CMC inquiry fails to faze Ludwig
BILL Ludwig might be facing a CMC code of conduct inquiry, but he says nothing will force him to change the way he represents the public.
The councillor-elect, a comfortable winner in Division 3, is relaxed about the latest whiff of controversy to blow his way and expects to be exonerated by the official examination of a complaint against him.
"I have not been told officially about the nature of the complaint," he said yesterday, "but if it is what I think it is I am confident I have done nothing inappropriate."
It is understood the complaint relates to his intervention in the proposed eviction of a resident from Beachside Caravan Park after a New Year's Eve party.
Cr Ludwig says when he was told about the eviction he asked senior council officials if he could see the justification for it.
"I don't know the constituent from a bar of soap but I didn't think it was right to throw someone out of their home for one incident.
"When the matter was examined by a senior officer the eviction notice was withdrawn and the resident was issued with a warning.
"I am very comfortable about what I did, which was basically to ask a question. I didn't direct anyone or act inappropriately."
He said it was a councillor's duty to ask questions of bureaucrats and challenge decisions which appeared harsh or inconsistent.
He said after four years of turmoil and often vicious clashes with the mayor and other councillors he was looking forward to the new council with optimism.
"I will play a very constructive role, as I always tried to during the last council.
"I hope the new council will be conducted in a better spirit."
But he confirmed his intention to continue to press for self-rule for the Capricorn Coast in a twin-cities model.
"We envisage a positive, productive partnership with Rockhampton, not a complete split."
