Keith Shares his views on the management Sovereign Islands.
Well this should be easy enough to read 😉 Keep an eye out for me and my Truck and stop to say g’day.
M E D I A R E L E A S E 26 Feb 2016
Put the power back on
The VMR (Volunteer Marine Rescue) first aid station on Stradbroke Island provides an essential service to the community. In the event of an accident, they are first on the scene and we all know that can be a life saving moment.
In September 2012, Gold Coast City Council cut off their power without notice and then advised that if a generator was used and somebody complains about noise, their lease would be in breach.
The volunteers who donate their time have had to get by with a solar panel that provides a dim light and enough power for their radios. Air-conditioning is just a memory.
It is hard to imagine that a group of public servants can behave like bullies but that is what has happened and it is simply disgraceful that such discrimination has occurred under these circumstances.
This is one of many happenings that point to an anti-boating bias within the Council administration and it is time for a change of that culture.
The Marine Action Group is conducting surveys with the industry and the boating community to achieve a united policy position to address the many concerns that have resulted from a Council that does not consult and as a result is out of step with the community.
President of Marine Action Group Inc. and now Division 3 candidate Keith Douglas said today “I am calling on Mayor Tom Tate to intervene and get the power reconnected without delay.”
It is time we stood up and be counted.”
ENDS
For further comment contact Keith Douglas
Mobile: 0419 650 091
Email: keith@keithdouglas.com.au
Website: http://keithdouglas.com.au
The industry survey is at:
http://marineactiongroup.com/boating/haveyoursay.php
M E D I A R E L E A S E
26 Feb 2016
Community & Marine Campaigner, Keith Douglas Nominates For Council
Community and marine campaigner, Keith Douglas has nominated as a council candidate for Division 3 running against the incumbent Councillor Cameron Caldwell.
Keith Douglas, the founding President of Marine Action Group Inc is well known for the long running battle with Gold Coast City Council that succeeded in getting food and beverage facilities reinstated at Tipplers.
Marine Queensland approached Keith in 2010 to be the Queensland Senate candidate for the Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party when the prospect of massive green zone closures around Australia threatened commercial and recreational fishing. There was no scientific basis to support these proposals. His vigorous campaign attracted national coverage and he just missed out on a Senate seat, ending up as the State runner up.
Sixty Minutes subsequently contacted Keith to be the spokesman for fishermen on the east coast of Australia in their coverage of the issue.
Keith Douglas said “at a local level there appears to be an anti-boating bias within the Gold Coast City Council administration and this needs to change. The marine industry and recreational boating enthusiasts need a voice in Gold Coast City Council. The experience I have gained from working closely with industry leaders as well as representing the boating public stands me in good stead for this role.”
Marine Action Group Inc is working with marine businesses and recreational boaties to develop a united marine policy position to be presented to all council and mayoral candidates for endorsement prior to election day.
ENDS
For further comment contact Keith Douglas
Mobile: 0419 650 091
Email: keith@keithdouglas.com.au
Website: http://keithdouglas.com.au
Monday 7 March 6:30 pm – Shannon’s Steak & Seafood restaurant in Coomera Waters
The other Candidates have been invited and the organisers will be inviting members of the broader community.
I’ll be there and look forward to meeting as many people as possible.
For more information please visit the Facebook event page
If you have some spare time and would like to join us as a volunteer, we need your help!!!
How can you help Division 3?
- Handing out how to vote cards at one of the several Voting Booths.
Volunteers are required on Election Saturday, the 19th of March 2016 and
- Handing out how to vote cards in the two weeks leading up to election Saturday. This is Mon to Fri at the pre polling booths located at: Div 3 prepoll location (Cnr Lindfield Rd and Sir John Overall Drive HELENSVALE)
All you need you to do is Contact US. Together we can make it happen – can’t we?
[contact-form-7 id=”207″ title=”KD1″]
Great to catch up with VMR Treasurer Jeff Lind and volunteer Julie-Anne Crossley at their Jacobs Well headquarters.
365 days a year and 24 hours a day a group of dedicated volunteers provide an invaluable service to boaties in need.
They receive very little assistance yet they are always there to help, even in the middle of the night.
On South Stradbroke Island, they have a first aid station and a base that badly needs support. It is hard to imagine that Gold Coast City Council cut their power off in 2012 without notice and then informed them that if they get any noise complaints from the use of a generator, that it would be considered a breach of their lease. This shows just how far out of touch the Gold Coast City Council is with the community. It is time for a change of culture.
They survive with one solar panel that keeps their radios going and provides a meager light in the night. They have not had air conditioning since 2012.
If I am successful in being elected (which I am working very hard at) then the VMR station near Tipplers in Division 3 will get the support it deserves.
We are very lucky to have people like this in our community. It makes me angry to hear reports like this so tomorrow, I will just have to get out of bed even earlier to chase those extra votes that might be needed to get across the line on election day.
Keith visits Paradise Point. Why I’ve nominated for Division 3.
