Katherine Mayor Candidate Mel Doyle says she’s keen to change the town’s narrative and attract more tourists, committing to enhance safety and security, do more beautification and be approachable to the community

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, we are continuing to meet some of the candidates
for the race for mayor in Catherine and joining us
on the line right now is Mel Doyle. Good morning, Mel,
Morning Katie.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
How are you?

Speaker 1 (00:12):
Yeah? Really good now? Mel, We've got about six minutes
and a number of questions to get through. You're ready
to get started, yep, let's go all right?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Mel?

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Why did you decide to put your hand up to
be the next mayor of Catherine.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
I've got a strong background in local government, working in
community and economic development, and I've been through that experience
with Nicky at the coffee shop, with the recent assaults
and just changing the narrative. We've had a bad narrative
with everyone coming through. We speak to a lot of
tourists every day where you know, oh, Catherine's not the
place to come. That's wrong. Catherine's a beautiful place to come.

(00:47):
And we want our tourists to keep coming, and we
want to change that narrative to encourage more and more
people to come here. Now, that's my main focus is that.

Speaker 1 (00:54):
Yeah, yeah, Now, when it comes to your work experience
or qualifications, what do you like, what do you do
you bring which you think makes you best placed for
the position of me.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
Community connection, working hard for the people in the community,
creating events and community connection. That social connectedness is very
important in a community. I have an economic background in
tourism as well. I come from out back Queensland where
I worked in Winton for twelve years and then north
up in Concurry doing the same thing, creating events and

(01:26):
working with the community on the ground, rolling up my
sleeves and being a real hard worker and listening to
the community.

Speaker 1 (01:32):
Mel, what do you see as the most important issues
in Catherine for the council to deal with?

Speaker 2 (01:40):
Security? I think CCTVs actual lighting at night time, ensuring
that everyone's safe visitors and community alike. Beautification, making sure
our tourisms have Tourists have a great experience when they
come here, but the locals are very proud of their place,
their community, where they live. And it's what's the simple

(02:00):
things that we can improve and make a big difference.

Speaker 1 (02:04):
Mel, what are your top three commitments to voters.

Speaker 2 (02:09):
I'm going to be a hard worker. I'm a great listener.
I'm very transparent. Anyone can approach me whenever and wherever
they see me in the street. If I'm at Wallie's
I encourage everybody to come and talk to me. I'm very,
very honest. I'll be straight. If I can't do something,
I'll do and try my hardest to find out how
I do and find a way or a solution for

(02:29):
everybody concerned. But yeah, I'm just a foot soldier. I'm
not a career politician, but I really really want to
work hard for Catherine Mel.

Speaker 1 (02:37):
Have you ever been a member of a political party
or are you currently a member of a political party?

Speaker 2 (02:43):
No, I'm not.

Speaker 1 (02:44):
No, Mel, You've still got a bit of time left,
about three minutes. Why should people vote for you?

Speaker 2 (02:51):
If people vote for me, they know that they've got
somebody that they can come and talk to. Like I
said before, I'm a very straight up, honest I call
a spade. I will fight hard. I don't stop at
every roadblock. I will endeavor to find a solution to
every problem, partner with any department that I need to
partner with to fine that solution. I know we're limited

(03:14):
by what we do at council, but I don't get
into the mud with everybody. I'm very positive. I'm a
very go hard, happy and yeah, find a solution to
everything kind of girl. Anyone that knows me or anyone
that wants to get to know me. You'll find that
in the first five minutes. And I'm a very happy,
hard working, transparent in your face and won't take no

(03:34):
for an answer.

Speaker 1 (03:35):
Now, anything else you'd like to add before I let
you go.

Speaker 2 (03:40):
No, you just wrote Maldoyle for mayor even counselor You'll
you won't have a better foot soldier than maldol. I
can tell you it's your work hard, you go hard.
And yeah, and I love Catherine. Catherine means the world
to me.

Speaker 1 (03:51):
Well, I tell you what, Mel You've answered the questions
very efficiently and effectively this morning. Thank you so much
for your.

Speaker 2 (03:57):
Time, no worries. Thanks K and everybody listening.

Speaker 1 (04:01):
Thank you