Focus on economy
RE- ELECTED mayor Jenny Hill will shift her focus quickly to COVID-19 economic measures as election counting comes to an end.
Cr Hill declared at lunchtime yesterday, sitting comfortably with about 50 per cent of the vote.
SELF- DECLARED mayor Jenny Hill will shift her focus quickly to COVID-19 economic measures as election counting comes to an end.
Without postal and telephone votes being counted, Cr Hill declared at lunchtime yesterday with just over 50 per cent of the vote.
Mayoral hopeful Sam Cox had about 27 per cent of the vote as of yesterday.
Greg Dowling had secured about 18 per cent and Chris Eastaughffe had secured less than 5 per cent. But now the incumbent will focus on trying to secure Townsville’s economic future despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Cr Hill described the election as the “strangest” she’s ever been a part of with strict guidelines in place for candidates and voters.
“There is no doubt that this will be the most difficult term that any council or any state member will face, or any Federal Government in living memory,” she said.
“It’s really important that we all work together, we really need to maximise any opportunity for the city of Townsville and its people and I’m happy to work with (Member for Herbert) Phillip Thompson … anyone who will help us maximise jobs here in the North.” Cr Hill said coronavirus would be the council’s top priority, with some of her election promises taking a back seat as the council does its bit to contribute to stabilising the economy.
“We’ve got a range of things we really need to look at … after June 30, how we deal with our promises, we will make that known to the community,” she said.
Cr Hill said she expected the Jenny Hill Team would take all 10 divisions, but added Division 2 was the biggest concern.
Only 25 per cent of the vote has been counted in Division 2, with Sue Blom leading the race. However, Team Jenny Hill member Nanette Radeck has more than 40 per cent of the vote.
“We don’t seem to have as many votes cast in Division 2 as we have in the other divisions and I’m curious about why that is,” Cr Hill said.
Mr Cox congratulated Cr Hill on her win, and said this was it for him in politics.
Mr Cox said his percentage of the vote, which currently sits at about 25 per cent, was nothing to be ashamed of.
He said it was obvious from the votes half of Townsville wanted change, but the votes were split between three different candidates.