Leila’s planning a new Southern Downs
LEILA Torrens has worked for councils in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi and now has her sights on a councillor role at the Southern Downs Regional Council.
Originally from the UK, she and husband Shane bought property on the Granite Belt in 2008 and now, with their son Ned and daughter Phoebe, call Wyberba home.
Leila has worked as a town planner for 20 years, including 12 years with the Brisbane City Council and a stint in Abu Dhabi.
“It was great because we were turning the desert into one of the world’s greatest cities,” she said.
Acknowledging a disconnect in the current council, she said her experience in Brisbane showed her how an effective council should run.
“They kept each other informed of what was going on,” she said.
“I’d like to see a more collaborative council.
“That’s not just amongst the councillors. I think the councillors need to collaborate more with council officers.
“I think there’s a big disconnect at the moment.”
Leila is passionate about promoting growth and new businesses. “Essentially the council is broken and it needs fixing and we need new people with new ideas, and people with real world experience,” she said.
“If we don’t have new ideas, better strategic visioning and financial management, the Southern Downs will either stagnate or go backwards, it won’t go forwards.”
She is behind Stanthorpe’s Streetscape Plan.
“I think it’s exactly what we need to make Stanthorpe stand out,” she said.
