'Investing in water infrastructure vital moving forward' - Roy Zammataro Councillor candidacy statement

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Roy Zammataro has confirmed his candidacy for next month's local Government elections. Picture: Supplied

I’ve consistently held a deep commitment to enhancing the well-being of the Douglas Shire, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy for the upcoming 2024 elections, aiming to persist in my efforts to serve the community.

The recent Cyclone Jasper has underscored operational shortcomings, particularly in the realm of water services.

For years, I’ve emphasised the necessity of investing in water infrastructure, but regrettably, these pleas have gone unheard.

The allocation of millions of ratepayer dollars to purchase an aging ferry took precedence over addressing our outdated water system.

Had these millions been used to update our water system and initiate work on our second water intake we would not have been in the unfortunate situation that we faced where residents and businesses went without water for days.

Water pipes are buried in the ground and are out of sight, out of mind for some.

If re-elected, I am committed to advocating strongly for the fulfilment of ratepayers’ basic needs.

Living in an area prone to cyclones and flooding necessitates a proactive approach, focusing on prevention rather than cure.

Mitigation measures, such as pruning trees posing a risk to power lines during cyclones, stabilising slopes adjacent to roads to minimise landslips, flood-proofing our roads, and ensuring timely maintenance of drains and waterways should be a priority.

I believe hosting public forums at various locations throughout the shire to discuss the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper would benefit the Council, fostering dialogue on areas for improvement and strategies to reduce the impact of future events.

I successfully proposed a motion for the Council to seek expressions of interest from private enterprise to once again own and operate the Daintree ferry.

This move aims to alleviate the financial burden on ratepayers and ensure a continued, safe and reliable service for residents north of the Daintree River with a new ferry.

It’s vitally important that Council continues to work together with the agriculture and tourism industries as they are our largest employers.

My involvement in various volunteer organisations underscores my strong connection to the Shire and I believe that transparent leadership, inclusive of all elected members and public input is essential for the thriving future of the Douglas Shire.