BEGINNING SPEECH - CR KIM FLESSER

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL 15/04/97

INTRODUCTION

It gives me great pleasure to address this chamber to allow me to talk about 
Northgate Ward, describe a little about myself, and convey my views and 
aspirations for my term in this Council.

What a shock August and Christine Flesser must have had, when in 1866 they 
arrived at Nundah (then known as German Station) after a long and dangerous 
journey from Germany aboard the Wandrham.  While conditions were harsh in the 
country my Great Great Grandparents were abandoning, their new home was 
isolated, had no public infrastructure, only primitive roads and no transport 
facilities.  The German farmers carried all their produce and supplies on their 
backs, or by wheelbarrow.

The area around Northgate Ward was still heavily timbered and Kedron Brook was 
described as a 'fairy like stream'.  Early settlers panned for gold, tilled the soil and 
fished the creeks for sustenance.

The Oondumbi clan, part of the Turrubul people, used the area as a major source 
of food, but were being forced further afield with the influx of the European settlers. 
 In 1887 a Government appointed 'Protector of Aboriginals', rounded-up most of 
the Oondumbi people and transported them to Fraser Island.

I have always lived in or around the area that I now represent, even though the 
Flesser family has spread throughout South-East Queensland.  My parents raised 
me in modest surroundings within the heart of the Ward at Northgate.  They both 
worked hard in local manufacturing businesses, as many of the residents still do 
today.

My education was completed locally at Hendra Primary and State High Schools.  
Much of my adolescence was spent riding my push bike throughout the Ward, 
visiting mates at Wavell Heights, Nundah, Virginia and Banyo.  I regularly swam 
and fished in local creeks, and had a very mediocre and forgettable career with 
North's Junior Rugby League Club.

My working life started as an apprentice employed locally at the Banyo workshops, 
of the Queensland Railways.  I then worked as an electrician, until 4 years ago, 
when I filled a temporary position as an Organiser, for my Union.

It was working as a trade union official that first brought together my experience as 
a working class person and my desire to represent people who relied on, and 
trusted me.  I am convinced that my time with the Union has provided me with the 
life skills necessary to perform as an effective, elected representative.  
 
I have witnessed and been a part of Northgate Ward's development and evolution. 
 While it is much more amenable than it was in 1866, as has happened on the 
edge of all major cities, small crop farming, dairying and local shopping has moved 
further afield.


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am quickly becoming aware of the enormous amount of history behind the 
Brisbane City Council and this City Hall.  Not only have matters of great 
importance to the well being of Brisbane's residents been debated and decided 
here, but Aldermen, Councillors, Lord Mayors and Council employees, have 
worked hard to make Brisbane what it is today.  

Clem Jones will always be remembered for the work he did for this city, especially 
his commitment to the sewerage system.  During his term, he increased the 
homes sewered from 37% to an impressive 96%.  His administration also guided 
what was considered to be an overgrown country town, into the thriving metropolis 
that it is today.  Of what I remember of him, Clem had a down to earth nature and 
loved to look after working class people.  It was good to see Clem again during the 
election campaign, endorsing the Jim Soorley Labor team.  I treasure the few 
words we exchanged here, at the opening of this Council.

I also wish to acknowledge Frank Sleeman's achievements.  He represented me 
as Alderman for Nudgee and Banyo Wards, before becoming Lord Mayor in 1976. 
 One of Frank's visions was for Brisbane to tap into the international tourism trade. 
  His administration was committed to the 1982 Commonwealth Games, his 
'Greening the Suburbs' policy, and the development of landmarks such as Anzac 
Square, the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens and the Sir Thomas Brisbane 
Planetarium.  

Successive Councils have correctly progressed and emulated his initiatives.  
Frank and his wife Norma still live close to me at Zillmere, where they enjoy a quiet 
peaceful life.

Over the last 15 years, the Banyo, Eagle Farm and Northgate Wards, have been 
well looked after by Cr Patricia Vaughan, the person I replace in this chamber.  Pat 
had one of the strongest local followings of any politician that I am aware of.  
Whenever I was doorknocking in the election campaign, residents would claim that 
they knew Pat well and were good friends of hers.  I will try to reach her degree of 
professionalism and popularity, in the Ward. 


FUTURE FOR NORTHGATE WARD

One of the greatest pleasures I now have, is knowing that I am a part of Jim 
Soorley's Labor team.  The Lord Mayor and his administration have turned this city 
around, since the Sallyanne days.  

Gone is the indiscriminate selling off, of environmentally sensitive Council land and 
the lack of commitment to parklands.  Further bushland acquisition, protection of 
natural areas, voluntary conservation agreements and improved facilities in 
neighbourhood parks, are sure to be an ongoing feature of this Council.  

I am very lucky that the Boondall Wetlands largely are within the Northgate Ward.  
My regular cycle trips along the bikeways through the mangroves, creek banks 
and grasslands are very enjoyable. 

The Boondall Wetlands Management Committee which assists Council in all 
decisions required for the proper management of the area, has my unqualified 
support.

While the previous administration tried, their record on recycling and land fill 
reduction looks very meagre, compared with what has taken place over the last 6 
years.  I applaud the achievements made so far, and look forward to further waste 
reduction initiatives.  
In fact, I will be pursuing the viability of a proposal with Council, which if successful, 
will assist in making further reductions in land fill going to the Nudgee Waste 
Transfer Station.

Northgate Ward unfortunately now has it's share of traffic problems.  I commend 
the Council for it's commitment to public transport, funding for traffic management 
and push for reduced urban speed limits.  I am particularly impressed with the 
construction of pedestrian refuges, to make safer crossing points and to slow 
traffic in areas where people congregate.

The Ward has many locations that I will strongly argue should be given a high 
priority, for the funding of these refuges.

The two Council Libraries located in the Ward, have benefited greatly from 
decisions of the Soorley Administration.  They are now air-conditioned and offer a 
wide range of modern facilities.  
Many Ward residents have also taken advantage of both the new library and the 
refurbished public swimming pool at Chermside, just outside the Ward.  The 
mobile library service based at Banyo, is also a great benefit to disabled Brisbane 
northside residents.  I look forward to supporting the continuing proper funding for 
libraries and other community activity services.

A number of local shopping centres would benefit from the extension of Council's 
Suburban Shopping Centre Improvement program.  The most needy, is the 
Nundah Shopping Centre.  However, the bottleneck traffic problem on Sandgate 
Road first needs to be addressed by the State Government.  I am disappointed in 
their apparent lack of commitment to solving this problem, and call on them to 
expedite the construction of the 'cut and cover option', recently preferred by their 
own consultants.

Creating local jobs is an issue that I feel strongly about.  I believe that Council, 
where it can, should be actively pursuing policies that lead to the creation of 
employment.  There are already a number of large employers in Northgate Ward, 
including the Golden Circle Cannery, SEQEB, Arnotts Biscuits and Australia Post.  
I welcome these employers and smaller businesses at the Geebung, Northgate, 
Nudgee and Virginia industrial and commercial areas, to call on me if I can do 
anything to help them prosper and create jobs.

The plans for new transport and commercial industries around the old Brisbane 
airport site, will no doubt, also be good for employment.  The Federal Airports 
Corporation expect an additional 40,000 positions will be created there, between 
the next 10 and 20 years.

However, I'm sure Councillors Clay, Humphreys and Campbell, would agree with 
me, that the redevelopment of the site, is a matter that Council should pay very 
close attention to.
  
It's construction will invariably lead to more aircraft movements and more noise for 
residents.  I will be arguing most strongly for Council to remain committed to 
involvement in the Brisbane Airport Consultative Committee, Brisbane Airport 
Environmental Sub-Committee and any avenues available with the new owners of 
the airport, to ensure Council can make informed planning decisions and have an 
avenue to raise any concerns.

The development also will place enormous pressure on public infrastructure, in the 
surrounding suburbs.  The resolution of these issues will largely rest with the 
Council. 

There is no doubt that Local Government, is the closest to the people.  However, 
Government cannot provide all that is needed by way of support and services to a 
community.  For some time now, I have been working with many organisations, 
who all possess a core of hard working and dedicated volunteers.  P&C's, Sporting 
Associations, Meals on Wheels, Neighbourhood Watch Groups, RSL Sub-
Branches, Environmental Groups, Community Festival Groups and Seniors 
Associations, are all trying to make life better for residents in Northgate Ward.  As 
Councillor, I commit myself to continue to work with these groups and assist them 
wherever possible.

The Brisbane City Council has become a great communicator.  I'm sure that the 
now excellent customer satisfaction levels are due to the many brochures, 
newsletters and fact sheets, put out by Council.  Invariably residents are invited to 
provide feedback on any issue.  I believe that Government has a duty to properly 
communicate with, and especially listen, to it's constituents.  I'm looking forward to 
continuing that dialogue with the Northgate Ward residents.  

My World Wide Web searching, has revealed that Cr Caltabiano has an Internet 
site for Chandler Ward.  His site is blatantly political, but never-the-less, it provides 
Council and community information.  I will be setting up an apolitical site and E-Mail 
access to me, for the benefit of Northgate Ward residents, as soon as possible. 


HILMER REFORMS

Inappropriate implementation of Hilmer National Competition Policy reforms, are 
one of the greatest threats to job security and social insecurity, that this nation 
could foolishly force upon itself.

Of course, monopolies and cartels that unfairly create obscene profits for 
themselves should be crushed.  But the idea that it is always cheaper to contract 
out your own work, and make employees constantly fearful for their jobs, is an 
outrage.  Governments are supposed to be about making life better for their 
constituents.

I am aware that the Brisbane City Council like other Local Authorities, has a gun 
pointed at it's head by the State and Federal Governments.  This Council is being 
pushed to tread down the economic rationalist's path and turn itself into a non-
caring, profit driven, commercial enterprise.  I do not subscribe to the view that 
only 'the market' should determine and regulate what's good for the people.  

The Lord Mayor deserves praise for his stand against the Federal Government's 
agenda on Hilmer.  If Councils are going to be forced to pay extra taxes and suffer 
revenue loss, they should be fairly compensated.

I would strongly support this Council pursuing with other like minded Councils, the 
total removal of the Federal Government's Hilmer National Competition reforms, 
burden. 


THE LABOR PARTY

The Labor Party stands for fair distribution of wealth, equity, social justice, care for 
our environment and the rights of workers.  It's because I passionately believe in 
these values, that I am sitting on this side of the chamber.  However, I agree with 
the Lord Mayor's comments at Council opening, that a requirement of good 
Government is a good opposition.  I look forward to those opposite, presenting 
constructive criticism and progressive ideas (however misguided in my eyes, they 
may be).

I hope that in the lead up to the next election, the opposition will have alternate 
policies for Brisbane, that they will be willing to share with the residents.  Voters 
clearly favour Parties with fair policies, vision for the future and a united team.  
Without these credentials, I believe that those opposite will stay there.  I strongly 
agree with ALP State Secretary, Mike Kaiser, that "Elections should be battles of 
ideas, not battles of tactics".


CREDITS

Since starting this job, I have been assisted and encouraged by a number of 
experienced fellow Councillors.  I wish to thank those Councillors for helping me, 
and making me feel at ease.

Of course, I was not the only new Councillor elected on March 15th.  I wish to 
acknowledge and welcome Councillors Bermingham, de Wit and Knapp.  We will 
probably at some stage in the future, look back and call ourselves the class of '97. 
 I hope that we can all achieve the goals that we set ourselves, in this our first 
term, and I look forward to working with you.

I also wish to acknowledge Councillors Rea and Cashman.  I'm sure that they are 
particularly pleased, after being removed from this Council, to take stock and put in 
the hard yards to make a successful return.  I look forward to working with you 
also.

My congratulations to Councillor Quinn, for being elected Deputy Mayor, Councillor 
Bennison, for her election to Civic Cabinet and Councillor O'Connell for becoming 
leader of the Opposition.  Elevation to such positions doesn't come easy, and I 
wish you all the best. 

As fellow Councillors are well aware, no one gets here by themselves.

The support provided to me by my family, friends, union and members of the 
Labor Party, has been overwhelming.  Election campaigns are very stressful for a 
family.  I wish to particularly thank my wife, Jan, for her support and understanding. 
 I also apologise to my young daughters Jillian and Lauren, who, on many 
occasions, have had to put up with a cranky and unhelpful, Father.

My Campaign Director, Neil Roberts (the State Member for Nudgee), has been 
both my mentor and motivator.  I was Neil's apprentice in the railways 23 years 
ago, and he took me under his wing when I started work for my Union.  He has 
influenced my political views and determination, which has culminated in my 
election to this chamber.  I cannot thank Neil enough for his help.  Neil's wife 
Jenny, also deserves special mention for her support.


COMMITMENT TO NORTHGATE WARD

I fully understand that my new position demands total commitment, hard work, 
sacrifices of home life, and a devotion to not only satisfy the people that I 
represent, but to make decisions that are in the best interests of this wonderful city.

To the electors of Northgate Ward, I thank you for the trust you have placed in me. 
 The win on March 15th was an endorsement for the Soorley Labor Team for only 
the next three years.  I will be working hard to ensure that Council continues to 
provide the necessary services, planning and infrastructure, that is required to 
make sure that Brisbane continues to have, 'the most livable suburbs'.