Logan City Council Division 5 candidates

Division 5 of Logan City Council includes: Berrinba, Marsden, Waterford West, and part of Crestmead.

There are currently three candidates.

Sitting Division 5 councillor Jon Raven is not recontesting; rather, he is running for mayor of Logan.

Name: Paul Jackson

Occupation: Owner-Manager of Local News Publications. Founder-Coordinator of Park Ridge Connect.

Age: 52

Why should people vote for you?

It has become my life’s passion to help connect people with the resources, relationships and opportunities they need for a flourishing life. Exploring problems and gathering people who care about those problems together, to create solutions, is what gets me out of bed every day. 

I’ve been doing that with households and neighbourhoods and communities over the last few decades. To be part of the team of councillors who do that for the city of Logan would be a privilege.

What would you aim to deliver for your community?

• Facilities & Affordability – working with residents, community organisations and other stakeholders, I will prioritise the development of community facilities that serve our growing population. From neighbourhood parks to city-wide infrastructure, we will create places that people can enjoy with their families and neighbours.
  Our city’s facilities should also be affordable to use and easy to access. I will work with my fellow councillors to make sure every resident has affordable access to community owned facilities and services.
• Safety – whether it’s responding to hooning on our streets or crime in our neighbourhoods, I will work with the state government and community groups to make sure that our community has a variety of up-to-date crime prevention resources available to it. 
• Environment – our area is home to Logan’s most beautiful parks and waterways. Beyond what council does to maintain and enhance them, we have residents and community groups that meet regularly to care for and protect our flora and fauna. I will work with these passionate locals to support the preservation of our natural assets and wildlife corridors. 
• Planning – we are a fast growing city in a fast changing world and we need to plan and adapt in shorter and shorter intervals. I will work with my fellow Councillors and Mayor to make sure that we are planning for a liveable city where families can flourish and neighbourhoods have the space they need to do life well together.
• Business & Community Organisations – business and community organisations are owned and run by ordinary residents like you and me. The risks they take and the sacrifices they make to provide local jobs and solve local problems deserves our admiration and support. I will advocate for policies that encourage entrepreneurship and support local businesses and local jobs.

Why did you decide to run for council?

While the community organisations I’ve been running and volunteering with have been making a great impact on Logan West residents, I became convinced that I could do more to serve the residents of Logan City as a councillor. 

What suburb do you live in?
I grew up in Marsden/Crestmead, but over the last 49 years I have lived in Kingston, Park Ridge, Marsden, Crestmead, Munruben, Boronia Heights, Chambers Flat and now Hillcrest.

How long have you been in the area?

49 years. I turned ten the year Logan became a city 🙂

Name: Sovannary Uk

Occupation: I’m a local small business owner, employing local people.

Age: 45

In 250 words or less, tell us about yourself and your community attributes.

As a hardworking local, I am passionate about our community. My home is here, my family is here, our friends are here. I speak to local people every day and I know people are concerned about crime. I’m committed to working with all levels of government to make our community safer and more secure. As your Councillor I will work hard every day to make this happen.

I’ve been living in our local area for over 20 years. I met my wife in Marsden and our daughter was born here and attended Burrowes State School right across the road from our shop. Councillor Jon Raven and former Councillor Graham Able asked me to run in Division 5 to stand up for local people.

I feel strongly about the following issues:

1. Other people’s money – In my business I don’t waste a dollar, and I want to see Logan City Council operate the same way.

2. Support traffic calming and extra cameras to reduce hooning and promote the community CCTV initiative where you link your home security cameras to the Police network.

3. We need good East – West bus services in Logan so our kids can get to school, and you can get to where you need to go.

4. Recreation – Locals have been telling me for years that kids don’t have enough to do after school. I am committed to creating places where teenagers can spend time after school and on the weekends to keep out of trouble.

Name: Zoe McDonnell

Occupation: Digital Marketing Specialist, local bottleshop employee, mother and wife

Age: 32

In 250 words or less, tell us about yourself and your community attributes.