ALP candidate for Wide Bay Lucy Stanton had a chat with The Pumpkings before this year’s Great Australian Pumpkin Roll … the Pumpkings have been coming from Brisbane for years to compete but do they explore the South Burnett region afterwards? (Photo: ALP)
ALP candidate for Wide Bay Lucy Stanton

June 2, 2016

What does Goomeri do for the 364 days after every Pumpkin Festival?  This is the question Lucy Stanton, the Labor candidate for Wide Bay, was asking in the wake of Sunday’s big event.

Ms Stanton and a team of red-shirted supporters took part in the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll at the top of Policeman’s Hill, and also manned a stall in the main street.

But she also noticed the empty shops.

“Locals remember with fondness what the town of Goomeri was long ago,” Lucy said.

Ms Stanton said blaming what happened in the past –  and outside forces for destroying livelihoods – would not solve anything in the present.

“It is not someone from far away’s responsibility to save Goomeri, or any other town facing similar challenges,” she said.

“All of us in this region need to pull together to build a better future.”

She said the challenge was to exploit the opportunities the annual Pumpkin Festival offered.

“It is so successful that it promises way more than one day a year of good times for Goomeri,” she said.

“The challenge is to get tourists to stay or extend their stay and do more while they’re here. In doing so they will naturally visit more of the region, and they will spend money here which helps us out.

“The simple fact is people need to be fed, need to drink something and like a comfy bed to lay their head on.

“So we need to find ways to persuade them to stay the night in this wonderful town and the surrounding area.

“For example, I know the Moffatdale wineries have monthly events throughout the year. Much more could be made of these with the many national and international visitors that the Fraser Coast brings to our region.”

She also believes in renewal, reviving what is special about Goomeri and other towns like it in the Wide Bay electorate.

“The idea is to pick something that was great or a project in the community right now that is inspiring,” she said.

“The Renew Australia program has worked for a whole range of communities from the inner city to small towns, and towns in Wide Bay could decide to match up creative endeavours with empty shops in the main street.

“Or we could decide that small-scale manufacturing is something we stand for and be about making stuff.”

Ms Stanton said was keen to act as a facilitator for these types of projects if elected.

“I want to sit down with the community and nut this one out . That’s what I’m offering the people of Goomeri,” she said.

“If you decide I’m the person to represent this region in Canberra, then I’m saying let’s build something in the community together.”


 

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