Four years ago, she suffered the disappointment of loss after coming within 102 votes of toppling a popular and long-term local councillor. And now Vicki Howard has claimed the Brisbane City Council CBD ward of Central for the LNP with a swing of more than 8 per cent her way.
She easily accounted for Labor candidate Dr Heather Beattie who stepped in after the man selected to replace retiring Labor stalwart David Hinchliffe, Paul Crowther, resigned for personal reasons.
When The Independent caught up with Vicki for this picture in the Chinatown mall, the Queensland Electoral Commission had just declared her ward, with Vicki gaining 58.38 per cent of the two -party vote. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk also comfortably saw off his Labor challenger Ray Smith with 68.29 per cent.
A proud Vicki told us she was delighted with her victory and wanted to thank Central Ward voters for giving her the great honour of representing them in civic council. She pledged to work tirelessly on their behalf for the next four years.
And just so voters can keep her to her word, here’s a summary of the promises Vicki made during the campaign.
1. Get on with the job dealing with our traffic congestion and public transport infrastructure
Committed to delivering increased safety, traffic congestion reduction and improved access across the city’s road network for the benefit of the residents of Central Ward.
2. Keep living costs down and protect jobs with Team Quirk's economic and investment focus.
Committed to working hard to ensure the Lord Mayor’s Brisbane Economic Development Plan and other LNP initiatives give the business community the backbone and confidence to seek out new opportunities. Committed to working hard to ensure the residents of Central Ward are at the centre of this economic growth. Wants inner-city neighbourhoods to be the engine room and that the inner-city area has the opportunity to be part of this and is determined to re-energise our local community.
3. Upgrade footpaths in Central Ward.
Will work together with Council to upgrade footpaths in Central Ward.
4. Playground upgrades
Committed to making Central Ward parks attractive and accessible for all citizens. New Farm Park set to receive all abilities playground equipment so people with a disability can enjoy the park and utilise dedicated play equipment. The parks in Central Ward are places for residents and visitors to enjoy the great outdoors as well as offering accessible facilities to encourage active and healthy lifestyles and cater for our growing community.
5. Substantial upgrade of Centenary Pool and playground equipment at pools.
Council has announced it will invest $2.3 million into upgrading the Centenary swimming pool over the next two years, with work on the popular inner city facility is expected to commence in late 2012.
6. Road upgrades
Committed to delivering increased safety, traffic congestion reduction and improved access across the city’s road network.
7. Parking
The LNP council was working very closely with the residents of Central Ward to ensure they can park outside their homes. Committed to ensuing local parking is a priority, not a political view.
