As pre-polling is in full swing for the Division 7 By-Election, residents in the area will officially hit the polls this Saturday, October 7.

Division 7 is a large electorate, covering inner city suburbs such as the CBD, Eastern Heights, Raceview, Silkstone, Coalfalls, Sadliers Crossing, West Ipswich, Woodend and Raceview. The enrolment figures for this Division stand at 12,397 voters.

Previous Councillor and now Mayor Andrew Antoniolli has left a large legacy for the nine potential candidates to fill. With none of them serving in council before, all nine are pushing the agenda of fresh blood and an open and accountable council.

Your candidates are:

Greg Forster
– Accredited national award winning financial planner
– Born and bred Ipswich local since 1977
– Stands for better health services, better public transport, an improvement campaign for footpaths, kerbs and guttering and an open and accountable council.

Darren Baldwin
– Works for Ipswich West MP Jim Madden
– Previously ran for Division 9 against Sheila Ireland
– Stands for the revitalisation of the Mall, an emergency evacuation centre at the Ipswich Showgrounds and restoring older streets.

Mark McConnell
– Regional Director, South West Queensland of Housing and Homelessness for the Department of Housing and Public Works
– Division 7 resident for 20+ years
– Stands for a “Your Voice” hub, redesigning a replacement of the Hayden Centre and being a new voice in Council.

Dave Martin
– Teacher
– Born and bred Ipswich local
– Stands for youth engagement, community and families as well as transparency and the revitalisation of the Mall

Mike McInnes
– Principal of Yellow Brick Road
– Lived in Ipswich for more than a decade
– Stands for partisan politics, equality for all and strengthening the community, increasing business investment and improving the lives of residents.

Rochelle Caloon
– Small Business Owner
– Long term Ipswich Resident
– Stands for championing transparent and effective decision-making across all areas in the public interest.

David Austin
– Hairdresser
– Originally from Ipswich, but has recently returned to settle back here
– Stands for creating a balance between the arts and sports and will not be backed by the ALP despite being a member.

Wayne Firns
– Boilermaker
– Following a grassroots campaign, with no social media presence