I am keen to be the next Mayor of Lismore. With 20 years of experience as a City Councillor, I have demonstrated responsible and community focussed commitment to this place we love.
You will find me most weekends on the riverbanks of Lismore planting trees and pulling out weeds with Landcare. As a science teacher I share my enthusiasm for knowledge with students at Casino, Kadina, Richmond River and Lismore high schools. Our Deaf community inspired me to complete a Diploma of Auslan at Lismore Tafe. I am thankful for the full and connected lifestyle Lismore provides.
My achievements as former Mayor include bringing a conflicted Council into harmony, ensuring a surplus budget with no rate rise, adopting an affordable housing strategy that is being implemented today and initiating the hand back of sacred sites to the Widjabul Wiabal people.
Our community has faced unprecedented challenges with floods, landslides, fires and yet we have an opportunity to thrive. Under my leadership, Council will be responsive to community needs and ensure services are affordable. For example, core functions such as waste must be managed efficiently by our own people, not handed over to big out of town companies. Local businesses need as much access to Council’s $200 million budget as possible, this is how we invest in the local economy.
Practical actions and community-focused leadership will make a difference. My commitment to you is that I will do the work, show up and focus on what you say is important. Let’s revive Lismore.
What are the THREE most critical issues Lismore is facing this term, and how will you help solve them?
The first critical issue for Lismore folk is the cost of living. My rates notice has doubled in the 30 years I have been paying rates to Council. Even though our rates contribute $30 million to Council’s budget, the cost to provide core services such as water supply, sewerage, roads, sports fields, libraries and waste management is $200million each year. The unpopular decision to privatise our waste collection services stripped income from local businesses and now we pay more. I will prioritise making Council services efficient and affordable and ensure Council Jobs by Council Workers.
The second critical issue is affordable housing for our key workers and our flood affected families. Relocating our rainforest timber homes from the floodplain makes sense and Council has planned for flood free land for 4000 house lots. Because most of our households consist of only one or two people, I am keen to see medium density units built between Lismore and Ballina. This is a major investment opportunity and will provide affordable key worker housing for the whole region.
The third critical issue is flood preparedness. We were once the most flood ready city in Australia but we became complacent when the levy was built. With scientists and engineers telling us rain events are getting bigger, we need to have evacuation plans in place for the CBD and the homes likely to get wet in a major flood. I will continue to lobby the Reconstruction Authority to expand the buyback, relocate vulnerable people out of the floodplain and raise flood liable houses. I also think the CBD has an important future as an economic hub and social gathering space and I will continue to support CBD businesses.
What difference would you make as the Mayor of Lismore?
As Mayor of Lismore I will change the culture of Council and lead a positive and respectful chamber where Councillors and staff work together on outcomes for our community. I have 20 years of experience with Council processes, I know the Council staff and understand Lismore City issues. I love this place and have hope for the future. I will do the work, show up and listen to what you say is important. Together we can revive Lismore.
Where do you want Lismore to be in four year’s time?
In four years, I expect Lismore to have affordable medium density key worker housing built and accommodating our reconstruction workers and service workers for Lismore businesses and also businesses in Ballina and Byron Bay. Our historical rainforest timber homes relocated to flood free land in Goonellabah.
Our roads and sewer infrastructure rebuilt and our CBD thriving. Our villages with adequate services and community facilities. Thousands of trees planted in the upper catchment to make our rivers healthy again. Exciting and safe spaces for our growing number of young families, the Olympic standard skate park and a youth hub in Goonellabah. I have so much hope in my heart for this place.
