TRC campaign list grows
EVEN more candidates are in the running for the Toowoomba Regional Council election, with two more residents entering the race.
Small business owners Rita Toledo Clarke and Michael Truskinger’s announcements this week have brought the field of candidates up to 20, including two for mayor and 18 for the 10 councillor positions.
While Mr Truskinger’s campaign is focusing on water security, fast rail development and sporting infrastructure, Mrs Clarke is running purely on advocacy for migrants and refugees.
Mr Truskinger, who is involved with community sports, said water security was his main issue.
He particularly took issue at how residents were still allowed to use sprinklers even on water restrictions.
“Our dams are below 32 per cent, we are on water restrictions but we’re still allowed to use garden sprinklers, so we’re still using too much water,” Mr Truskinger said.
“Yes, we’ve got a pipeline to Wivenhoe, but Wivenhoe is at 43 per cent.
“I’m no expert in water, but there are experts in these areas – the major thing is we need to get those experts to find out where to go and what to do on this issue.”
Mr Truskinger said the desire to see more investment in sport and recreation infrastructure was what drew him to run for council, pointing to the lack of public squash facilities as an example.
“The reason why I started to run is I’m involved with squash and hockey. We started a feasibility study (into squash) and found that there are no outdoor or indoor public squash courts in Toowoomba,” he said.
“It’s a major issue, because we’re lacking some general public issues, and we are becoming a fatter nation, so we’ve got to get this (right).
“We’ve got to get people more active and the best way to do it (is to build it).”
Mrs Clarke said she would be a voice for the migrant community if elected to the council, saying it was still facing a number of issues.
“The big problem is the health and wellbeing of migrants. There are plenty with health problems that they don’t seek help for, because of the language barriers.
“Language is a big problem also, because there are people who can’t speak English. (Good English skills) are the way they can find a good job.”
After it was pointed out that health, education and job prospects were usually handled by higher levels of government, Mrs Clarke said she would advocate for more investment in the region.
“If someone can bring that voice into the council, we can look deeper into the lives of migrants,” she said.