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Cameron O'Neil

Question 1:

The community have expressed significant concerns regarding the perceived lack of consultation, insufficient information disclosure, unquantified financial decisions, and overall lack of transparency in Council's actions, particularly concerning agreements like the one with REX airlines and asset acquisitions such as the old grain depot.
 
What process would you implement to ensure adequate consultation with community, as well as ensuring financially prudent decisions are being made within the chamber? 

I take my role of a Councillor very seriously. Councillors are entrusted by the community to manage, spend and invest every rate dollar wisely. 

 

I believe that the community must be consulted and that Council should be open and transparent. I always consult with the community on the things that matter. I have an open door policy - I’m approachable and accessible to all residents.

 

It is my strong belief that all significant financial decisions before Council should be accompanied by comprehensive financial impact assessments that outline the costs, benefits and financial implications for each decision.

Question 2:

RCAT recognises the vital role that businesses play in our regional economy and community. With this in mind, we're keen to understand your vision and proposed strategies for supporting our local business community into the future. Could you outline specific initiatives or policies you plan to champion to support growth, innovation, and resilience among our local businesses.

Over the past 12 years, as your Councillor, I have been a major supporter for our local businesses. Our regional economy depends on the strength of both our town and rural businesses. 

 

My view is council needs to apply initiatives and programs that directly support local business. The Business Excellence Program, the support towards the annual Maranoa Business Awards and the most recent investment into the Love, Local, Life project are three key investments that I will continue to support. Growing our region is a passion for me and the future council needs to champion and support this work. 

 

Partnerships are key if we are going to support our local business. Stakeholders like RCAT, TSBE and our small town community and progress groups are key to achieving, supporting and growing businesses.

Question 3:

As a councillor, the importance of having a well-defined set of personal values and ethics cannot be overstated. With this in mind, how do you intend to equip yourself with the necessary information and understanding to form your own position on important issues before voting? Additionally, what strategies do you have in mind to actively contribute within the chamber to ensure that decisions lead to impactful and beneficial outcomes for our communities?

For me making decisions on behalf of the community is the single most important role a councillor undertakes. I have and will apply the highest level of due diligence before I vote. 

In my experience, Council works best when it is open to all perspectives, with open minds and are flexible to come up with the best outcomes for our community. 

I also seek opportunities to continue to learn and improve so that I am in the best possible position to ask the questions and inform myself.

Question 4:

Both RCAT and Maranoa Regional Council (through the APLNG Liveability Fund) have jointly invested significant funds and time over the past 12 months to support regional liveability initiatives.  We are keen to hear your perspective on enhancing liveability and attracting and retaining a local skilled workforce. In your view, what are the key strategies or initiatives that our local council can undertake and/or support to improve the overall quality of life for residents, while also making our region more attractive to workers and ensuring they choose to live local and remain within our communities.

When it comes to growing our region, attracting workforce and retaining staff:

  •        I will continue to advocate to make our region more family friendly, investing in our parks, gardens, pools,                 footpaths and each town’s CBD.

  •        I believe Council should return to conservative management of Council’s finances - keeping rates as low as             possible, whilst sustaining the future of our region.

  •        I want to see investment driven into our region to back local business, create jobs and opportunities for each         town.

  •        I believe in strengthening our agriculture, tourism and education industry bases.

  •        I also support finding bricks and mortar solutions to our regions housing crisis.

 

I am the inaugural chair of the Maranoa Country Universities Centre and I am proud of the role it plays in enhancing opportunities for residents to undertake higher education locally, while also adding to the liveability of prospective residents too. While my role is now independent of council, the backing of Maranoa Regional Council has been imperative to the success of CUC Maranoa. 

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