Cairns Regional Council Election 2024
The Cairns Regional Council Election will take place in 2024 and Shane Cuthbert is well placed, as a politically active member of the Cairns community to comment on the many Cairns Divisional candidates and Mayor position up for grabs.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings, Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings and shares various networks with current and aspiring Cairns Councillors. The Dream Team Independent Cairns Council Elections 2024 Candidates Shane Cuthbert (Division 4), Rob Pyne (Division 5) and Pat O'Shane OAM (Division 8) join forces as independents working together and moving forward toward a safer, greater Cairns.
The Cairns Regional Council Election will take place in 2024 and Shane Cuthbert is well placed, as a politically active member of the Cairns community to comment on the many Cairns Divisional candidates and Mayor position up for grabs.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings, Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings and shares various networks with current and aspiring Cairns Councillors. The Dream Team Independent Cairns Council Elections 2024 Candidates Shane Cuthbert (Division 4), Rob Pyne (Division 5) and Pat O'Shane OAM (Division 8) join forces as independents working together and moving forward toward a safer, greater Cairns.
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Well known in the Cairns community as current division 2 Councillor and former Cairns MP Rob Pyne looks forward to contesting the Division 5 seat left empty by incumbent Councillor Amy Eden who intends to make the move to Mayor.
Former Magistrate Pat O'Shane OAM needs no introduction, having accomplished much throughout her life. Pat was the first indigenous female school teacher in Queensland, the first female indigenous lawyer and first indigenous Magistrate among other things. Pat was asked by then Premier of New South Wales Neville Wran, to head up the NSW department of land rights (the first in the country).
President of CQU's Law Society Shane Cuthbert, is not stranger to Pat O'Shane, having been sentenced by the Magistrate in 2009. Since then, the two have developed a friendship and look forward to supporting each other throughout the local elections in 2024. Shane was asked by Rob Pyns in 2020, to consider running and has spent the past four years working, advocating and volunteering in Cairns. No 'overnight sensation', Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council meetings over the past 18 months and says 'he is the ONLY candidate to do so', 'I'm the ONLY candidate who cares LONG TERM, let my level of commitment and effort over the last four years provide you with an insight to the level commitment and effort i'll be putting in the next four'.
Former Magistrate Pat O'Shane OAM needs no introduction, having accomplished much throughout her life. Pat was the first indigenous female school teacher in Queensland, the first female indigenous lawyer and first indigenous Magistrate among other things. Pat was asked by then Premier of New South Wales Neville Wran, to head up the NSW department of land rights (the first in the country).
President of CQU's Law Society Shane Cuthbert, is not stranger to Pat O'Shane, having been sentenced by the Magistrate in 2009. Since then, the two have developed a friendship and look forward to supporting each other throughout the local elections in 2024. Shane was asked by Rob Pyns in 2020, to consider running and has spent the past four years working, advocating and volunteering in Cairns. No 'overnight sensation', Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council meetings over the past 18 months and says 'he is the ONLY candidate to do so', 'I'm the ONLY candidate who cares LONG TERM, let my level of commitment and effort over the last four years provide you with an insight to the level commitment and effort i'll be putting in the next four'.
Steven Lippingwell for Division 2
Australian Labor Party member, School Teacher and former campaign manager for Rob Pyne Steve Lippingwell, will bring experience, knowledge and sensibility to the Division. Steve Lippingwell has gained positive media attention recently having started a petition against the unpopular youth detention centre proposed in Edmonton.
Lippingwell, gained more than 450 signitures within three days of commencing his petition, which can be found online on the Queensland Government petitions portal.
Lippingwell, gained more than 450 signitures within three days of commencing his petition, which can be found online on the Queensland Government petitions portal.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning Calls it Quits
For more than 10 years, Mayor Bob Manning has served the Cairns community as Mayor. Bob Manning Mayor recently decided to step down from this position at the 2024 Council Elections in March. Bob Manning OAM is a Vietnam Veteran and former CEO of the Cairns Port Authority and Longreach Shire Council.
He was awarded Cairns Citizen of the Year in 2002, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his service to the Cairns region community through the development and promotion of the tourism, marine and aviation industries.
For more than 10 years, Mayor Bob Manning has served the Cairns community as Mayor. Bob Manning Mayor recently decided to step down from this position at the 2024 Council Elections in March. Bob Manning OAM is a Vietnam Veteran and former CEO of the Cairns Port Authority and Longreach Shire Council.
He was awarded Cairns Citizen of the Year in 2002, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his service to the Cairns region community through the development and promotion of the tourism, marine and aviation industries.
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Shane Cuthbert as Independent Councillor?
Former Cairns MP and Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne encourages Shane Cuthbert to consider the Cairns Regional Council election 2024 and to consider also, the possibility of running for a seat.
Rob Pyne, Cairns Councillor for Division 2 says 'Shane Cuthbert is extremely passionate and visible here in the local community', and says also 'Shane Cuthbert is well placed within the business and social communities of Cairns, as a business owner and Cairns Volunteer of the Year Nominee'.
Shane Cuthbert says 'he is across all issues' and has been 'advocating for a safer, greater Cairns for quite some time' although, he has not yet announced publicly, whether he will run as a candidate or to which Division..
From Left: Nita Mabo (Sisters Inside), Ruby Wharton (Sisters Inside), Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne, Local Cairns Advocate Shane Cuthbert, Human Rights Advocate and Sisters Inside Founder Deb Kilroy, Cairns Mayor Bob Manning.
Current Cairns Councillors
South Cairns (Local Government Area)
The Cairns South encompasses the area between gordonvale and the Cairns CBD and includes the suburbs of Edmonton, Woree, White Rock, Bentley Park.
Division One Councillor Brett Moller (Leadership and Governance)The area known as South Cairns is seperated into three divisions. Division One Councillor Brett Moller is a fantastic advocate for the local community of Gordonvale and its surrounds. It is likely Councillor Moller will retain his seat however, as Mayor Bob Manning steps down, there is a possibility Brett Moller considers running as Mayor on the Unity team ticket.
Cairns Councillor Brett Moller in my opinion is the most advanced in terms of governance and leadership having practised law and served as the Chair of Ports North, State President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland and Director on the Australian Chamber of Commerce Board. Divison 1 Councillor Brett Moller represents the areas of Gordonvale Bramston Beach and Babinda.
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Division Two Councillor Rob Pyne (Experience and Social Issues)Divison Two Councillor Rob Pyne is arguably the most successful politician in Cairns, very well known throughout the Cairns community having served as the Member for Cairns between 2015-2017. Prior to serving as Cairns MP Rob Pyne had served as both a Divison 2 Councillor and Division 3 Councillor for Cairns from 2008-2015 . The Pyne family name is quite well known as Tom Pyne, Robe Pyne's father served as Mayor of Cairns and Mulgrave shire for 30 years.
Shane Cuthbert first met Rob Pyne, having reached out to gather his support for a Youth Advisory Committee, having been recommended by the Cairns Young Chamber economic stimulus paper to which, he had made a contribution in 2019-2020. Rob immediately supported the move and asked to meet with him and they continue to work together on a number of projects. Rob Pyne has announced he will not be running as a candidate in the Cairns Local Government Elections 2024 however, this has been influenced by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) decision to continue funding a legal action against him in the Cairns District Court where Judge Dean Morzone presides.
Shane Cuthbert first met Rob Pyne, having reached out to gather his support for a Youth Advisory Committee, having been recommended by the Cairns Young Chamber economic stimulus paper to which, he had made a contribution in 2019-2020. Rob immediately supported the move and asked to meet with him and they continue to work together on a number of projects. Rob Pyne has announced he will not be running as a candidate in the Cairns Local Government Elections 2024 however, this has been influenced by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) decision to continue funding a legal action against him in the Cairns District Court where Judge Dean Morzone presides.
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Division Three Councillor Kathy Zeiger (South Cairns Advocate)Shane Cuthbert first met Cairns Councillor Cathy Zeiger at the Cairns Crime Forum, a local community event held at Cazalys to address the escalating Crime issues affecting Cairns residents in 2020.
Division 3 Councillor Cathy Zeiger represents the areas of White rock and Woree having taken the seat when former Division 3 Councillor Rob Pyne withdrew to run for the State Parliament seat, becoming member for Cairns in 2015 in the first Palaszcuzk Government. It is expected that Cathy Zeiger hold on to her independent seat at the upcoming 2024 Local Government Elections.
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Division Four Councillor Terry James (Deputy Mayor)
Division Four Councillor Terry James. Cairns Councillor Terry James is one of the least vocal in Council meetings and across social issues however, having served on Cairns Regional Council 1999-2008 (when Division 2 Councillor won an election against him in Division 3) and again from 2012 to Current and previously on Cairns City Council 1994-1995.
Divison 4 Councillor Terry James represents the areas of Earlville, Kanimbla and Mooroobool, and parts of Manoora and Manunda. It is expected that as Deputy Mayor and member of the Cairns Unity team, Terry James will run for the position of Cairns Regional Council Mayor 2024, being the most experienced Cairns Council incumbents.
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Division Five Councillor Amy Eden (Young, Energetic and Branding Extraordinaire)
Division Five Councillor Amy Eden is one of the younger councillors, narrowly elected in 2020, having run against long serving Councillor Ritchie Bates, it is expected Amy Eden hold the Division Five seat at the Cairns Council Election 2024 however, there are rumours that Amy Eden will lead an all women team, running for the Cairns Mayor position in 2024.
Cairns Councillor Amy Eden is the most active Councillor in terms of getting out and about within the community, speaking with and engaging with locals, she is also the easiest to contact and accessible via most social media platforms. Amy Eden is a 'new age' Councillor and she will be tough to beat in any position.
Amy is well recognised for her leadership and commitment to the community. She has won the Australian Institute of Management Cairns Community Leader (2017) award, the Cairns Business Women’s Club Volunteer of the Year (2017) award and was a finalist of Cairns Regional Council’s 2019 Citizen of the Year awards. Committed to working in the community, Amy has volunteered countless hours to establish and support the Manoora Community Garden (view Amy's TEDx talk) and the positive movement project, 3MPride. Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden represents the areas of Cairns city, Cairns North, Portsmith, Westcourt, Parramatta Park, Aeroglen, Bungalow and part of Manunda. It also includes Green Island.
Amy is well recognised for her leadership and commitment to the community. She has won the Australian Institute of Management Cairns Community Leader (2017) award, the Cairns Business Women’s Club Volunteer of the Year (2017) award and was a finalist of Cairns Regional Council’s 2019 Citizen of the Year awards. Committed to working in the community, Amy has volunteered countless hours to establish and support the Manoora Community Garden (view Amy's TEDx talk) and the positive movement project, 3MPride. Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden represents the areas of Cairns city, Cairns North, Portsmith, Westcourt, Parramatta Park, Aeroglen, Bungalow and part of Manunda. It also includes Green Island.
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Division Six Councillor Kristy Valelly (The Imperfect Mum)
Division Six Councillor Kristy Vallelly is a fantastic advocate for the local community and one of the most genuine Councillors. Cairns Councillor Kristy Vallelly was an early supporter alongside Rob Pyne of the Youth Advisory Committee, recommended by the Cairns Young Chamber economic stimulus paper to which, Shane Cuthbert contributed in 2019-2020. If you would like to know more about the Cairns Young Chamber Economic Stimuls Paper CLICK HERE
Divison 6 Councillor Kristy Vallelly operates the popular 'imperfect mum' online blog and represents the areas of Brinsmead, Crystal Cascades, Kamerunga, Redlynch, Freshwater and Stratford. It is expected first time Councillor Vallelly retain her Division Six seat, as part of the Cairns Unity team.
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Division Seven Councillor Max O'Halloran (Development)
Division One Councillor Max O'Halloran is a local legend, personable, welcoming and kind. Cairns Councillor Max O'Halloran is one of the more supportive Councillors of development having a background in construction and roofing.
Divison 7 Councillor Max O'Halloran also loves his sports, The former Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) and Carlton AFL player is a life member and coach with AFL Cairns, Patron of Cairns Bands and the Rondo Theatre, and a life member of Tobruk Pool and North Cairns Football Club and represents the areas of Edge Hill and Whitfield, as well as parts of Manoora, Manunda and Brinsmead. Max has stated that he will not contest the Cairns 2024 election.
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Division Eight Councillor Rhonda Coghlan (Sports)
Division Eight Councillor Rhonda Coghlan is a fantastic advocate for the local community of Gordonvale and its surrounds. Cairns Councillor Rhonda Coghlan is the most passionate about local community sporting organisations, always happy to advocate on thier behalf and support grants and funding for sports around Cairns. Divison 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan represents the areas of Barron, Caravonica, Holloways Beach, Machans Beach, Smithfield, Yorkeys Knob, and Trinity Park.
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Division Nine Councillor Brett Olds (Strong, Outspoken and Popular)
Division Nine Councillor Brett Olds is one of the most popular Councillors and has competed in the Cairns Show esky races and played Cairns Celebrity Basketball with Triple MMM Presenter Elliot Lovejoy. Cairns Councillor Brett Olds isnt afraid to give it to the State Government and does not hold back when advocating for his community.
I first met Brett Olds as a guest on his local radio show discussing Cairns Issues, you can check that out HERE. Divison 9 Councillor Brett Olds represents the areas of Trinity Park and the suburbs of Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach.
Brett Olds is expected to retain his seat at the Cairns Regional Council Election 2024. Councillor Olds was re-elected to the Division 9 Council position in 2020 having completed his first term. In order take his seat from the incumbent and Unity party members as an independent, Councillor Brett Olds door knocked his community and did the necessary work. Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds will continue to work hard to retain his position and advocate for his community.
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