General News
16 April, 2025
Richters ‘moving house’?
Possibility Richters moving to new Council portfolio
By Elizabeth Voneiff and Selina Venier
It's all about timing and this week, our print deadline of April 14 doesn't do many favours on Councillor Joel Richters' fate for the Portfolio of Housing, currently in his lap as a local representative.
The April 16 Ordinary Meeting (this Wednesday) will decide if Cr Richters' role will be trimmed down to just "Major Events" as a portfolio, while Housing, according to the publicised agenda, might be given to Deputy Mayor, Sheryl Windle.
Of the possibility, at the time of our print deadline, Cr Richters told our newspaper he remains "deeply committed" to housing on the Southern Downs, no matter the outcome.
"Housing is something that I am passionate about and was a big part of my campaign to run for council," Cr Richters told The Journal. "Regardless, this will not change." Cr Richters has indicated that he will "have more to say" after this week's council meeting.
Historically, Cr Richters has been heavily involved in improving the housing situation in the Southern Downs.
As we go to print, the explanation seems to revolve around “Town Planning” which was “identified during the election campaign as one of the key issues for the Southern Downs community. Council is embarking on a large piece of work during 2025 to undertake amendments to the Planning Scheme. Moving Planning from a portfolio item will give better oversight from all Councillors.”
In the last ordinary meeting of Council, a recommended amendment to councillors' portfolios was voted to lay on the table until an information session could be held. That information session was held on April 2. As a result, the recommendation to reconfigure portfolio contents to “achieve better alignment with similar areas of responsibility and with Council’s Executive Leadership Team,” and ensure that councillors all work on topics “that are core Council business” which does not include housing. Instead, focus will remain on “budget, planning and governance”.
The recommendation, which was handed down by CEO Rachel Brophy, indicates that “this will ensure the good management of Council business.”
We will continue to follow this story.
