A CROWDED field of five candidates have already announced their bid to represent division nine with five months to go until the 2020 Logan City Council election.
Radical changes have been made to division nine following a redistribution.
The electorate has expanded west to include suburbs like Mundoolun, Tamborine and parts of South Maclean and Jimboomba.
It will no longer cover Waterford West, Logan Reserve, Park Ridge South, Park Ridge and parts of Chambers Flat and Crestmead.
Helen Cowley, Scott Bannan, Mathew Owens, Rob Morris and Bob Lye are among the candidates vying to represent the community.
Scott Bannan
FORMER One Nation candidate for Logan Scott Bannan quit the party and is running as an independent.
The Jimboomba resident of 45 years said he was opposed to high density housing developments and would work to preserve the rural feel of the electorate.
"You are never going to stop growth but it is important to sit down with the right people and get the best outcome for the area," he said.
Mr Bannan spoke in support of former division 11 councillor Trevina Schwarz, who was suspended following CCC charges of allegedly causing a dishonest detriment to former CEO Sharon Kelsey.
"I think you are innocent until proven guilty," he said.
"My opinion of Trevina from a personal and business point of view is that she was unbelievable. If she ran again she would win and if Trevina was running again I wouldn't run."
Mr Bannan said he quit One Nation after 12 months and believed political parties had no place in local government.
"I would have to work with Jon Krause (LNP) on one end and Linus Power (Labor) on the other end, so being in a political party is the worst thing you can do," he said.
"I have to work with both of them and I get along well with them."
Helen Cowley
FORMER Jimboomba Chamber of Commerce president Helen Cowley has identified infrastructure and environmental needs as key issues for division nine.
The 30-year resident of Munruben and independent candidate said legal issues which led to the dismissal of previously elected councillors opened the door for new local leaders to step up.
"Now is the time for Logan to move forward with a new focus and new ideas, being open and approachable is paramount, listening to the community to make honest and transparent decisions," she said.
Ms Cowley is a 2018 Logan Business Distinction Awards winner and has spent the past 25 years supporting small businesses while running her own enterprise.
She fought for improvements to the Mount Lindesay Highway as a community representative at Ministerial Regional Community forums.
Rob Morris
DIVISION nine Rob Morris has declared his passion to build a safer and stronger community.
Mr Morris is a member of the Labor Party, but is running as an independent and has not sought endorsement from the party.
He has lived in Logan for 47 years and said he had a track record of supporting local businesses.
His election platform includes support for seniors, people with disabilities, local teams, community groups and schools.
Mr Morris said his priorities were to generate local employment opportunities and build parks, bikeways and playgrounds.
Mathew Owens
JIMBOOMBA resident Mathew Owens has vowed to take a business friendly approach if he claims victory in division nine.
Mr Owens is a member of the LNP, but is running as an independent and has not sought endorsement from the party.
He works in business management and battery sales and has experience working in vet clinics.
Fighting for infrastructure, striking a balance between environment and development and providing value for ratepayer's money are among Mr Owen's priorities.
"There needs to be a massive spend on infrastructure due to developments already being done. This requires strong working relationships with all state and federal counterparts regardless of party or personality," he said.
"If we don't have successful local businesses, we do not have a strong community .... we do not have local jobs either.
"The more we can get work local and buy local, the stronger we will all be."
Bob Lye
INDEPENDENT candidate for division nine Bob Lye was a former alderman of Logan City Council in the 1980s.
