Deputy Mayor says goodbye to council

Deputy Mayor Cr Chris Thompson has bid farewell to Sunshine Coast Council today after a 12-year career serving the Coast community.

In the final Ordinary Meeting before the March 19 election, Mayor Mark Jamieson and his fellow councillors paid tribute to Cr Thompson, who was first elected to Maroochy Shire Council as the councillor for Division 12 in 2004 before becoming the Division Four representative following the amalgamation of the former Caloundra, Maroochy and Noosa councils in 2008.

Cr Thompson, whose mother Margaret and wife Jane joined him at today’s meeting, decided not to seek re-election for another term of council.

He has been Deputy Mayor for the past four years and has held the key finance portfolio since amalgamation plus responsibility for water and corporate planning.

Cr Thompson thanked the community of Division Four for their support over the past 12 years, saying it had been an honour and a pleasure to serve them.

“We’ve achieved many things for the division and they’re all as equally as important as each other,” he said.

“The investment we’ve made by buying Horton Park and starting the creation of a new CBD with SunCentral, as well as the successful relocation of the golf club to its new home at Bli Bli, is certainly something I’ll remember as being very significant for our community.

“There’s a whole range of other divisional projects that I’m very proud of – like the Mooloolaba Spit Master Plan, the upgrade work around the Alex Surf Club and the growth of Sunshine Coast Stadium.

“One of the other most satisfying parts of the role has been being involved in the appointment of the senior staff and watching the organisation gel.

“I would like to thank my wife Jane and my family for their support and the wonderful council staff, especially my councillor support officer Lauren, who has been outstanding during my entire time here in council.”

Mayor Jamieson said Cr Thompson had showed great aptitude in finance matters which had served Maroochy Shire and the Sunshine Coast councils well.

“He has made a great personal contribution to helping shape the future of the region,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“I’ve greatly appreciated his help and support as Deputy Mayor and he leaves council with our best wishes for the future.”

Council CEO Michael Whittaker said Cr Thompson had provided a steadying hand that had positively influenced council’s decision making.

“Cr Thompson’s strong family values and the desire to exercise prudence in making sound commercial decisions about any community asset or public monies has shone through in all of his actions,” Mr Whittaker said.

“He has had a strong sense of doing what's right for our community.”

Cr Thompson’s other major roles have included being chair of the Local Disaster Recovery Committee and deputy chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, serving on project control groups for the SunCentral Maroochydore CBD project, the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm and Sunshine Coast Airport and recently helping to develop the Mooloolaba MasterPlan which will revitalise one of the Coast’s prime beachside locations.

Photo: Cr Thompson with his wife Jane at today's meeting in Caloundra