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.
Wollongong Ward 3
GROUP A – LABOR
- Vicky King, Berkeley, 64
- Chris Connor, Dapto, 62
- Ann Martin, Port Kembla 57
- Julian Miller, Windang, age not provided
Why is your group standing for election?
We are committed to getting a better deal from council for the southern suburbs so that we aren’t forgotten any longer. There are a number of important regional centres growing in the southern suburbs and we want to be part of a team that ensures our city continues to prosper.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
We are dedicated to ensuring major new community facilities are delivered in our suburbs including the Warrawong Community Centre and Library and a new regional aquatic, fitness and health centre for the southern suburbs. We will also ensure better maintenance of our parks and footpaths. Delivery of the critical infrastructure and orderly development of West Dapto is a key issue for our area. We will complete the Fowler’s Road Bridge for flood free access to this growing area. Council assets in and around Lake Illawarra must be improved to cater for the growing population in West Dapto.
GROUP B – GREENS
- Jamie Dixon, Koonawarra, 44
- Anne Marett, Corrimal, 70
- Josh Bell, Marshall Mount, 20
- Julie Marlow, Berkeley, 67
Why is your group standing for election?
The Greens want to make sure that our beautiful city is a place where everyone feels welcome, whose people are recognised as global leaders in sustainability, and whose lifestyle is the envy of the world. Greens take no money from business – we will act in the public interest.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
In Ward 3 the Greens will promote sustainability, and quality of life. Sustainability involves many areas, including the Urban Greening plan, and the expansion of solar energy in Council buildings. A major issue in Ward 3 is the management of Lake Illawarra and the expansion in West Dapto. The quality of life in Wollongong would improve if the effectiveness of public transport could be increased, and if there were better safe paths for pedestrians and cyclists. We need to make sure that the revitalisation of Port Kembla is a community focused project, which will respect heritage, improve employment, and promote tourism opportunities.
GROUP C – Independent
- Gordon Bradbery, Berkeley, 66
- Dom Figliomeni , Port Kembla, age not provided
- Terry Gallagher, Primbee, 68
- Donna Waters, Port Kembla, 47
Why is your group standing for election?
I am standing again as Lord Mayor to continue to promote the interests of the City as I have done for the past six years.
Wollongong has been the focus of considerable investment and our unemployment rate is coming down and more needs to be done. As a lifestyle city Wollongong is now the envy of many. Let's make it even greater!
GROUP D – LIBERAL
- Cameron Walters, Mount Kembla, 25
- Elisha Aitken, Mount Keira, age not provided
- Karen Darcy, Port Kembla, age not provided
- Stewart Payne, Haywards Bay, 61
Why is your group standing for election?
The Ward 3 Liberal Party ticket is standing to promote our region, cuts waste and mismanagement and gets our Council focused on delivering quality services that our community expects. Our team understands the importance of more local jobs which is why we have announced our commitment to create 10,000 jobs across Wollongong and Shellharbour.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
Generating 10,000 local jobs through our Jobs Action Plan - to help ease youth unemployment
Keeping the community safe by committing to a major roll-out and upgrade of CCTV cameras
Ungrouped
John Mullan, Mangerton, age not provided
Why is your group standing for election?
I am independent, Wollongong is my home. It has afforded my family a facility to life that larger cities cannot whilst retaining the conviviality of a country town. That is worth preserving! I want to end PARTY POLITICS in our local council. PARTY executives have undue influence over Council. They put PARTY first and COMMUNITY second. That is wrong! Councillors are advocates, they should tirelessly represent their constituents across the tiers of government, Local, State and Federal.
What are the two core issues your group would like to address within your local area if elected?
I think well designed and engineered road access to West Dapto that bypasses the traffic delays at the Bong Bong Road level crossing and that provides adequate flood mitigation is a number one priority. It was promised in the 70s and we are still waiting.
Port Kembla deserves Council’s attention as it has suffered for years in the shadow of heavy industry. Perhaps the superannuation funds that own the 99 year lease at Port Kembla and Bluescope and others who have vested interests in that historic and beautiful suburb will dip into their considerable pockets and contribute equally with the ratepayers to the civic works that are long since overdue.
It is beyond a joke that the State government cannot find enough carriages for those brave people who make the pilgrimage to and from work in Sydney every day.