ROADS are the number one priority for incoming Division 4 Councillor David Cullen.
With counting still continuing more than a week after the election on March 16, Mr Cullen was certain to be elected along with the Jim Madden as the new councillor for Division 4.
One of the two sitting councillors, Kate Kunzelmann, retired at the election after serving one term, while the other councillor, Russell Milligan, was in third place in the count with Sue Dunne not far behind.
With 77 percent of the vote counted, Mr Madden attracted 31 percent of the vote, Mr Cullen 26 percent, Mr Milligan 23 percent and Ms Dunne 20 percent.
Mr Cullen admitted he was surprised with the result.
“We were pretty evenly split over Division 4,” he said.
“I thanked all of the candidates for being respectful throughout the campaign. We all focussed on the issues. It was a tough campaign but it was a good campaign.”
Mr Cullen said he would be focussed on getting the council back to basics.
“We need to step up our spending on roads and our basic infrastructure,” he said.
“We need to find a way to keep up with the mowing in all seasons. I think there are ways to streamline what is currently being done and make it more efficient.
“Road infrastructure citywide is the big issue for me. We do need to get roads sealed – it’s 2024 – we should have roads sealed.”
Mr Cullen said he would like to explore the costs of road surface material used.
“There has to be a better way to be able to put something on those roads. Let’s explore some of the innovations like how Redlands is with recycling in surface material.”
Mr Cullen said the next few months would be a steep learning curve for him coming into the new council.
“I’ve got to learn a lot, which I will. I’m pleased that we have some experienced people in the incoming council. I think that after the interim administration, having experienced politicians in the council, the likes of Andrew Antoniolli, Paul Tully and Jim Madden, will be a huge benefit to us.
“I’m coming in from a business perspective, no experience in politics, so I have to learn a lot and hopefully I can put forward the experience I have in business and away from the government sector and bring a different view.”
Asked how he would deal with the strong personalities on the incoming council, Mr Cullen said he believed it would be a positive council.
“I don’t have a problem working with anyone,” he said.
“That is one of the beauties of coming from business; you have to make it work with everyone, whether you like them or you don’t because if you don’t work with people when you are in business, you don’t have a business.”
Mr Cullen said he would be focussed on his council duties. He said his business Pro Drive had been up for sale and had been “running without him” for years.
“I’ve got really good people at Pro Drive and the business has been operating itself,” he said.
“I’m focussed 100 percent on being a good councillor. I am a little bit apprehensive; I am excited. I want to get in there and do the best possible job I can and do it right and achieve the best outcomes across the city.”
