Councillor’s ‘power’ spot
GREEN councillor Katie Milne will be Mayor of the Tweed for the next two years but Labor councillor Reece Byrnes says he ultimately has the power to decide the direction of the shire.
The power, he said, comes from his position in the middle of extreme views, those from the Greens and those from the Liberal National Party.
The power was evident on Thursday night as Cr Byrnes’ vote gave Cr Milne the one she needed to stay on as Mayor for the next two years.
She had the support of environmentally inclined independents Cr Ron Cooper and Cr Chris Cherry.
Right-wing independent and National Party member of 47 years Warren Polglase received votes from likeminded independent Cr Pryce Allsop and Liberal Cr James Owen.
“Ultimately I think I do (have the power),” he said.
“Politically that’s where I sit, in the middle of the far left Greens and far right Liberal and Nationals.
“Both sides have put up what I would call extreme views at times but it is about finding the balance in that.”
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said the Tweed Shire needed to find the balance between conservation and development and Cr Byrnes was the one doing that within council.
“Every person on council is important because of how they vote but Rhys provides that pragmatic voice, he weighs up what is best for the area,” said Mrs Elliot, who employs Cr Byrnes as a political adviser.
“As a Labor perspective he is committed to jobs growth yet getting the balance right on development and preserving our environment.”
Cr Polglase said Cr Byrnes doesn’t have the power because he didn’t just vote for the Greens.
“Over the past 12 months he has voted conservative about two or three times,” he said.
“He doesn’t vote for job creating opportunities at all.
“I think he is endeavouring to promote that image which is totally wrong.”
Cr Byrnes said Cr Polglase can say that but his actions were different.
“Warren can make comments like that but there are a lot of times he has reached across the hall and approached me because I am the one who can get things done (and vote his way),” he said.
EVERY PERSON ON COUNCIL IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF HOW THEY VOTE BUT RHYS PROVIDES THAT PRAGMATIC VOICE, HE WEIGHS UP WHAT IS BEST FOR THE AREA.
RICHMOND MP JUSTINE ELLIOT