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Cairns Regional Council Election 2024
The Cairns Regional Council Election will take place in 2024 and Shane Cuthbert is well placed, as a politically active member of the Cairns community to comment on the many Cairns Divisional candidates and Mayor position up for grabs.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings, Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings and shares various networks with current and aspiring Cairns Councillors.
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Division 7 Councillor Max O'Halloran Stepping Down?
After serving the Edge Hill/Whitfield community for many years, Max O'Halloran has decided it is time to let someone else have a go. Who will that be? Shane Cuthbert has met with Jules Steer, Steve Brech and Sam Byrd, all unsuccessful division 7 candidates during the 2020 election.
It is possible Sam Byrd secures the coveted 'unity' team ticket if he chooses to take another shot at the 2024 local government election in Cairns however, Jules Steer (if also running) would be very tough to beat, having secured a large number of votes in the 2020 Cairns Council Election. The Cairns Council Division 7 is the most contested seat in Cairns with a total of seven candidates running there in 2020.
After serving the Edge Hill/Whitfield community for many years, Max O'Halloran has decided it is time to let someone else have a go. Who will that be? Shane Cuthbert has met with Jules Steer, Steve Brech and Sam Byrd, all unsuccessful division 7 candidates during the 2020 election.
It is possible Sam Byrd secures the coveted 'unity' team ticket if he chooses to take another shot at the 2024 local government election in Cairns however, Jules Steer (if also running) would be very tough to beat, having secured a large number of votes in the 2020 Cairns Council Election. The Cairns Council Division 7 is the most contested seat in Cairns with a total of seven candidates running there in 2020.
Current Division Seven Councillor Max O'Halloran (Development)
Division One Councillor Max O'Halloran is a local legend, personable, welcoming and kind. Cairns Councillor Max O'Halloran is one of the more supportive Councillors of development having a background in construction and roofing.
Divison 7 Councillor Max O'Halloran also loves his sports, The former Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) and Carlton AFL player is a life member and coach with AFL Cairns, Patron of Cairns Bands and the Rondo Theatre, and a life member of Tobruk Pool and North Cairns Football Club and represents the areas of Edge Hill and Whitfield, as well as parts of Manoora, Manunda and Brinsmead. Max has stated that he will not contest the Cairns 2024 election.
Renee Lees (Community First)
Renee Lees has lived with her family in Manoora, Manunda and Edge Hill for 16 years, is a community lawyer and mum. In her work as a community lawyer, Renee Lees provides free legal support to those struggling with debt, issues related to homelessness, domestic violence and crime. Renee is also volunteer President of a local housing, homelessness and domestic violence service.
Renee Lees volunteers with many local community groups, organising a community forum on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander solutions to youth crime in addition to planting trees, each week at the Cairns swamp.
The Cairns Post recently identified Renee Lees, as one of Councillor Rob Pyne’s socialist team mates however, Renee Lees has refused to adopt similar branding, colours and policy citing ‘visibility issues with Division 4 candidate and independent Shane Cuthbert’.
Rob Pyne says that “I support Renee Lees, but she has not aligned with others, leaving her out on her own and (as I well know) being on your own makes winning really, really, hard!”.
This following a statement by Councillor Pyne that “Matthew Calanna would poll higher in Division 4 where the Calanna name is iconic. However in Division 7 his name is still well known. He has been prepared to align with others in a professional team. A capable candidate who will listen and run under ‘shared branding’ Matthew is assured of victory”.
Renee Lees has unsuccessfully attempted to align with team Amy Eden following the departure recently of team Eden Division 7 candidate and resterautuer Sam Byrd.
Renee Lees volunteers with many local community groups, organising a community forum on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander solutions to youth crime in addition to planting trees, each week at the Cairns swamp.
The Cairns Post recently identified Renee Lees, as one of Councillor Rob Pyne’s socialist team mates however, Renee Lees has refused to adopt similar branding, colours and policy citing ‘visibility issues with Division 4 candidate and independent Shane Cuthbert’.
Rob Pyne says that “I support Renee Lees, but she has not aligned with others, leaving her out on her own and (as I well know) being on your own makes winning really, really, hard!”.
This following a statement by Councillor Pyne that “Matthew Calanna would poll higher in Division 4 where the Calanna name is iconic. However in Division 7 his name is still well known. He has been prepared to align with others in a professional team. A capable candidate who will listen and run under ‘shared branding’ Matthew is assured of victory”.
Renee Lees has unsuccessfully attempted to align with team Amy Eden following the departure recently of team Eden Division 7 candidate and resterautuer Sam Byrd.
Matthew Calanna (Unity Team)
Matthew Calanna of 'Calanna Pharmacy' will run as a candidate for Cairns Regional Council in Division 7 with the Cairns Unity Team in 2024.
Matthew is a “born and bred” Cairns local with 4 generations of family members who have lived in the region, dating back to the early 1900’s. Matthew Calanna has been a resident in the Whitfield/Edgehill area for close to 14 years.
Matthew Calanna studied a Bachelor of Pharmacy, graduating in 2013 and has been a community pharmacist since then. After finishing Uni in Townsville, he returned to Cairns to join his father (Mario Calanna) in business, which at the time consisted of 2 pharmacies in Cairns – Woree and North Cairns.
Matthew Calanna took on the role of developing and growing “Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy” and expanded the network of stores. There are now 12 pharmacy locations across Cairns, Townsville, Innisfail, Atherton and the Gold Coast.
The Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy Group also directly supports numerous sporting and community organisations, schools, parishes and charities. providing monetary assistance and stocking up the first aid kits of many sporting clubs in the region over the decades covering most codes including Rugby League, Rugby Union, Netball, Soccer,Basketball, the local Men’s Shed's across our local regions, Rotary, Rosie's, the Hospital Foundation and many others.
Matthew Calanna has been a board member of the Cairns Meals of Wheels Organisation since 2012 and this is where he met and began working more closely with our local councillors as the Cairns Regional Council supported the work of Cairns Meals on Wheels.
Matthew Calanna says he has "enjoyed serving the community in my role as a pharmacist and business owner in the region. I love the Cairns region and want to use the skills I have learned and gathered within business and the community work I am involved with to keep our city growing and for Cairns to be a place for future generations to prosper, live, learn, work and enjoy for many generations to come".
Ian Moller-Neilson (Team Eden)
Ian Moller-Neilson is a dedicated and community-oriented individual with a rich background in education and public service. Ian Moller-Neilson was born in Gordonvale and raised in Little Mulgrave, giving him deep roots in the Cairns region, a true local.
Ian Moller-Neilson has had a long career as a teacher, principal, and staff development leader which reflects his commitment to the community’s well-being and growth.
Apart from experiences in teaching Ian Moller-Neilson has had diverse experiences in leadership roles, which include managing the Cairns Show Association, being a business owner, and serving as a carer.
"A successful term for me would involve seeing a reduction in council debt, better infrastructure planning, and being an effective team member in the council’s initiatives to improve the community and its environment" - Ian Moller-Neilson