgraded Murray Street Park.
* Crime issues: * Outcome - Instigated safety of 118 Murray Street with Department of Housing and Police with access through the unit complex.
* Over crowded parties: * Outcome - Capped, out of control parties in Mooroobool.
* Traffic Issue: * Outcome - Street line markings, McCoombe and Callum Streets.
* Flooding in areas of Mooroobool and Manoora: * Outcome cleaning of blocked drainage pipes with Cairns City Council.
* Seniors isolation:* Outcome – Working on Senior’s Program for the welfare of the aged community.
* Flooding issues: Lobbing for Moody and Chinaman Creeks and Swallow Street drain and crossings to be upgrades.
* Safety issue: * Outcome – achieved the upgrade of Spence Street.
The constituency in Division 5: are saying they need a grass roots person as their councillor.
Hot button: I see my main task as a voice and working with everyone in the community – the PEOPLE - the RESIDENTS – the BUSINESS COMMUNITY – the RATEPAYERS – the AGED – the CHILDREN – the GRASSROOTS people of DIVISION 5.
Opinion on the Cairns Plan: I see the CairnsPlan as relative to most areas, this can always be improved with the development increasing so rapidly the CairnsPlan has to be upgraded on a regular basis eg; contributions to head works down stream to ALL developments.
Sustainable building practice: Boundary setback from existing dwellings, not to create water problems, light etc. Drainage is a big problem from developments.
To sustain an outcome for everyone the drainage systems in the entire area of Cairns should be upgraded first.
Tourism: Cairns is a highly recommended tourism destination in Queensland. This has to be sustained with operators giving value for money and to keep the promotions in the spot light at all times.
Population growth: Cairns is a beautiful place to live, to keep this balance the infrastructure in all aspects, Water (Dam) Electricity, Roads (over passes, slip lanes) Drainage (with detention basins, enlarged and cleaned out on a regular basis).needs to be upgraded as it stands now it is behind Development with the population growth and development.
Cairns in 5 years: Population growth will still come, it is of my opinion it will slow down a bit to a more even growth with more sustainable infrastructure, and infrastructure is the key to a good managed and planned city. Consulting with engineers on every building as engineers are up to date with modern technology changes at all times. Engineers are the best source of information.
Source financial funding from every available government body to upgrade Cairns to where it should be. I am led to believe by the year 2020 half the population of Queensland will be 50 years of age plus.
Iconic legislation and amalgamation: Legislation is introduced to be upheld at all times.
Amalgamation impact: is a hugh task as the diverse environments meld into one city, each issue as it arrises have to be discussed and dealt with in accordance to its merit.
Opinion on whom for Cairns Mayor: This is a very personal question; it will be up to the community to decide who they prefer to run our beautiful city.
If I am voted in Council I am willing to work with any person who is elected in the mayoral position for the betterment of the Cairns community.
Message to residents of Division 5 and Cairns: I have worked right across the board with the residents and governments of Cairns, Brisbane, Canberra and Regional Queensland for the past eight years. I see my main task as Division 5, and Cairns as a whole of program.
Yours sincerely
Thelma Spelta,
DIVISION 5 CANDIDATE
(INDEPENDENT)
I had the meanest mother in the world. While the other kids had lollies for breakfast, I had to eat cereals and toast. While the other kids had cans of drink and lollies for lunch, I had to have a sandwich. As you can guess, my dinner was different from other kids too – as well as the food, we had to eat it at the table and not in front of the television.
My mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were in a chain gang or something. She had to know who our friends were, where we were going, and she even told what time we had to be home.
I am ashamed to admit it, but my mother actually had the nerve to break child labour laws. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, make our beds, and even learn how to cook.
That woman must have stayed awake all night just thinking up things for us kids to do. She always insisted that we tell the truth. The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
By the time we were teenagers, our whole life became even more unbearable.No tooting the car horn for the girls our family to come running. She embarrassed us by insisting that the boys come to the door to get us.
I forgot to mention that most of our friends were allowed to date at the mature age of 12 or 13. Our old fashioned mother refused to let us date before we were at least 16.
She really raised a bunch of squares. None of us kids were ever arrested for shoplifting or busted for dope. And who do we have to thank for this?
You’re right – Our Mean Mother.
Every day we hear cries from both our people and politicians about what our country really needs.
What our country really needs is - MORE MEAN MOTHERS LIKE MINE!
Thelma Spelta
Hayward Street
Mooroobool
12/2/2007
4 March 2008
Cairns Sun
As a member on several organisation committees, I would like to start with a big thank you to all the voluntary organisations that are supporting the COUCH Foundation. It is a credit to everyone involved, as 3rd Vice President of the Lions Club of Cairns, and strong supporter of COUCH. It is pleasing to see the generosity from the public and businesses alike. Thank you to Mr Woodward for his donation of land, you are a true Australian. This is a marvellous gesture of good will.
With the amount of funds raised so far through the COUCH foundation, and the land donated, Federal Government have made a commitment, now all that is left to achieve the goal, is funding from the State Government.
A Complete Cancer Care Precinct, and an asset to the people of Regional Queensland, as speaking for Regional Queensland, people should not have to go to Brisbane for treatment, away from their loved ones and support networks. With the population of Cairns, and growing every day these services are urgently required.
A local Bank has recently donated $5,000.00. This shows the spirit of the community and businesses working together.
Thanks to Liz Plummer who’s call for a helping hand prompted the whole exercise to get off the ground, good work Liz, and a credit to you and all the supporters.
I would urge people to donate to this worthy cause.
Thelma Spelta
Hayward Street
Mooroobool.
thelmaspelta@bigpond.com
10th January 2008
Cairns Sun
127 Anderson Street
Manoora Q 4870.