Lend a hand for renters

“What the government needs to do is look at changing NRAS so it has more relevance and achieves what it set out to do, or consider other forms of assistance such as bringing back some of the grants and other incentives that were obviously phased out too soon.”

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Economically Environmentally Conscious

With inflation all over the place MBRC must not add to inflationary pressures. This means that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past when it comes to the matter of debt and any measure which increases debt. Debt equals higher rates and borrowing supports squeezing those people when they can least afford it. Deliver services not debt.

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Keeping Rents Low

Dean Teasdale – Business, Community, Results, Moreton Bay Region keeping rents low. Taking the pressure of rates of increasing rents in the region.

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Accessible and Accountable

Open access to local government. Moreton Bay Regional Council. Redcliffe, Deception Bay, Cabootlure, Pine Rivers.

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Community

Dean Teasdale – Community representation local government

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Lend a hand for renters Economically Environmentally Conscious Keeping Rents Low Accessible and Accountable Community

Nov
29

Lend a hand for renters

by deanteasdale

29th of November 2011

Dean Teasdale Director of First National Redcliffe says government needs to do more to support renters and provide better assistance than is currently offered through the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

 “While we support NRAS, it is no longer enough in its existing form, to meet rising rents, leaving those most in need of assistance flailing in their efforts to make ends meet,” Dean Teasdale said.

“It could soon be the case that with falling house prices, lower interest rates and reduced consumer confidence, purchasing a home will make more economic sense for those doing it tough, where the monthly mortgage is not too far off what they are paying for rent.”

According to Dean Teasdale, evidence of improving housing affordability can be garnered through recent home value index results.

“Home values recently posted the best results in seven months and the recent cuts to interest rates, along with talk there may be even further drops, is resulting in NRAS losing some of its validity as an assistance package, especially for those who are finding it difficult to come up with the rent each week or month,” Mr Teasdale said.

“What the government needs to do is look at changing NRAS so it has more relevance and achieves what it set out to do, or consider other forms of assistance such as bringing back some of the grants and other incentives that were obviously phased out too soon.”

Dean Teasdale said although it is good news for the property market that home buyer activity is increasing as a result of the market conditions, it is not good when it is done at the expense of those renters who can least afford it.

“It is always encouraging to hear that more people are realising their dreams of home ownership, but there also exists the reality that there are those in our community who are forced into rental accommodation and can ill afford to fall behind in any way at all in keeping pace with rental increases,” Mr Teasdale said.

“In these situations, they need access to assistance schemes that meet their circumstances and offer real assistance, which NRAS initially did, but has since failed to recognise the growing demand of assistance required, making it virtually obsolete.

“We don’t see property market conditions altering too dramatically in the near future, and certainly not to the extent that they will improve the situation for struggling renters.”

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Nov
26

Economically Environmentally Conscious

by deanteasdale

One of the reasons for amalgamation was to foster political leadership to ensure that the environmental challenges of the region can be met.  The region is one of the fastest growing in the country and it needs regional leadership born out of Councillors, who can work together, cooperate, to excercis a responsibility to give consideration to the environmental impact of council’s decisions.

Its all about the future looking at the yardstick for example of population figures for 2026 the Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) must be an environmentally conscious council.

The opportunity remains to start to take decisions from an environmentally conscious stand point. Residents need to be sure that councillors will not hinder that progression?

MBRC needs to be a lean green council to take step in the direction taking pressure of rates. 

With inflation all over the place MBRC must not add to inflationary pressures.  This means that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past when it comes to the matter of debt and any measure which increases debt. Debt equals higher rates and borrowing supports squeezing those people when they can least afford it.  Deliver services not debt.

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Nov
26

Keeping Rents Low

by deanteasdale

For all tenants here’s a plan that can put downward local government pressure on rents.  Your voice counts and can make a difference.

1. Rates
2. Supply
3. Red Tape

Keeping rates low; landlords pass increases in rates onto tenants in the form of higher rents. By providing more and better council services off the current budget base this will limit the future need for increasing rates.

Increasing the supply of affordable housing; Right now demand outstrips supply. By increasing the opportunity for the construction of new affordable housing this will even up the balance in favour of lower rents.

Cutting red tape on the buying and selling of properties as well as cost for developers will deliver a cheaper product (house) for investors. This may also mean more investors in the market and lead to lower rents.

Moreton Bay Regional Council can be a local government which takes on the challenge of high rents and makes living within the region more affordable for tenants.  Challenge our local government to do everything they can to keep the pressure of rents in our region.

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Nov
26

Accessible and Accountable

by deanteasdale

There’s been lots of talk recently about grand new solutions for local government. The time has past for talking about practical solutions to counter the ongoing challenges post amalgamation and real action is now well overdue and required.

For example four years ago the proposal of council investigating the option of broadcasting general meetings via the internet was raised. Not exactly riveting viewing?

But consider this. An issue you are interested in comes up in a meeting to be held at say Strathpine.

The issue is about not allowing the tyranny of distance to freeze residents out of the council and debate.

We’ve seen tactics like this already used before by councils. Things like bag checks and security guards to close down access to genereal meeting.   This isn’t on, the community must regain control of their council.

Its about accessibility and accountability. After all, it’s our council.

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Nov
26

Community

by deanteasdale

For many years I have been involved with community organisations and in initiatives that have benefitted local communities. I understand that hard work does reward many and that modern suburban communities need government support towards actions that provide safety and security.  As a local resident raising a young family I have a vested interest in ensuring our community is safe and vibrant.

Working with together as a local community we can fight crime and anti-social behaviour.  I am fully aware of the challenges facing local families. Families create the secure foundation of which people can build their lives and hold our community together. My goal is to build a stronger community so that we can start enjoying the benefits of the same.

As a local business person and father I have a strong commitment to my local and broader community. I want to ensure a quality lifestyle for my family and their future. To me, this means safe roads supported by adequate policing, more opportunities for recreation and education and definitely better health facilities.

Children are a constant reminder of the need for the local community to have access to a quality education, a first-class health system and important infrastructure such as roads and public transport. Our children are our future, and I want to work together with the people together to build a better future for local businesses and families.

I want to make sure that people who wish to get up and give something a go aren’t hamstrung by bureaucracy or red tape, or crippling taxes and that new initiatives that provide opportunities to the community are encouraged and assisted.

With your support we can achieve a better future.

Dean Teasdale

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Jul
18

Carbon Tax Info

by deanteasdale

Attached is a response received to a request for inforation relating to the Carbon Tax.

MP for Petrie Carbon Tax Response

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Jul
10

Community Representation

by deanteasdale

A practical plan for community representation;

> Be approachable
> Listen
> Take action
> Follow-up

We rightly expect our representatives to have a drive, ability and to possess the political integrity to be an honest broker for the community on important issues so we can go forward with one voice and one plan. Community interests should always be the number 1 priority.

As a small business operator who has a young family, a mortgage and bills I understand the pressure that increasing cost of living has on local families. We need representatives at all levels of government who can support the community at a time of high inflation and increasing interest rates. The environmental climate might be changing gradually but the political and economic environment is dynamic.

Children are a constant reminder of the need for the local community to have access to a quality education, a first-class health system and important infrastructure such as roads and public transport. Our children are our future, and working with the community our representatives can build a better future for local businesses and families.

It’s important to make sure that people who wish to get up and give something a go aren’t hamstrung by bureaucracy or red tape, or crippling taxes and that new initiatives that provide opportunities to the community are encouraged and assisted.

I have embarked on a very public life because I believe in our community, I have a strong and vested interest in ensuring that it is a safe and vibrant place to live. That we have access to quality services. That we have a strong local economy which provides opportunities for those who are willing to invest effort in making a better life for themselves, their families and our community.

I want our community to continue to be a great, but to do that we need strong economic growth, sound planning and a commitment to our local environment

I feel a great sense of connection to this community and in large part because I feel a profound sense of connection to the story of one of the fastest growing regions in Australia — a story that is playing out in opportunities for growth and we all deserve it to be a story of great innovation and success.

Our challenge is to understand the lesson of the past and to build a better future for our community. We can achieve this through a practical plan for community representation.

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Jun
14

2011 Qld state budget

by deanteasdale

This Qld budget is sending out the wrong signal. I have to ask firstly does removing the ambulance levy actually do anything about electricity prices. Clearly not. Does promoting a $10,000 gift to those who can afford to purchase and build a new house in this market really address the housing affordability crisis in the South East. Does the abolition of stamp duty relief for owner occupiers at a time of higher borrowing cost through higher interest rates really do anything other than further cripple the property market for the family home.

The signal is that the real challenges are beyond Queensland. Perhaps they are just beyond this government.

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May
24

Real trades training opportunities for locals

by deanteasdale

In 2007 The Australian Technical College of Scarborough was established by the Howard government to meet head on a trade skills shortage. It provided trainees with the opportunity to learn in an environment which recognised encouraged and rewarded their technical skill and ability. Unfortunately once Labor was elected one of the first actions of then Minister Julia Gillard was to defund the ATC and to in effect leave it as private school.

I am told by parents that the school has been forced to raise its fees and now many students who would have thrived at the college can no longer afford to attend. These are parents who want to see a continuation of the provision of a quality education to their children our young apprentices.
So what was proposed to replace these centres well apparently trades training centres in every high school some 2650 of them? What’s been delivered just isn’t a solution to our traditional trades training needs locally in say plumbing, electrical and carpentry. Real Trades.

I am impressed by the resilience of the ATCNB to adapt to a lack a funding and by the dedication of a highly skilled management team and board. However this is about providing real trades training opportunities for locals.

We need a government who is prepared to do more about education from a practical standpoint not just build overpriced memorial halls. We need a commitment to reinstate funding to our technical college to again encourage students to learn a trade and gain a career that will deliver valuable skills for our local community.

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Sep
30

Cost of living

by deanteasdale

Labor is labor is labor.  Its waste, debt and mismanagement which cripple budgets and lead to a need for higher taxes and increased revenue raising. 

A better government and management of the budget could have avoided the billion dollar blow-out in the home insulation program.  This may have assisted in ensuring that Petrie school students would be seeing more of the promised computers actually reach classrooms.  This may have avoided the need to cut $1.8 Million from our local Australian Trades Centre budget slashing the number of trainees gain real tradition trades training.  The better management of the economy may have allowed for an increase in the aged pension for local pensioners when it was first proposed by the coalition.  Sound stable economic management of the economy by the coalition would have ensured that interest rates were lower under a liberal national government. 

Labor promised to do something about cost of living pressures but just sat back and planned to watch.  They gave us six interest rate increases in just ten months, and Labor continues to put upward pressure on interest rates. They scrapped their 2007 election promise to build 260 new childcare centres, and cut the maximum childcare rebate by more than $250 per child.  Labor’s great big new tax on mining will cost jobs, hit superannuation and lead to even higher electricity and consumer prices.

I look forward to a strong stable government which may come in the next term of the parliament or the next but will be not soon enough for the families of Petrie who are still under significant and rising cost of living pressures.

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