Not many keen to tackle Hill

SEVEN months out from the next local government election and Mayor Jenny Hill appears to have potential opponents running scared.

There have been rumours about possible candidates but no one is publicly putting their hand up.

The closest we have to a challenger is Sam Cox, who seems lukewarm on the idea at best.

Mr Cox has indicated interest in having a shot at the role but is yet to commit.

The former LNP member for Thuringowa and failed One Nation candidate for the seat of Burdekin still has political ambitions and has publicly criticised Cr Hill’s leadership.

However, the prospects of him nominating against Cr Hill and then securing the necessary support to topple her look remote.

Cr Hill has only strengthened her grip on the mayoral robes during her second term in the role.

Despite some turbulent times, she has shown that she understands her community and they are responding to her leadership.

Cr Hill has weathered the potentially politically dangerous storm around Townsville’s water security.

Regardless of who deserves the credit for securing construction of the Haughton pipeline project, she will go down in history as the mayor who was in charge when the project was delivered.

Cr Hill also did a sterling job during the Townsville floods.

The emotional toll that event took on her was evident in the immediate aftermath but she showed strong leadership throughout a difficult time.

The biggest problem ahead for Cr Hill is likely to be dealing with a more divided council from March next year.

It is highly unlikely she will enjoy the support of all councillors as she has done for the majority of this term.

Winning the election may be the easy part. Leading a more divided council would pose a greater challenge.