On 30th September 2026, Business Northwest hosted the Burnie Election Candidate Forum.
It was a great evening and an opportunity for all candidates to present themselves to a public audience. Below is my full speech from the night.
Introduction:
Good evening, my name is Alex Day and I’m running for Deputy Mayor and Councillor.
This is my first time running and it’s understandable that you know nothing about me. so…
Who am I?
I’m 38, born in Launceston, and in 2016 I moved to Rosebery to work in the mine, bought a block of land in Burnie and built a house.
While living in Burnie, I met a lovely lady who is now my wife, and we had our first child.
We now call Burnie home with we have no plans to leave.
Why am I running for Deputy Mayor and Councillor?
A few years ago our rates jumped something like 20%. Before that I saw rates and Council as ‘part of owning a home’. Afterwards, I started noticing little things:
The potholes got bigger, and stayed longer.
Grass on the side of the road got too long and too dry before it was mowed.
Suburbs got 3 bins, and rural areas got nothing.
We got the French fries from a mainland artist.
When I had my son, I started seeing other things, like parent rooms with broken change tables, and unshaded play spaces in the middle of summer.
Individually I wouldn’t have noticed. Combined, I got the feeling I wasn’t getting my money’s worth. Disheartened, I Google’d the next election was and put a reminder in my phone for a month prior (which, as I’m learning, was after everyone else started… I’ll remember that for 2030).
What I hope to achieve:
With 20 years in technology and cyber I have learnt how important it is to focus on The Basics. They’re not pretty or cool, but it’s these I want to focus on. For example:
Local First: Burnie Council should be using Burnie businesses first and foremost, for everything. If something can’t be done locally, then keep it Tasmanian. When the State projects roll in, Burnie Council should be vocal about using local businesses, to build local skills, so locals can bid on the next project.
Professional Councillors: making the papers should be celebrated, except for when it’s about disagreements costing $62,000….. Councillors should have different opinions, views, and expertise. Most of all, they should have respect. It’s this professionalism and maturity I want to bring to Council.
Digital Governance and Expertise: Burnie Council is part way through its Digital Transformation Strategy. I want to bring my skills and experience to help Burnie Council find solutions that suit our needs. Make sure they fit with Council and State policies. And help secure them to keep our private information private.
In Summary, we are one council and one community. I want to get the basic right so we can grow confidently together.
In Closing:
In closing, why should you vote for me?
Because I believe Council needs to be fair and reasonable, with common sense.
It is not reasonable that families in Highclere have to haul their rubbish to the tip when they go to get groceries.
It is not fair that we get abatement notices, while the grass near our roads is waist-high.
And it makes no sense that we chose the French Fries from the mainland. Afterall, we have a Burnie Art Gallery, with Tasmanian displays. Surely we could have called one of the local art groups.
You should vote for me because I’m invested. I’m 38. I have a young family. And I have no plans to leave. Every decision we make as Councillors is a decision my wife and son will have to live with.
My name is Alex Day. Vote 1 fir Deputy Mayor and Councillor. Thank you.