Bill Fenelon, who has called the Tweed Valley home since 2009, is heading up Group A and is running as an Independent with Carolyn Rifello from Terragon, Rainer Glasker from Mt Burrell, and Susan Greer from Banora Point.
Mr Fenelon says that he is ‘an activist dedicated to serving and enriching the local communities of the Tweed’. He places the ‘natural environment’ as we as the ‘a strong, healthy economy in conjunction with sustainable growth’ as central to his campaign for council.
As a Master Mariner, Mr Fenelon has sailed the globe, and while he has ‘seen some amazing places, unique attractions, and stunning natural landscapes’, he says ‘nothing beats the Tweed: the pristine beaches, crystal clear rivers, rugged mountains, national parks, and the friendly people in the vibrant towns and villages.”’
As a councillor, he told The Echo that he ‘will support jobs and tourism at the same time strive to protect prime agricultural land and preserve the village atmosphere of Kingscliff and the Tweed Coast.’
Education and housing
Mr Fenelon and his ticket also stand for a strong public education system and affordable housing. He will fight for both.
Mr Fenelon has pointed out the lack of consultation by the State government in their pursuit of a ‘super campus’ at Murwillumbah.
‘There was effectively no community consultation and a lot of anger about this decision which can only be justified in terms of saving a few dollars of tax. There is plenty of waste in the State budget, but don’t take it out on school children. Approximately 27 jobs will be lost if the existing schools close.’
Mr Fenelon says he wants to ‘retain public property for public use, improve our schools, build a new one at Pottsville where it is needed and forget about destroying the Murwillumbah schools.’
Rail and cycleways
As part of his activism on local and environmental issues, Mr Fenealon has been a leading campaigner to save the Tweed’s railways, advocating for retaining the rail lines for a local rail transport system in conjunction with creating rail-trail cycleways. In addition to the enhancement of local rail transportation, he says he is a strong advocate for a rail connection between the Gold Coast and Casino to connect the Tweed Shire with Brisbane and Sydney.
Sailing
As a Master Mariner Mr Fenelon promotes sailing as a sport on the Tweed River and started the Tweed Valley Sailing Club to mentor youth and enable those with disabilities to get involved in sailing activities. He has also been captain of a sail training vessel along our coast for many years.
Running as an independent, Mr Fenealon declares that he is motivated purely by local interests and issues, not careerism or party politics.
‘I am committed to engaging with the community to identify and meet their wishes and concerns. I oppose greed, profiteering, and the destruction of our unique natural environment. The Tweed is the best place in the world, and I’m dedicated to ensuring it stays that way.’
Mr Fenelon also recommends support and preferencing Tweed Shire candidates Chris Cherry, Meredith Dennis, Letitia Kelly and Nola Firth.
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