Rockhampton City Council

Is Tom Wyatt our next mayor?

TOM Wyatt, the man credited with greening Rockhampton, is considering a dramatic return to City Hall.

Mr Wyatt, whose long association with council was severed in controversial fashion when he agreed in October 2008 to a redundancy deal after being disciplined for the death of baby ibises at the Botanic Gardens, is seriously considering a tilt at the office of mayor or a councillor.

“I have been approached by numerous people to throw my hat into the ring,” said the Capricorn Coast-based gardening expert yesterday.

“I haven't made any decision ... I am a spectator, but there is a lot of pressure for me to be there and I will consider this and feel things out.”

The Bulletin understands there are a number of other high-profile candidates queuing up for a crack at the region's top job with an election due next March.

However, former Mount Morgan mayor Gavin Finch is the only one who has confirmed he is a definite challenger to Brad Carter, who previously has said he will run again.

Tim Griffin, who ran third in the 2008 mayoral race, is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Those who have ruled themselves out include Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten, Capricorn Coast councillor Bill Ludwig, former mayoral candidates Vicki Bastin-Byrne and Gerald Victor and prominent businessman Grant Cassidy.

The departure of Mr Wyatt, the long-term Rockhampton City Council parks and recreation manager, so soon after the formation of the new regional council was front-page news in 2008 with many people showing their support.

He had previously been brought back to council in 2000 to take control of the parks and garden department after he had lost the job in 1997 during a controversial council restructure.

Mr Wyatt said he was disappointed in the current direction of council.

“Of course I am disappointed about what is happening,” Mr Wyatt said.

“A lot of people are complaining about how bureaucrats and ex-bureaucrats have taken over council.

“Not all are happy with this outcome.

“Council has to be held accountable.”

He said he had picked up much during more than three decades at City Hall. He started in 1974.

“I'm the only one left who has served under the best, former mayors Rex Pilbeam and Jim Webber,” Mr Wyatt said.

“They taught me a lot of things.

Council in tizz over 'lifeguard' row | Rockhampton News | Local ...

THE Gold Coast City Council has got its Speedos in a twist over what it sees as a threat to an iconic part of the Australian vernacular.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) was granted trademark protections in relation to the word "lifeguard" last year, but only revealed the fact this week.

The council is so worried that it might one day have to pay to use the term that it's ordered lawyers to look at grounds for a legal appeal.

But the SLSA says the council and other organisations who use lifeguards have nothing to worry about, and it's wrong to suggest the generic word "lifeguard" had been trademarked.

"What we've done is trademarked a range of different things like T-shirts, water bottles, sun shades and beach towels that the name can be used on," he told AAP.

"None of them include rescue equipment or vehicles.

"We'll be sitting down with the Gold Coast City Council at the earliest opportunity to explain everything, make sure they understand what this is all about, and allay their fears."

But it might be a bit late for that.

Councillor Bob La Castra, who heads the council's Community Services Committee, says he's lost faith in the lifesaving organisation.

Mr La Castra has asked lawyers to examine any grounds that might exist for a legal challenge, and that advice could be available as early as Friday.

"You can't trust them, purely because of the way they've gone about this," he said.

He's concerned that every lifeguard service in Australia - from our most famous beaches and theme parks to swimming pools in country towns - could be charged at some time in the future to use the lifeguard tag.

"It's ridiculous. It's like trademarking the word plumber," he said.

Mr La Castra said the SLSA brand had taken a hit from the way it had handled the issue.

"They seem to have bitten the very hand that feeds them," he said.

"We've been very supportive of them financially over the years and this is a very strange thing for them to do. I'd like to see them drop the whole thing."

Mr La Castra said he couldn't put any faith in SLSA's assurances that the trademark provisions wouldn't lead to charges down the track.

He said future administrations might try to raise money by charging legitimate operators to use the tag.

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