Hi, this web site was about the issues, history and aspirations of both my community and myself as a candidate in the March 2008 local elections, for the amalgamated Douglas and Cairns City Council. As a candidate it was a prerequisite that I hold insightful views across a large range of issues. You’ll find detailed discussions on the views I hold on these issues and more listed down the margin to the left. Pick one of interest. Its important that the winning candidate has the capacity to cope with the workload and understand variety of perspectives that eight former councillors in this division once held before amalgamation. So if you have a moment, read before you vote.

The loss of representation means the single councillor who is chosen must yield a unique capability. You will find my resume, interests, achievements and even my failures are candidly discussed in the chapter, ‘Who is Rod Davis?’.

My successes in boosting the tourism sector interests are laid out in detail. My green credentials are covered in several chapters, from the natural environment to climate change. I’m certainly no fake hiding behind a ‘green wash’ veneer. Aside from my political aspirations in the local area, I am currently devoting time to a marine sustainabilty project named Trybrid. While presently still at the design stage, the project yields much potentional, with expressions of interests stemming from academic, government and corporate sectors.

 

My plans for the extreme make-over of Port Douglas and Mossman’s CBD are well detailed and backed by credible financial plans. The social compassion embodied in my humanist view is revealed in chapters dealing with social services, Yalanji, and Tsunami aid work outcomes. My business experience and built environment qualifications have had a big impact on the Shire’s new town plan, a plan which took out an award by the Queensland Institute of Planning. I’m an experienced professional, qualified by the UNSW’s Faculty of Architecture. I live in Port Douglas, and work in Palm Cove as a consultant manager to the tourism sector. I have two children of my own who are both currently studying tertiary degrees in Brisbane.

Although I prefer to take on local issues with a degree of seriousness, my wacky sense of humour and intrigue can be heard by anyone who listens to my weekly (although presently daily) morning radio talk show. Once a cruising sailor of ocean crossing expertise, I’ve represented Port Douglas for 3-4 years in the DSC. I constantly find myself leading the debate on new ideas, evident in the countless motions put forward by myself in what has been a divisive and rough final term of the Douglas Shire.

A departure from the traditional idea of a Douglas Shire Council has brought uncertainty amongst Palm Cove and Clifton as to what should be expected from a northern based neighbor. The writing and photography used to assemble this web site is yours to use as part of an informed electoral decision facing the new Division 10, and if all that voters are offered during the election, is a smiling core-flute, and a few two-liners in the print press, we are not being well informed. I’m no party hack, but sorry, and with no disrespect levelled at these political parties, whether it be Labor, Liberal or their local government shadows, I feel there is a very strong argument favoring the view that says a strong, articulate, independent leader is needed for the new Douglas/ Palm Cove constituency. For example, when the inevitable nasty issue of raising some of Douglas’ sector rates to align with Cairns comes up mid 2008, would you prefer your councillor to tow the party line, or fight for his own constituents? Mainstream political parties just aren’t suited to such a diverse and unique regional area facing such a composite of local issues.

I would prefer not to actively criticise the policies of competing parties, when, at the end of the day, I would rather try and find a unifying view that takes from the best of the varying perspectives. Perhaps this sounds rather centrist on the political spectrum, but I suggest that the old mould of left vs. right is broken, and the issues of 2008 go well beyond this droll, worn out, party banter. Climate change is a classic example of where we as a mob need to find global unity on the issue, or our kids will suffer.

So anyway, I’m Rod Davis, and I am kindly asking you to consider my views, which I detail in full, and if you like them, well, vote Rod Davis. It’s as simple as that.

CONTACT ROD DAVIS: vote@roddavis.org
MOBILE 0418 235561, HOME 0740 994434, MAIL PO 714, Port Douglas, 4877.

Authorised by R.Davis,9/9 Craven Close, Port Douglas, 4877