The Mercury contacted all candidates and asked for responses to four questions that were published online the week ending 30 August. For those who may have missed it – you can read my response below.
- Why is your group running for council and What are some of your group’s goals if elected?
In June 2023 I returned to Council after the resignation of former Councillor Deanna Goodsell.
I believe that I have made my presence felt in the chamber where I am content to play devil’s advocate and question everything that is tabled. It is the role of an elected Councillor to hold the Administration and when needed other Councillors to account.
I vote according to my conscience, research and what I believe to be in the best interest of our community.
I have selected a team that I believe is a good cross section of our community and we are committed to holding both Councillors and the Administration to account. It’s our money, our community and you vote for the councillors not the Administration.
“Gowing our community” is not a throwaway line but a firm commitment to get back to basics – roads, water, sewerage and waste. These are the building blocks of our community and once dealt with we can build a new future for our children and grandchildren.
You can find out more about Team Ring at independentlithgow.org
- How would your group improve Lithgow’s economic future?
Between February 2022 and February 2024, I was the volunteer Project Director for the Bushfire Local Economic Relief Fund for the Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce. During this period, I oversaw the delivery of a procurement forum for local businesses; Reintroduction of local Business Awards; A Business and Lifestyle Expo that attracted over 3,00 visitor and a targeted Investor Forum which attracted participants form the US, Finland, Denmark and form around Australia.
Team Ring is committed to diversifying our economy, attracting new residents, and ensuring that no one is left behind. If elected, we will:
Ensure that there is greater transparency and communication with the community and key stakeholders in growing our economy
Prioritise the development of Greenspots Industrial Park and associated housing estate.
Ensure The Foundations are supported in the development of the former cement works.
Seek to commit Council resources to attracting industry to invest in Lithgow – following on from the Lithgow Investor Forum. Targeting new technologies such as green hydrogen production, commercial glass houses (vegetable and flowers), recycling and manufacturing,
Explore opportunities to develop intensive agriculture within the Greater Lithgow Region.
Seek to undertake a review of tourism within the Lithgow LGA and determine what actions are required to grow commercial tourism over the next 10 years.
- Does your group have a plan to address the region’s housing needs? If so, what is the plan?
In the last 12 months across Australia 2,400 construction firms have failed due to the current economy. Add to this the rising cost and shortage of building materials will impact on local construction.
Council needs to process DAs for houses in a timely fashion, but we also need to have a bigger discussion about tiny homes and relocatable homes. There are many large blocks in Lithgow and the other villages where the buildings could be placed (like a granny flat) allowing residents to generate some revenue while increasing housing stock.
My team will seek to have this discussion within the context of developing a flexible housing strategy is developed that can meet not only projected growth but also unexpected demand via new industries
In that discussion will be the need for adequate social and affordable housing options for our community.
Council is already looking at how it can increase social housing through entering partnerships or direct sales to not for profit housing organisations. This is currently occurring at the Three Tree Hill subdivision (Council owned) where an EOI has been forwarded to numerous companies and the next Council will make decisions going forward.
Council has capacity to sell some of these blocks directly to locals via a lottery system like that used by Bathurst Council.
Council can also negotiate with developers for the inclusion of social housing through the DA process.
- How do your group intend to address local infrastructure issues such as roads, sewerage and water?
The reality is that there is no quick fix to our local infrastructure. Council manages a large number of assets including 1,110 kilometres of roads. Council has still not fully implemented or completed its asset maintenance system This system is critical for our community to understand the current condition of our assets and how much money is required to maintain them and replace them in the future. Without this information financial planning is not accurate and this is reflected in the recent rate rise.
Calculated into the rate rise was a need for an additional $500,000 for roads but not based on an understanding of the real needs. How did they come to this figure? Simply there were two years where road budgets were overexpanded by $500,00 therefore moving forward, we need that amount of money. This was not the right approach.
We will address the question of infrastructure by:
A firm commitment from the Administration to complete all asset management plans for roads within 12 months.
The development of a 10-year replacement schedule for roads based on priority.
Seek to have a four-year maintenance plan for dirt roads in the LGA inclusive of cleaning drains
The adoption of a new policy for the management of back flow in the most affected residences.
Seek a cost impact assessment of providing limited bulky waste collection in areas that are not service by kerbside collection.
Seek to ensure regular testing of water at selected residential and commercial premises with the results made publicly available. With the result to be continuous improvement of the service.