Denis Reid runs for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council on Kenrick Winchester’s ticket

The Group F candidate is standing on Kenrick Winchester’s ticket.

A lot has changed since he first campaigned and was elected Queanbeyan City Council Alderman in 1987 when there was talk of a casino for the city. 

He said he was compelled to stand after hearing Kenrick Winchester’s “innovative ideas about Queanbeyan’s future”. 

The long-time resident said previous councils had watched on as the heart of the town suffered and he wanted to step up and find a fix.

“We need to attract people back in and stop wasting money on areas we won't need it,” he said. 

There are a few policies and proposals he doesn’t support. 

“I don’t agree with trying to close the caravan park down in Queanbeyan and I don’t agree with the cemetery out at Burra.” 

And unlike many Group F candidates Mr Reid is opposed to the local council subsidizing a cinema.

“I don’t believe we need a cinema,” he said. “When I was on the board of the Leagues Club we looked at having a cinema put in there. We couldn’t get anyone that was interested because the patronage wouldn't be there to pay for it.” 

The avid runner, who is regularly training for ultra-marathon events, said footpaths around the city needed leveling and upgrading and it was likely this was needed across Palerang too.

The grandfather is also concerned about hip pocket issues for residents and said council childcare processes needed to be revised to be fairer for families.

“If you give notice that your child won’t be there they will always fill that place with another child, but they still charge you,” he said. 

“They’d bring in a kid off the bench for the time my grandson missed and would charge those parents too. If that’s not double dipping I don’t know what is.”