General News
2 October, 2024
Traeger hopefuls make their case to North West council leaders
Robbie Katter, Yvonne Tunney and Georgia Heath were at the Julia Creek forum.
With less than four weeks to go until the state election, the campaigning is well and truly under way for the candidates of Traeger, who last week pitched themselves to council leaders from across the North West.
Incumbent MP Robbie Katter from KAP, LNP candidate Yvonne Tunney and Labor hopeful Georgia Heath attended a candidates forum in Julia Creek, hosted by the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils.
The two-hour session, which was moderated by North West Weekly editor Matt Nicholls, gave the candidates 10 minutes each to speak freely, before they were subjected to questions from all of the councils.
Newly-elected NWQROC chair Barry Hughes said he was pleased that the three main candidates took the time to get to the forum.
“They all spoke really well and seemed to be across the issues,” the Etheridge Shire mayor said.
“I think the candidates would have walked away with a good sense of what some of the key issues in the region are.”
Roads and rail, telecommunications, health, housing and the cost-of-living were considered to be the biggest talking points, while ensuring the future of Mount Isa was also considered a priority.
Cr Hughes, who replaced Jack Bawden as NWQROC chair, said he would ensure the voices of all member councils would be heard.
“I am acutely aware of the importance of economic development to sustain the communities and industries across the vast region,” he said.
“I believe collaboration and partnerships are vital to capture and leverage opportunities on matters such as strategic road upgrades, water infrastructure development, tourism networks and the like.”