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Get to know David Martin, Ipswich’s newest councillor
David Martin supports the Manly Sea Eagles – we won’t hold that against him – and his music of choice includes The Beatles, Nirvana and Robbie Williams. Get to know Ipswich’s newest councillor before he is officially sworn in tomorrow.
Tell us a bit about yourself for those who don’t know you.
I am an Ipswich born and bred local. I was raised in Eastern Heights by Geoff and Inez Martin, along with my brother Jonathan and sister Sarah. Dad worked in the railways before being a self-employed carpenter and mum worked as a rates clerk here at Ipswich City Council. I went to primary school at Silkstone and high school at Ipswich Grammar.
After school I started a carpentry apprenticeship, which was cut short due to breaking my back in a car accident and led me to teachers’ college. My first gig teaching was a three-year stint in Emerald and apart from that I have lived in Ipswich for the rest of my life. I came back from Emerald in 1989 and then worked as a youth worker with the youth service for three years.
I taught at Boonah for a long time and finally ended up at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre teaching construction. This was a great job and I loved trying to empower young people to make better choices. I also liked the concept that what they made went back to the community.
I have had involvement with community organisations for most of my life and I am currently the chair of Ipswich Community Youth Service, being on the board for more than 15 years. I have also been a member of the Ipswich Regional Advocacy Service board for more than 20 years.
I ref touch football a couple of nights a week and try to help out at schoolies. My wife Jacqui and I were married seven years ago and between us we have five children. We attend church at Catalyst in Brassall and are area coordinators for Operation Christmas Child and also work with Red Frogs.
What was it like being front and centre in your first election campaign?
It is a bit daunting to see your mug on posters around town and in papers and social media, especially when I have a better face for radio. I have never been one to sell myself and I found it somewhat daunting to introduce myself and let people know about me. Meeting so many people while out doorknocking was the highlight of the campaign. I feel privileged to be able to represent the people of Division 7 and I do not want to let them down. It was a humbling experience to see so many people support me and vote me into office and I know I have an obligation to represent them.
What have you been up to since polling day?
I have hit the ground running, meeting with a lot of council folk and taking calls from the public with regards to divisional issues. I have had discussions regarding some things I want to see happen. I am trying to learn processes and practice and what a councillor can and can’t do. I am presently looking into the traffic lights at Grange Road and Robertson Road. I have been to six council committee meetings, a development industry breakfast, a charity dinner and have met a few local business owners.
What do residents want to see from council as an organisation?
The community is genuinely hurting by the past events, media scrutiny and action taken by the CCC. We as a community want to see a transparent council and have our faith restored in council and good governance. I certainly want to do all I can to see that happen.
What’s the most significant issue facing Division 7?
Division 7 covers a spectrum of issues. We have new housing in Raceview with good facilities and infrastructure through to the oldest areas of housing in Ipswich with kerbing and channelling issues and no footpaths. There is no single issue for Division 7. My priorities are to advocate for traffic lights at the Grange Road and Robertson Road intersection, footpaths in Cambridge Street and parts of Woodend, widening Brisbane Road at West Ipswich to accommodate the new businesses, trying to encourage business at the top end of town, and of course the development of the CBD. Talking to local residents and living in the area has given me a good understanding of these issues.
As a councillor what do you see as your role in the community?
I see my role in the community as being a voice to council for local concerns as well as a conduit to bring people into contact with community groups to enhance and restore a sense of civic pride in our great city.
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Mentions: Brisbane Road · Cambridge Street · Grange Road · Robertson Road · Ipswich · Eastern Heights · Silkstone · Brassall · Raceview · Woodend · West Ipswich
Source: Ipswich First (Ipswich City Council) — CC BY 4.0.