Hickey brushes up on her legacy

I believe I have considerably enhanced the working relationships of the aldermen — SUE HICKEY

HARDWORKING, committed, no-nonsense, productive and loved working for the city.

That is what outgoing Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey is hoping she will be remembered for, as she swaps Town Hall for Parliament House.

The “Lord Mayor of Loos” has hung up the toilet brush and handed over the reins to Deputy Ron Christie after yesterday officially resigning from her position as head of the council and as an alderman to enter state politics.

While the pet project of public infrastructure upgrades, such as improved public toilets, footpaths and rubbish facilities was what Ms Hickey hoped would be her legacy shortly after becoming Lord Mayor in 2014, when she defeated the incumbent Damon Thomas in the local government elections, she said she believed she would leave the council in a better position than when she entered as an alderman in 2011.

“I believe it is now an energised, productive and progressive council that has delivered some great infrastructure and policies to its ratepayers and the community,” she said.

“When I was an alderman I was frustrated by the distracting infighting that saw report after report sent back for more reports and nothing really got done.

“I believe I have considerably enhanced the working relationships of the aldermen allowing them to feel proud of their contribution in our ‘Transforming Hobart’ which is a $300 million, 10-year capital works program.

“The council has been a leader in the state in improving toilets, public amenities, parks, footpaths, pedestrian and cycling amenity, wayfinding and the commencement of two significant bridges for better connectivity through the Domain.”

And this doesn’t include the work done to progress a City Deal for Hobart — which Ms Hickey says will set up vital infrastructure to deal with traffic congestion, affordable housing, secure the university’s STEM project, an Antarctic Precinct at Mac Point and, potentially, light rail.

Not afraid to speak her mind, regardless of how those views might be perceived, Ms Hickey has been an intriguing presence in the local government sector over the past three years as one of its highest-profile figures.

She has supported changing the date of Australia Day and same-sex marriage, saying councils are far more than the three R’s of roads, rates and rubbish.

At the same time she hasn’t been afraid to go against the grain in the sector — and in her own council — in supporting a TasWater takeover, saying there should be greater controls on spending in councils and once quite bluntly described local government in Tasmania as “male, pale and stale”.

This has resulted in often deeply personal criticism, such as the trolling she received from an anonymous “parody” Facebook site.

Ms Hickey backed Ald Christie to hold the fort until the October elections.

“He and I have worked very well together and never had a major disagreement,” she said.

“I know he will keep a steadying hand on the council.”