Last Thursday night, almost 100 Townsville locals gathered at NQCC's Townsville Mayoral Forum (v2.0) to hear what our candidates had to say about Climate, Environment and Liveability.
Six of our eight Mayoral hopefuls joined us on the night, with responses to questions sent through from candidates Nick Dametto and Chris Poulsen who were unable to attend the event.
Troy Thompson, Harry Patel, Ann-Maree Greaney, Paul Jacob, Joanne Keune and David Kippin were given a minute or two each to respond to a range of questions relating to environmental protection and climate adaptation. These questions were sent through to all candidates ahead of the event, while a selection of other questions submitted by attendees upon registration were also posed do the candidates for their response.
Below is a summary of the environmental priorities shared and commitments made by each of Townsville's eight mayoral candidates (presented in ballot order).
Prefer to sit back and watch the recordings from the night? Follow the links below to our YouTube channel, either to the full playlist or by topic.
RECORDINGS FROM THE NIGHT
Climate adaptation (and response to our open letter)
Climate science acceptance/understanding
Climate resilience for schools and childcare centres
CANDIDATES' KEY PRIORITIES AND COMMITMENTS
TROY THOMPSON
Key Priorities
Clean water, safe roads, and healthy environments before “vanity projects.”
Accountability, transparency, and strong community consultation.
Fixing water, sewage, and drainage infrastructure to protect creeks and marine systems.
Key Commitments
Redirect council sponsorship funds to practical greening and cooling projects (shade trees, nature corridors, rooftop gardens).
Conduct an urban canopy audit and prioritise heat-affected suburbs.
Create a Community Consultation Charter, including Traditional Owner representation.
Support partnerships with community and experts for climate adaptation and planning.
"We’re in that transition period [for climate action]. We need to push it forward. We need to put more pressure on the authorities to ensure that happens."
HARRY PATEL
Key Priorities
Clean water and responsible resource management.
Preparing for climate impacts such as heatwaves, floods, and cyclones.
Promoting renewable energy and a circular economy.
Key Commitments
Balance growth with environmental protection through careful planning.
Use water-sensitive urban design to improve resilience.
Collaborate with experts (NQCC, AIMS, Reef Authority, Traditional Owners) on greening and sustainability.
Support community engagement and environmental awareness initiatives.
"[To reduce emissions] We need to listen to experts... and work with federal, state and world bodies."
NICK DAMETTO
(not in attendance - responses provided via email)
Key Priorities
Tackling illegal dumping, feral pigs, and invasive weeds.
Strengthening Council’s role in pest and waste management.
Ensuring sustainable but economically practical environmental policies.
Key Commitments
Enforce stronger compliance and penalties for illegal dumping.
Lead coordinated pest management across agencies and landholders.
Support a commonsense Greening Townsville Strategy, focused on shade and liveability in newer suburbs.
Rejects a new advisory committee, preferring direct collaboration with NQCC and community groups.
CHRIS POULSEN
Key Priorities
Water, Waste, Sewerage, Maintenance.
Community involvement and communication.
Financially responsible council with less vanity project, with more essential projects.
Commitments
Waste management overall and restructure.
Water security, and conservation.
Essential projects given priority.
Ross River Eco Corridor Plan.
Roadside Mulching Pilot study.
ANN-MAREE GREANEY
Key Priorities
Addressing weeds, invasive species, and illegal dumping.
Building on her record as former chair of Council’s Health and Environment Committee.
Reducing illegal dumping through the re-introduction of dump vouchers.
Key Commitments
Expand Council’s Greening Strategy, creating corridors from city to JCU.
Ensure developers use dry tropics–appropriate, waterwise plants.
Advocate for streamlined approvals to enable local ecosystem projects.
Support a community environmental advisory committee with representation from NQCC, MINCA, MICDA and others.
"We can be a leader in [climate action] going forward. Council needs to play its part in that."
PAUL JACOB
Key Priorities
Waste and water management, renewable energy, and climate resilience.
Promoting Townsville as a green, sustainable city.
Key Commitments
Extend recycled water use across Townsville to support greening.
Introduce green waste bins and expand recycling facilities.
Champion solar and battery innovation in Council operations.
Support Indigenous ranger programs and an environmental advisory committee.
"Our [climate] targets set in the federal government are very good targets. As the mayor I would adhere to those targets completely."
JOANNE KEUNE
Key Priorities
Climate change as the city’s biggest environmental threat.
Re-establishing Townsville’s reputation as an environmental leader.
Making the city more liveable through heat and flood mitigation.
Key Commitments
Join the Climate Council’s City Power Partnership.
Create a Townsville Livability Laboratory to research and plan for resilience.
Implement Greening Townsville’s 3/30/300 strategy (tree canopy targets).
Strengthen collaboration with First Nations people, research bodies, and community groups through an environmental advisory committee.
"35 years ago we were leading Australia but we’ve fallen off the map. If elected mayor, the environment will be back as a priority."
DAVID KIPPIN
Key Priorities
Environmental protection, liveability, and sustainability through collaboration.
Addressing urban encroachment, illegal dumping, and wetland degradation.
Greening as a key tool for cooling and quality of life.
Key Commitments
Make Environment and Conservation a permanent Council agenda item.
Access and apply the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy (Q-CAS).
Embed climate adaptation into land-use planning and risk management.
Fully support a Greening Townsville Strategy (3/30/300 model, canopy expansion, Traditional Owner collaboration).
Establish a community voice group with NQCC and the Bwgaman Aboriginal Land Trust to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
"We can lead northern Australia to address climate change and make our contribution. We can stand up as the largest, most progressive city in Northern Australia."
Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed questions, donated or otherwise supported the event! Special thanks to our volunteers David, Tamara, Krissy, Malcolm, Russell, Ian, Diane, Frank, Sandra, Naomi, Clancy and Monica!
Want to relive the night? Videos from the event have been uploaded to our YouTube channel.
NQCC offers unique opportunities for community members to engage with decision-makers on all matters relating to nature and climate. If you like what we do, consider becoming a member or making a small donation.
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