Candidate puts seniors first

Mayoral candidate Chris Couper.

Valerie Horton

MAYORAL candidate Chris Couper has committed to strive for a rates reduction for seniors if elected to the Fraser Coast Regional Council's top job.

Mr Couper said yesterday that anybody over 60 years of age would be eligible for a rebate under his Seniors First policy.

Pet owners who were also pensioners could expect to have their registration fees slashed as well.

The sweeping promises came without costings, but Mr Couper insisted there was enough waste in the council budget to fund the initiatives for senior citizens.

"Seniors First will look to increase the rebate to pensioners on rates, reduce red tape and cut costs associated with animal registration, applications to council for garden sheds and so many other issues that affect our senior community," he said.

"If elected as mayor, I will be seeking to appoint a councillor to head up my Seniors First program and continually roll out new initiatives for the members of our community who have done all the hard work in their lives to deliver us the living standards we sometimes take for granted."

Mr Couper described his first policy as having a "touch of Robin Hood" about it, but pledged to cost it and publicise the impact of his proposal on council finances before the poll.

The Fraser Coast has on average one of the oldest populations in Australia.