Official site for Craig Batchelor

Firstly, thank you for taking an interest in visiting my website. I intend to use this as a means of disseminating information to the people in Division 7 (and elsewhere) of what will become the new Tablelands Regional Council and my vision of how best to represent the people of Mareeba.

I am 43 years old and I have lived in Mareeba for over 35 years. I completed my education at Mareeba State High School in 1980 and proceeded to undertake trade qualifications at Geo H O’Donnell printers in Mareeba. Since that time I have worked in the insurance industry and later in local government at Mareeba Shire Council for a period in excess of 13 years. My time in local government included many and varied aspects of administration roles including: rates and revenue collection; accounts payable; customer service; record management; local laws; acts and regulations; freedom of information; leases and land tenure; native title and more.

For the past five-and-a-half years I have operated my own graphic design/printing business in Mareeba. In August 2007 with the resignation of long-serving councillor, Fred Cattarossi, I responded to a call for nominations from interested members of the public to fill the vacancy on Council. I was fortunate in that Council saw fit to appoint me to this important role. I have always found that the solid grounding and hands-on dealing with a wide cross-section of local government issues in my previous roles with Council has stood me in good stead in my new role of Councillor at Mareeba Shire Council. This will naturally carry forward to the new Tablelands Regional Council. I am confident in my ability to perform in the role of Councillor in the new Division 7.

More background information on Craig can be found on his Profile page by clicking here.

Changed Landscape in Local Government on the Tablelands

Given the considerable impact from external influences (State and Federal governments) upon the Mareeba community over recent years, it is encouraging to witness the resilience of this community and how, regardless of the hurdles thrown up, Mareeba has pulled through. In fact, more than that, Mareeba is resurgent and as such it needs commitment from a Councillor who will undertake to represent and promote the interests of Mareeba residents.

With the advent of amalgamation the mathematics of local representation has changed significantly. In Mareeba Shire (as is currently the case), residents can approach any of the nine councillors to raise concerns or make a comment about a variety of issues … now, with divisional representation in the new “super council”, Mareeba residents (within Division 7) will have but one (1) representative on the Tablelands Regional Council. This person will need to embrace the methodology of change brought about by the amalgamation process, but without losing sight of the expectations of Mareeba residents that the every day functions of Council will continue as before, i.e. rubbish collection, water and sewerage treatment, parks and gardens, roads etc. As your Division 7 Councillor I will give a commitment to step up and vigorously pursue fair and affordable outcomes in matters such as rates and fees and charges while still being able to meet budgeted expenditure and identified capital works programmes.

Authorised by Craig Batchelor, 20 McGrath Road, Mareeba for Craig Batchelor (Candidate)