DIVISION TWO Candidates gathered at the Ballistic Brewery, Cannonvale, on Monday, October 28, for a ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum hosted by the Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce.
Christopher Harvey, Andy Camm, Dan Popovich and Clay Bauman gathered in a panel to answer pre-submitted questions relating to their stance on topical points in the region.
All four were allowed an allocated time for their introductions and two minutes to answer each question.
Questions asked included the candidate’s individual stance on Airlie Beach high-rise, traffic light implementation in the Cannonvale area, and how they will maintain open communication.
Dan Popovich and Clay Bauman arrived with planned speeches in tow, Andy Camm and Christopher Harvey decided to speak freely, with no notes prepared.
In their opening addresses, Mr Bauman said that he had never gone for a job that could directly affect the quality of life for so many people.
“This decision wasn’t made lightly,” Mr Bauman said.
“Before even announcing my candidacy, I contacted the State overseers of Local Government to check that, if voted in, I could be an effective representative on the matters I have had a strong personal opinion about.”
Regarding the controversial discussion of the Airlie Beach high-rise, Mr Bauman took a hard stance against it.
“For six years, I have upheld the view that our town plan didn’t need the removal of maximum building heights,” he said.
“We had a long-sustained period of growth under the old town plan, which allowed three stories on the beach, four on the Maccas side of Main Street and five within Waterson Way.”
Andy Camm was next to speak, talking about his wish for a retirement village in the area.
“One of the reasons I want to get involved with this council election or this opportunity, is being locally born; watching what’s happened here over the last 30 to 40 years has been very interesting,” Mr Camm said.
“One of the big things I’ve always seen in this shire is the division between the towns, which I never have understood.
“I would love to see a retirement village or an over 50’s lifestyle village.
“A big success on the Sunshine Coast is the over 50’s retirement village.”
Mr Camm also said he would like to see a High School built in the Cannonvale area.
Mr Popovich began his opening address by informing guests of his varied professional roles.
“After 15 years of establishing and operating a small business in the area, I have personal experience of the trials and tribulations of raising a family and running a business in paradise,” Mr Popovich said.
“It is vital that we don’t squander the natural beauty and resources that brought us here, for short-term gain but long-term loss.
“Which is why I believe we need the ongoing development, with a strategic plan for the shire, and why I believe the proposed high-rise in Airlie Beach should not pollute our skyline.”
Christopher Harvey was the final candidate to deliver his opening address, informing guests that he feels Airlie Beach, Proserpine and Cannonvale are all ‘home’.
“Ive been involved with the SES for the last five years,” Mr Harvey began.
“I’ve also been an auxiliary firefighter with QFES for the last 16 years.
“I was lucky enough to be awarded the Citizen of the Year, in 2018, with my work for the community, with the nursing home, and my work I did with the SES and emergency services after Cyclone Debbie.”
Mr Harvey is not taking a ‘for’ or ‘against’ side in the high-rise debate.
“I haven’t got an agenda, I’m not for or against high-rises.
“I’d like to see all the details on it straightaway, where it’s going to be, cost, the impact it’s going to have on the local community.
