Name: Dominique Hodgkinson.
Age: 37.
Status: In a relationship with Jamie Davis.
Current or past employment, retired or otherwise:
I opened Property Excellence in 2016 as I had a vision to build a real-estate agency where everyone matters. I run an annual tenant Christmas promotion in which three tenants win a hamper and every other tenant who’s paid their rent in advance receives a gift from me. I give tradies Christmas gifts, send birthday cards to tenants and landlords, give settlement hampers to sellers and buyers and work with organisations to assist with housing needs. Every person matters, and if my business can help and show people that they matter, that’s a good reason to be in business.
I built Property Excellence from scratch. From memory, I made about $130 in the first month. I worked two other jobs in the interim and put in massive hours to grow my business to what it is today. I understand the meaning of putting in the hard work to achieve results.
How long have you lived in the Moree shire?
I was born and raised in the Moree Plains Shire, primarily in Moree, with part of my childhood in Garah. My partner, Jamie, and I both have family at Garah. Jamie grew up in Garah and it’s ironic that our lives didn’t really intertwine until a little over nine years ago, as both our families in Garah are close friends. I spent two of my adult years living in Cairns, but the Moree Plains, as it does, drew me back home.
What part of the shire do you live?
We live on 25 acres in the Stonnington area of Moree. We purchased a block of units in Moree a few years back, as from my professional experience, Moree is a wonderful town to invest in.
Have you had any previous roles, either as an employee or volunteer in local, state or federal government?
I’ve been serving on the Floodplain Risk Management committee since 2018. I think many people on that committee would call me very vocal when it comes to advocating for the community and ensuring that their voices are heard. Myself, along with other committee members, advocated strongly throughout the levee feasibility study to ensure that those in the community who would have been negatively impacted if a levee proceeded, had their voices and concerns heard. I believe it’s imperative Council considers impacts before making decisions, which is why I so strongly believe in advocating for the community.
What are the main reasons you are standing for council?
I believe the right approach to entering a Council election and term is not to want to achieve X-Y-Z, but rather to understand the needs of the community are ever-changing. As such, it is important to have an open mind, be able to listen to the community as a whole, have the ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the community and to be able work with all councillors and the community as a whole to achieve positive outcomes.
The main reasons I am standing for Council is to ensure the communities’ voices are heard and to advocate, promote for positive outcomes, ensure transparency and work with all Councillors and the community to help the Moree Plains Shire thrive.
Is this the first time you have stood for Council?
Yes. In the last local government election, I was asked by members of the community to run as a candidate. In May, 2021, I underwent surgery and was diagnosed with endometriosis. When the local government elections were held in 2021, I was still getting my head around managing endometriosis while running a business and handling everyday life. As such, the timing wasn’t right to stand as a candidate.
I was contacted again leading up to this year’s local government election and asked to run as a candidate. This time I knew the time was right to stand and hopefully be given the opportunity to give back to the community that has been so good to me.
Are you standing alone or with a running mate(s)?
I am running independently as I believe that being a councillor is not about aligning yourself with particular candidates, but being able to work with all councillors elected to ensure positive outcomes for the community that we serve.
What do you love most about Moree Plains Shire?
The people. I often say if had I opened Property Excellence anywhere else it would not have succeeded the way it has in the Moree Plains Shire. The people in this community are remarkable. They get behind you, support you and cheer you on. Sharing my endometriosis journey has highlighted another way in which this community is so remarkable. I have tenants that suffer the same medical condition who confide in me when they are struggling. I have landlords that phone or message just to ask how I am. Community members that aren’t associated with my business have been so supportive and make the effort to ask me questions as to gain a better understanding of the condition and how it’s managed. This community is full of amazing people.
What do you think the main issues are in Moree that need addressing. Crime is a major concern. What are your views on this?
Feedback and input I’ve received from the community has highlighted varying concerns, suggestions and ways in which the community feels the Moree Plains Shire can be better promoted. Crime was expressed to me as a serious concern, but not just the crime itself, but that Moree is so much more than the crime – that there are so many positive aspects to Moree which need to be promoted to shift the focus from being solely about the crime.
Concerns have been expressed to me about roads, healthcare, lack of housing to meet demand, frustrations with the development application process, cost of rates and water usage combined with the lengthy periods of time between the issuing of water usage invoices.
I’ve received some wonderful suggestions, including providing support to people moving to Moree, improving areas of Moree such as Mary Brand Park and promoting the positive aspects of our Shire. Of course, the viability of all suggestions received would have to be assessed, as well as what funding would be needed and successfully obtained where necessary, but I personally and professionally think it’s wonderful that the community has positive suggestions to help the Moree Plains Shire thrive.
Do you think the current council is aiming in the right direction on various projects and/or issues?
I have not sat around the Council table with the current Councillors, and I understand that much of what happens behind closed doors is confidential. As such, I feel it would be inappropriate of me to comment on the direction the current council is taking without having all the facts.
How can the current council improve on what it is doing at the moment? Is money being spent on the right projects?
I understand that much of the projects carried out within the Moree Plains Shire are from monies gained from grants and funding. As I have not sat around the Council table with the current Councillors nor been privy to confidential information, I feel it would be inappropriate of me to comment on whether the monies have been spent on the right projects, as it is dependent on what projects were awarded funding.
Has the current council disappointed the people of Moree? If so, how?
I have received varying feedback from members of the community as well as those that invest in the community, some positive and some negative. I personally think, as with anything, improvements can certainly be made.
What local organisations are you involved with at the moment?
Through my business I professionally deal with many service providers including but not limited to Byamee, Moree Family Support, Homes North Community Housing and Flourish to assist to house those at-risk of homelessness, those leaving abusive relationships and those under the age of 18 that can no longer live at home. I also assist tenants that rent through Property Excellence if they find they have fallen on hard times and require assistance whether it be with rent, food vouchers or mental health support.
What are you pastimes, hobbies or passions?
I enjoy cooking, relaxing at home with my partner and our fur babies, travelling and continually learning. I believe you should never stop learning, never shut out the possibility of learning from others, who have so much they can teach us.
Footnote: Questions to candidates differ slightly, given the mix is made up of current councillors seeking re-election, past councillors seeking re-election and first-timers seeking election.
More on this candidate here: https://moreeonlinenews.com.au/2024/08/23/dominique-hodgkinson-mpsc-candidate/?swcfpc=1
