BJ Walker

Objective #1

Give back to the community

The Local Government Reform Bill 2026 became official on the 21st August 2026.

Although the reform has many elements that I am supportive of, I was not supportive of the reduction in councillor numbers. The Clarence Council elected members dropped from 12 to 9 with no real cost benefit, because the allowance for these members increased at the same time.

There are very few benefits to having 29 councils in Tasmania, but having a representative councillor near and known to the people around them was one of those. This has now reduced to the only benefit of lining councillors' pockets with more money.

As an optimist, and as I'm not standing to benefit me, rather us the community, I will be using this extra allowance to put back into the community by running community events, providing services and more.

Objective #2

Expand our accessible youth engagement

There's no question that we need change with youth in Clarence. Positive assistance is one of the best paths forward to encourage, support and get long term outcomes. City of Clarence's Rosny Arvos is perhaps the best thing our council has rolled out this term and I want to see an expansion of the assistance we provide in Clarence.

Glenorchy's Mayor provides feedback on their recently opened Youth Hub, and it's extremely positive.

These programs provide real connection with members of our community which help provide pathways forward for our youth and helps build their accountability within our community.

Objective #3

RRC – Rapid Response Crew

At last Council's public meeting, councillor Bree Hunter asked about the status of a small section of foreshore track joining Little Howrah Beach to Howrah Beach. The track has had a few small sections wash out recently. Council's answer was it was "complex".

At the previous meeting Tony Mulder brought a motion forward to extend a handrail at some stairs entering Bellerive Beach. This resulted in over half an hour of debate at the meeting with no real outcome.

We don't need our council creating its own red tape. We need council to appoint a depot crew which is solely responsible and delegated to solving these issues quickly. A crew led by an experienced person able to perform multiple trades, with prompt assessment skills.

These are issues that can almost always be dealt with in weeks, not months and months, while council staff continue to receive and reply to the same complaints and questions on the same issue. Or sit in council meetings listening to councillors debate an issue that should have already been dealt with.

The simple fact is these issues will need to be done one day. The longer it takes just means the more it costs us, the ratepayers.

It's about efficiency and just getting things done.

Objective #4

Full accountability

This objective is one very few councillors can accept. As councillors, it's our role to oversee everything this council does. This typically is done through reviews of the CEO's performance, but can be done by assessment of documents councillors are provided and also general observations. It's the councillors' role to hold council accountable.

This then places the role of accountability onto councillors, because the community then hold our councillors accountable for those actions, or lack of.

I'm aware of this and the responsibility that comes with it.

As one councillor this term has mentioned countless times, "I have an open door policy". This, along with another councillor's input, was what made me start up Open Door Councillor Sessions at the Rosny Library, which I will continue to run. I will also be holding regular community catch-up sessions, through a likely BBQ or neighbour party event style setting. I will also reply to every email and phone call, no matter who it is.

Why? Because my actions as councillor are accountable to the community, and I accept that.

Objective #5

Free drop-off zone for recyclables

Nearly every other council in Tasmania has somewhere for you to drop off recyclables for free. Yet in Clarence you're charged to even drop off items like car batteries and saleable used goods which are worth money.

Many of our current councillors talk about sustainability in Clarence, yet I'm not aware any have pushed for a free drop-off area for reusable/recyclable goods. Why not?

Options could be working it in with the current Mornington Transfer Station, working it in with the Mornington Second Chance Re-Use Shop, or my preferred: activate an under-utilised council depot site and create a site-specific area accessed off Tullah Rd, which could be easily set up, manned by current depot staff and expanded if needed. Either way, I'll be pushing to make it happen.

Interested to hear people's thoughts on this one.

Objective #6

Most transparent councillor known

Objectives 6 and 7 are both about how our community sees and interacts with council/councillors.

When I'm starting conversations with members of the community, I often start with: who did you vote for last time, and why? Around 3 in 4 don't know who they voted for, and even fewer know why. That's a problem for me, when current sitting councillors are needing to put campaign signs everywhere to be re-elected, when they've had 4 years to engage and gain community trust.

Further, even those that do know who and why often don't understand the role, importance or capabilities councillors have as a majority. This needs to change.

I started the Facebook group Concerned Citizens of Clarence City Council for our community. "Its primary cause is to help people understand the things that are happening in the locality and a way/means/people/support" each other, where all councillors, candidates, community advocates and the general community can join in and create the discussion to encourage transparent, robust debate.

I'll be using this group to share all my councillor roles, decisions and sharable information to get the community involved and knowledgeable about how our council works and the information behind the decisions we make.

Objective #7

Council community centre

Council Chambers vs Council Community Centre. The us and them notion is holding this council back from its potential. We need to introduce ways within council so every single resident, visitor, shop owner etc feels welcome and equal.

Council Chambers is where this should start. This building should be inviting and should incorporate services of cohesion. Council's recent inclusion of a recycling wall was a step in the right direction. What other inclusions could we have? A sitting/coffee making area, outside seating/garden area, Justice of the Peace during business hours, notice board, new layout. Thoughts?

How comfortable are you to ask a question or make a deputation at a council meeting? Clarence is the last council in Tasmania to continue to hold onto its structured meeting protocols over a more relaxed, inviting environment for its community to see and work with its representatives. A new layout and comfy chairs might even be a start.

I'm interested to hear other ideas of what you think would make our council chambers more like a community centre.

Objective #8

Bellerive Quay carpark + retail

Clarence City Council have several carpark sites marked for future carpark redevelopment. The carpark behind Bellerive Quay is one of those. I'll be pushing for this to proceed, firstly with community input, followed by detailed architectural and engineering plans, so that a business case can be created to progress this project into reality.

This site can accommodate an increase in parking for Bellerive, along with retail outlets and possibilities for office/apartments also.

Council have masterplans galore, but until someone makes a call to do something in one of them, they serve no purpose. This council needs to embrace areas like Bellerive and keep pushing forward to provide reasonable parking and infrastructure to complement its private growth.