Melva Hobson
It has been my privilege to be Mayor of this city for the last 4 years.
I have lived in the Redlands for 21 years. John and I have 2 adult sons and 2 gorgeous little granddaughters: one just starting school and one who has just celebrated her first birthday.
My career began as a teacher, continued through a number of senior public sector positions and proprietor of a small business in the Redlands, followed by my role as Mayor from 2008.
Since university, I have maintained a passionate interest in all things relating to the land. My public-sector roles were mostly related to land use and natural resources, and their relationship with our society. I also have broad experience of the workings of government and public administration.
I was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) in the Australia Day Honours in January 1995 for contribution to Landcare Education.
Why I am running again for Mayor
I have a solid track record of responsible economic management and community engagement. This includes four years of fixing past problems, consulting with the community and taking Redlands in the direction the community wants. That the job is not yet done and the Redlands cannot afford to change course mid-stream.
What we need is a continuation of responsible growth, long-term financial sustainability, a council for all people, and ethical government while protecting our wonderful Redlands lifestyle. We must ensure that our children and grandchildren are able to enjoy the lifestyle we enjoy.
I am the only mayoral candidate who can provide this.
What I am passionate about
I am passionate about Redland City, its great sense of community, its wonderfully diverse environment and its great cultural heart; its open spaces; its parks, sports fields and walking and cycling tracks. We are very fortunate to live in such a community and so close to Moreton Bay with its diverse wildlife and island communities.
My passion is for a community that it is engaged and participates in the decision making of local government. The community plan “Redlands 2030” is an example of where several thousand people contributed to the future direction of this city. It is YOUR plan and guides all council decision making.
I believe in transparency. This council has worked hard to ensure that it is transparent and that the community is well informed. Recently a resident researching information across local government websites said that the RCC website allowed access to far more detail than other councils.
What I believe council should be for our community.
Council should be accessible to all in the community, offer high levels of customer service, be fair in its revenue collection, be prudent and smart in its expenditure while ensuring that it looks after its assets, and be financially sustainable and people focussed.
I believe in an independent council free of party politics and not influenced by groups or individuals with vested interests. I am the only mayoral candidate able to provide this independence. I have not accepted donations from developers.
I want councillors to be fiercely independent in representing you in their divisions but working together for the city as a whole. This is a key role for the Mayor: Leading a group of independent councillors to work as a team for the good of the whole community.
I believe the mayor must be truthful, have integrity, be respectful of all, and represent you on the local, state and national stage with dignity and presence. These values have guided the way I have represented you over the last 4 years.
I will not make irresponsible populist promises that I cannot deliver on, such as capping rates, eliminating charges while at the same time expanding services and spending more. This is not possible. It is irresponsible and untruthful. I have and will work to ensure that council will continue to deliver the services our community wants but being very conscious that life is difficult for many in our community in these times.