‘We built the Coast’: Johnston pushes for a fair go for hinterland

Cr Johnston urged fellow councillors to support the hinterland which, historically, had helped build the Coast.

by Janine Hill

RE-ELECTED Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston has used his first speech in the new term of council to urge coastal residents to support the hinterland.

At the post-election meeting on 11 April, Cr Johnston pointed out that Nambour was once the hub of the Sunshine Coast.

“That was where you went to do your banking or see the solicitor or go to government departments and basically, the major shops were there, too,” he said.

“In those days, the people in the hinterland supported the fishing villages along the coast which are now the major part of the city, to receive basic facilities. 

“For instance, in Landsborough Shire, Maleny was actually larger than Caloundra back in the in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Maleny got the first water supply before Caloundra.

“Things have changed, and I’d just like the people in the coastal strip to realise that they have a duty to ensure that the hinterland is looked after. And that in the past, probably before most of them came here, the hinterland people actually looked after the coast and helped build it.”

Cr Johnston said making a difference in Landsborough and Maleny during his years as a councillor on Landsborough Shire and Caloundra City councils – prior to his election to the Sunshine Coast Council – had inspired him to keep going.

“Those two towns had less than about 200 or 300 metres of curb channel in the whole town, and at the end of my term they were almost, if not totally, completely curb and channelled. (We had)  drainage put in and streets bitumened, widened and in some cases, new streets constructed. And it was things like that that really has given me the impetus to want to continue to serve my community,” he said.

“I want the community that I serve to be a better place for my having served it. 

“We can’t always do what everybody wants. There’s just not enough money to do it. 

“But I have made significant commitments to my community in the areas of building community, improving my community, looking after the environment etcetera, etcetera. 

“And I’m pleased – in fact, I’m quite thrilled – to be re-elected for a second term on this council.”

Cr Johnston rated the recent election campaign as his “toughest” against two strong opponents. He said some difficult issues had been “lobbed” onto his plate but was grateful to have the support of the voters.

He thanked his wife, family and people who had been supportive of him.