Moreton Bay is a new council that has been severely traumatized by its forced amalgamation. It was formed from the Pine Rivers and Caboolture Shires and the city of Redcliffe and the residents aren’t happy.  40 percent thought their local council was heading in the wrong direction, and 65% nominated amalgamation as the reason for their response. Only 35 percent thought their local council was heading in the right direction.

Joy Leishman the mayor of Caboolture and Allan Sutherland mayor of Redcliffe are both contesting this election. Our polling suggests that they are the front-runners, and that a third candidate, Peter Houston, is also a possible. Leishman and Sutherland both draw support from their existing areas, Leishman more strongly than Sutherland. This is probably because Houston is also a Redcliffe City Councillor and competes with Sutherland for Redcliffe City votes.

There are no over-riding issues that will determine this election. The character of the candidates and their policies on the environment will be the most important issues, and it is issues about candidates that appear to predominate. If it weren’t for the amalgamations I suspect that residents would have been looking to return the status quo in their area.