Focusing on basics: Walsh outlines ‘representative’ vision
Policeman Peter Walsh says environmental design will help make Nambour CBD safer.
POLICE officer and army reservist Peter Walsh has nominated for division 10 with the aim of plugging gaps in lifestyle and infrastructure to make it easier for people to engage in their community.
“The reason I’m here today is that I’ve seen the gaps and I just couldn’t sit there any more and look at those gaps in our lifestyle…,” Mr Walsh told a meet the candidates event at Nambour.
“The thing I look at is ability to engage in our community, engage in our environment, to engage in our purpose, and when we do that, we find that mental health (problems) will go down, our health will improve, and our comfort and our enjoyment of our environment will increase.”
Mr Walsh said difficulties accessing transport or waste management services could hinder people from engaging in the community. “I want to bring the council, for the next term, back to the basics, and those basics are key infrastructure, community safety, engagement, waste management and timely maintenance. Because I’ve seen in 25 years a massive growth within particularly the hinterland, and it has come at a cost to our lifestyle.”
Mr Walsh advocated for the use of environmental design to improve community safety and promote community engagement.
“When I hear people come to Nambour and say they won’t come back because they’re frightened over some activities or just because it’s too dark at night time or whatever the situation is, environmental design will fix that.”
He said he wanted to be a community representative, not a politician.
“I think we’ve all had enough of politicians. Really, I want to be your representative, the representative is the person who will stand for you, and will advocate for you, and will stand solid, and will argue, and negotiate, and collaborate with all key stakeholders to achieve a solution.”
Reader’s Question on getting hinterland’s fair share
Penny asked: Do you think the hinterland gets its fair share of Council funding compared to the Coast? If not, what would you do to change that?
Mr Walsh: I wholeheartedly agree that it is imperative to amplify our voice to compel the council to address the hinterland’s needs and rectify existing gaps. Essential projects like road upgrades, footpath extensions, and playground enhancements must be treated as major projects and funded accordingly. I will strongly advocate for additional funding within the major projects program to address crucial infrastructure deficiencies, such as upgrading dirt roads to sealed ones, filling in missing footpaths, and both renovating existing and constructing new playgrounds. A significant investment is necessary to bring the hinterland up to the standards observed in newer developments. The incoming council must recognise the urgency of investing in the hinterland, especially after years of prioritising coastal developments. I am deeply committed to supporting measures to enhance community safety, improve waste management, bolster key infrastructure, and maintenance. Additionally, I am dedicated to advocating for the advancement of small businesses, community organizations, sporting groups, and services.