In the next three years, Wollongong residents can expect no extra rate rises, less red tape for developers and a big boost to spending on footpaths and cycleways.
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Also among the key promises made in the lead up to the election was a crack down on illegal dumping, a boost to the number of CCTV cameras and the employment of a “night mayor” to make the city more lively after dark.
With the pending election of six Labor councillors, that party’s promises are the most likely to be supported by a majority.
They included a promise not to raise household rates above the government-regulated yearly rise, and a six-page policy on boosting the city’s economy.
This included a “Red Tape Eradication Taskforce which would be made up of councillors, residents and businesses, and a procurement strategy that would favour local suppliers and tenderers on council projects.
Lead candidate David Brown also committed to doubling the council’s annual spend on footpaths, a $3.8 million commitment.
Pathways were also a high priority for the Greens, and re-elected Liberal councillor Leigh Colacino.
Other Liberal plans included a bigger budget for CCTV cameras in town centres throughout the LGA, and pledge to create 10,000 jobs across the region.
With a likely three seats on council, the Liberal Party councillors will have to work at gaining supports from Labor, the Green and independents.
Re-elected Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery was cannily quiet during the election campaign, relying on his strong existing public profile and not new public promises to boost votes.
However, when asked by the Mercury to highlight his priorities, he said he hoped to expedite the establishment of a new authority to manage Lake Illawarra, which has been in operational limbo since the Lake Illawarra Authority was abolished in 2014.
Cr Bradbery, who will be joined on council by his running mate Dom Figliomeni, also said he would crack-down on illegal dumping, and request a review into the on-call household waste pick up service.
The Greens, who have retained two seats on the council, will have to convince at least five other councillors to vote for their initiatives.
The first meeting of the new council will likely be on September 25, when councillors will vote for a deputy lord mayor.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
