The Mercury has asked the lead candidate of each group to tell us why they’ve decided to run for election, and outline two core issues for their group.
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Their answers are below, listed in the order on the ballot.
Shellharbour
GROUP A – Independent
- Tony Pratt, Warilla, 61
- Steven Krinks, Lake Illawarra, 32
- Caitlin Emmerich, Albion Park, age not provided
- Rob Crilly, Mount Warrigal, 46
Why is your group standing for election?
One of the challenges for local government is how to ensure that different, and often competing, interests are recognised, addressed and responded to. This is particularly relevant for a council which regards itself as being close to ‘the community’.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
Flood Studies: The Tony Pratt Group will endeavour to have all outstanding flood studies finalised. Implement all management plans and recommendations, along with sourcing funding required for flood mitigation works.
Sustainable development: The vision of the Tony Pratt group is to ensure there is balance, between sustainable development that enhances an area whilst keeping it's atmosphere, but still ensuring there is growth and job opportunities for the people of Shellharbour.
GROUP B – LIBERAL
- Nathan Cattell, Shell Cove, birth date incorrect
- Zachary Fitzpatrick, Albion Park Rail, 27
- Janelle Trigg, Shell Cove, age not provided
- Patrick Bennett, Shell Cove, age not provided
- Deborah Bruce, Barrack Heights, 34
- Michaela Wyett, Shell Cove, age not provided
- John Kelleher, Dunmore, 72
Why is your group standing for election?
We are standing for the community. The Heart (Not the Hub) (The People) of the community has been forgotten whilst Rates have risen 43%, Roads are not maintained to the expetation of community, Rubbish (Services have decreased), Recreational facilities are not maintained. Why wouldnt we stand. We want to make a difference.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
If elected, we will
Deliver our Jobs Action Plan which commits to generating 10,000 jobs across our region;
Move to freeze rates and vote against any further Labor/Green rate increases;
Implement a major roll out of CCTV to keep our community safe; and
Fight to reintroduce a weekly waste bin service.
GROUP C – Independent/ALP members “Our Community Matters”
- Barry Bird, Barrack Heights, 62
- Jade Jolliffe, Mount Warrigal, age not provided
- Danna Nelse, Barrack Heights, 58
- Ros Phelps, Lake Illawarra, 54
Why is your group standing for election?
Having already served nine years on Council before, (and the first Aboriginal elected to Council), many of my old constituents approached me to run as I am passionate about Shellharbour, its community, its natural and cultural heritage and the lifestyle. This led to the formation of a group which we call 'Our Community Matters' with similar ideals and whose individuals want to represent our community in determining the future direction of our city.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
Our two core election issues revolve around the rapid growth of Shellharbour and the need to maintain our sense of community.
We want to ensure that the older more established areas of Shellharbour (Barrack Heights, Albion Park Rail, Dunmore, Warilla, Mt Warrigal, Lake Illawarra, Albion Park, Oak Flats, etc) don't miss out when it comes to repairs and maintenance of roads, parks and gardens, footpaths/cycleways, playgrounds and other community facilities or indeed the provision of new facilities. We would also be aiming to keep infrastructure abreast of development. Our roads, parks and community facilities need to be able to cope with the growth that is occurring.
GROUP D – Independent/ALP members: Community First for Shellharbour City
- John Murray, Shell Cove, 63
- David Boyle, Lake Illawarra, 58
- Narelle Clay, Barrack Heights, 61
- Cliff Sears, Shellharbour, 57
Why is your group standing?
We want Shellharbour to remain a sustainable, independent City. We want to see the Shell Cove Project completed, the Shellharbour Hospital to remain Public. We want the Albion Park Bypass to be built, while we improve access through Albion Park with the Tripoli Way bypass.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
To ensure the successful completion of the Shell Cove Project and gain all the economic, employment and tourism opportunities that it will generate. To ensure the profits are professionally managed to safeguard our infrastructure and provide benefits to all areas of the city.
To work to the ongoing sustainability of the Council, by developing multiple income streams that reduce pressure on ratepayers provide Council services. To assist our business community to develop and provide more employment opportunities within Shellharbour. To work with residents to make sure any new assets created, meet the needs of the community.
GROUP E – Independent
- Diane Quinlin, Warilla, age not provided
- Max Clay, Shellharbour, age not provided
- Ken Stratton, address not provided
- Robin Harwood, Blackbutt, age not provided
Why is your group standing for election?
Construction of “City Hub” indicates how far out of touch Councillors Saliba, Murray, Boyle are on the needs of the Shellharbour Community. Building a $60 million unnecessary facility when at the same time rates increased 42%. There is urgent need to mitigate flooding, spend capital on poorly maintained roads, community facilities.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
1)Action reports buried so as not to affect the “Hub” finances. E.g. Lake Elliot, Tongara and Benson Creek Flood Plain Report: yearly damage to residences and businesses costing $1.7million. Area needs $12-$26 million to mitigate flooding. Council spent $43K on flooding signs. Action this and include in the Short and Long Term Strategic Plan. Warilla Beach seawall-2010 report “ as a matter of priority” the construction of a properly engineered seawall. No action, collapsed wall July 2016, another temporary repair. Fix now.
2)Stop Warilla Library being built on a swamp surrounded by bollards to prevent cars floating out when it floods.
GROUP F – Independent
- Helen Stewart, Oak Flats, 66
- Craig Ridding, Oak Flats, 42
- Anthony Cunningham, Albion Park, age not provided
- Anne McNaughton, Albion Park Rail, age not provided
Why are we standing for election?
To ensure the community have access to information also an open line of communication with council.
Engage freely with the community via public forums, pop up kiosks and public meetings.
Encourage residents to be actively involved in the decision making process.
To listen and hear community concerns.
The two core issues.
Waste services are a huge issue within Shellharbour City. Many resident have expressed their desire to have access to a free kerbside pick or a free tip entry.
Our team is mindful nothing is free, however we understand residents concerns regarding tip entry feee.
Our team will work with staff to help identify additional methods such as reduced tip fees or the possibility of free tip entry where practical.
Parks Gardens and Recreation areas are also high on the communities agenda.
Our team will investigate how we can increase the budget to assist to better maintain community property.
GROUP G – Independent/Shellharbour City Community Team
- Steve Doyle, Flinders, 73
- Jason Smith, Albion Park, birth date incorrect
- Jeremy Hood, Shell Cove, birth date incorrect
- Hetty Allen, Barrack Heights, 71
Why is your group standing for election?
We are standing because it is time for a change! We need a community based council and not a politically controlled council. We want to see community services with community consultation. We aim to include sport & recreation, music, art, theatre & cultural activities...the aim of which to bring a smile & happiness to Shellharbour City.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
Our main objective is to facilitate a Leisure/Swim Centre in Shellharbour Municipality, possibly Shellcove, where the profit made in this area could be returned. A possible kerbside rubbish pick up, twice annually, or at least 2/3 free visits to the local dump.
Suitable accommodation for the lifesavers at Shellharbour South Beach, a shared pathway from Shellharbour Beach to the Harbour & a modern playground for Albion Park are also on the agenda.
GROUP H – Independent
- Peter Moran, Oak Flats, age not provided
- Bronwyn Fackender, Albion Park, age not provided
- Rob Truskett, Warilla, 54
- Brian Pember, Lake Illawarra, birth date incorrect
- Marni Casey, Oak Flats, age not provided
Why is your group standing for election?
I believe I have done good work on this council, standing up for residents and keeping an eye on what is proposed for our area. Although I have brought forward more recommendations than any other councillor there are many more things I would like to do.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area?
Flooding: Council has recently updated flood information throughout the city but has allocated almost nothing to the new works required to minimise flooding. This issue impacts on the safety of our residents and their homes, as well as the economy of the city. New drainage works should be a priority.
Planning: Local communities are being changed by non-compliant developments springing up in our streets. Council should enforce our rules and stand up for residents. Developments that comply with the rules can enhance our communities. Non-compliant developments can change the nature and character of our towns and should be resisted.
GROUP I – Kellie Marsh Independents Team
- Kellie Marsh, Blackbutt, 46
- Frank Testa, Shell Cove, 47
- Brian Walker, Shell Cove, 78
- Philip May, Mount Warrigal, 49
Why is your group standing for election?
The Kellie Marsh Independents Team are passionate about accountable leadership and strong representation for community, local business and residents. We will strive to deliver balanced growth that improves the quality of life for the entire Shellharbour community. We can achieve this by pursuing efficiency and returning the gains to improved community services.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
The Kellie Marsh Independent Team will improve service delivery for locals. We will address the shortfall in councils Parks, Gardens & Sporting field service delivery. This can be achieved without cutting services and without applying unnecessary rate increases. It can be achieved through lean and efficient operation and management. By insuring all dividends from council investments are reinvested back across the entire community. Profits from the Shell cove Marina will be equally spent across every town and village in the Shellharbour Local Government Area.
GROUP J – LABOR
- Marianne Saliba, Warilla, 57
- Robert Petreski, Shell Cove, 44
- Moira Hamilton, Oak Flats, 67
- Alex MacLeod, Flinders, 68
Why is your group standing for election?
The Labor Team will serve the best interests of Shellharbour Residents by working to ensure that:
The best outcome for the community is achieved in regards to Albion Park and Croome Road Sporting Complex, with on/off ramps constructed at Tripoli Way as part of the Albion Park Rail Bypass to alleviate traffic congestion on Tongarra Road Albion Park.
Shellharbour Hospital remains in public hands.
The City's identity and assets are protected from any future forced merger proposals.
Shellharbour City is the preferred tourism destination via the Albion Park Regional Airport, Shell Cove Marina and our beautiful lake and surrounds.
Profits from the Shell Cove Marina Project are invested and managed wisely to provide an ongoing annual income for equitable distribution across all suburbs of Shellharbour City to fund new projects, asset renewal and maintenance and to take the press off rates.
UNGROUPED
Rodna Kencevski, Albion Park, 50