Councillor Baines Marks Ten Years Of Service

Cassowary Coast Council’s Cr Jeff Baines recently celebrated a decade of serving the community as a Division 5 Councillor.  

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His proudest achievements during that time include bringing funds from the federal government to protect the Great Barrier Reef as Chair of Reef Guardian Councils, as well as seeing the local projects like the Innisfail CBD Masterplan and Warrina Lakes Masterplan progress and bring benefits to the community.  

“I’ve been very fortunate to live in this beautiful town for twenty five years,” Cr Baines said.  

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“My wife’s family are from here, my kids are 5^th generation… I feel like I’m part of this community, this is my family.”  

Throughout his time as a councillor, Cr Baines has highlighted the importance of looking after the environment, for the future generations as well as the wider community.  

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“Protecting our national assets is really important,” he said.  

“We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world…”

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“[Protecting the environment is] something we should all think about but we can do it in practical ways that have value for everyone including the community, including agriculture, including industry.”  

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As for the most challenging part of the last decade? Cr Baines cited transitioning from a small business background and “learning patience, learning process, learning government skills.”

“You can’t just make things happen.” He explained.  

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“We have to think about decisions we make, what’s going to be happening in 10, 20 30 years that may come out of those decisions.

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“What keeps me motivated is when we get projects on the ground and the community can see them happening and the great benefits that come out of that.”  

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When asked what message he has for the community, Cr Baines said:

“It’s been an honour to serve the last ten years. It will continue to be an honour for the next ten years and I would like to continue my work into the future- I’m not done yet, there’s plenty for us to do.”

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