February 10, 2016
Nanango businesswoman Sandy Towell has joined the three other candidates who will be contesting Division 1 at the March 19 Council poll.
Mrs Towell, who ran in the Division in the 2012 election, said serving on Council was something she had wanted to do for a long time.
“I really passionately believe in the area,” she said.
She moved to Nanango 11 years ago and along with husband Ross took over publication of The Country Focus newspaper in 2007.
“I know the strengths of the region. I live in the community,” she said.
Mrs Towell said outside experts brought in to solve problems often could not be relied on.
She said “real, genuine consultation” would help to identify some of the fantastic ideas from within the community.
“Quite honestly, I don’t have all the answers but I have the passion and the energy and I am willing to learn,” she said.
“We have to get the businesses thriving again … that will spin off and create a vibrant community.”
Mrs Towell was born at Mt Morgan and began work as a stenographer.
However, she developed an interest in education and went back to school to complete Year 12. She then worked in schools with socially and emotionally disadvantaged students, and later with parent communities.
Based in Brisbane, and then the Sunshine Coast, she looked after about 82 schools.
She then took over as CEO of the National Canteen Association, a job which continued after she moved to Nanango.
“We were working with industry to create healthier products for sale in schools,” she said.
She then opened Flexsys Print and Promotions which sells promotional items and “everything you can print your name on”.
However, if she is elected her husband Ross will take over this business.
Country Focus ceased publication in December after Ross developed some health issues.
“I didn’t want to say ‘I run Country Focus but my husband is in the ground’,” she said.
The couple has raised six children, four of their own as well as two who were adopted as teenagers. They have 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She believes communication is key for Council.
“What we are seeing is a groundswell of people who want to be heard, who want to have their say and because times are tough, people vent more,” she said.
“I don’t think people fully understand how Council works, and how funding for Council has changed that ‘roads, rates and rubbish’ are not the only strings to their bow.”
Mrs Towell said she wanted to rebuild trust between the community and Council.
“I want people to be able to ask a question of their local councillor and believe the answer,” she said.
She said she believed in a “Five Fingers One Hand” model for economic development where an economic driver could be identified for each town.
For example, an arts precinct in Nanango; and Indigenous Museum in Murgon; a green business estate in Blackbutt; a university in Kingaroy and a Sports University in Wondai.
She said no one liked the road levy but for anyone to promise to get rid of it could be foolish.
“Who really understands the Council Budget?” she said.
“I’d love to get rid of the road levy but I also believe we need to have our roads in very good condition. If we take it away, how are we going to get our roads repaired?
“All I would promise is that I will look long and hard at it and look long and hard at the rates.
“Whatever we charge has to be fair and and affordable.
“We have had some more vocal groups that have been against Council for some time that tend to cloud the waters and make people suspicious about what Council has been achieving.
“We have work happening in Blackbutt, the streetscape in Nanango and the roads are gradually being improved.
“Council’s ability to handle the Budget has improved.
“It has done the hard yards and set the groundwork for the new Council to build on it and move ahead, but it’s going to take time.”
The other candidates for Division 1 so far are Roz Frohloff, Steve Jeffery and Caroline Haskard.
