Leigh will be a great representative and tireless advocate for the people of Edmonton and Bentley Park:
Forest Gardens Hills Saved! Lets not go back to inappropriate development of Unity!!!
24/04/2012 — The Rock NewsCairns Councillor Rob Pyne, has welcomed a transfer of ownership of some South Cairns hill slopes from a private owner to Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) under an agreement with Council.
Cr. Pyne said, “The transfer of 85 hectares of land at the foothills is just fantastic! It showed great vision by the former Mulgrave Shire Council to impose this requirement to protect the hills and this is one conservation measure that has the support of the whole community!”
“The land was part of the Delfin Lend Lease development, known locally as ‘Forest Gardens’.
Cr. Rob Pyne said, “It represents closing a loop for me at a personal level. My father was Mayor at the time this land was purchased from the Cannon Family for development.’
“Much of that land was valuable hill slope land and Council said to the new owner, “Fine, do your development, but when you are finished, we require you to transfer the higher land back to Council.” Well, that time has now come, and Council is happy to sign off on the transfer of this special land to DERM, to hold and protect on behalf of the people of Cairns!”
Mayor Val Schier also really needs to be given her dues on this issue. This is an area Val really needs to be given credit, she has lead strongly on protection of the Cairns Hills and Scenic Rim.
Hills at Earlville, False Cape and other areas have been protected by Council, by rejecting specific developments, and by the proactive step of back zoning 26 blocks of land to Conservation.
It really concerns me that if people vote for the Unity Team on Saturday, we will be turning the clock back to inappropriate development that has cost us so much and caused so many costly environmental probalems.
Like this:
Mike ‘Locco’ O’Loughlin Swaps Microphone for Door-knocker!
15/04/2012 — The Rock NewsCairns radio stalwart Mike “Locco” O’Loughlin has put down the microphone to run as an independent candidate for Division 5 in the Cairns Regional 
Council elections.
Locco–a familiar voice to many local radio listeners–said: “after countless heated discussions on local issues with friends and family it was a case of ‘put up, or shut up’, so I nominated.”
He said recent door-knocking throughout Division 5 suburbs, such as Manoora, Westcourt, Portsmith and the CBD, had crystallised his views on a range of issues affecting these areas.
“I’m running a very straightforward campaign, and my focus is to bring the community back to council,” Locco said.
“I’ve listened to residents and businesses talk about issues from street and home security, drainage and rates, and I’m keen to ensure their concerns are heard by Council,” he said.
Locco said he would focus on ensuring safety and security throughout Division 5, improved drainage maintenance as well as opportunities for small businesses.
“I think we can support tourism and small businesses by encouraging RV campers into Cairns, and I’d also like to stimulate Esplanade business by investigating evening closures to traffic.”
“I have a lot of ideas, but for the record we need an accountable and affordable Cairns Entertainment Precinct, as well as a reintroduction of the early payment rates discount.”
Like this:
Southside Residents Encouraged to Vote for Rob Pyne and Leigh Dall’Osto!
03/04/2012 — The Rock News
Ongoing Safety Campaign by TWU: Police and Council respond.
12/01/2012 — The Rock NewsCourtesy Win Television
Transport Workers Union (TWU) Present Council with Petition Outlining Safety Concerns!
Janine Aitken, the Regional Organiser for the Transport Workers Union (TWU) today presented Councillor Rob Pyne with a petition outlining safety concerns in the Cairns CBD.
Cr. Pyne, who Chair’s CRC’s Road Safety Committee, said the list of infrastructure improvements would be looked at by Council Engineers, but the scope of any works would depend on the status of Stage One of the Cairns Transit Network and the timelines of any . He said, “The requests include some routine maintenance issues the Council will consider.” However he cautioned, “We won’t be making significant changes there if the state are likely to tear it up as part of their project.”
Cr. Pyne concluded, “Over coming years there will be significant changes that will greatly enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, but clearly the answer must include safety education for cyclists and pedestrians as well. At the end of the day, safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
