Local Government election round-up

Candidates for the local government elections on September 13 have nominated and each week we will publish profiles of those standing in TWT territory.

RYDE

Keeping an eye on the finances

Clr Michael Butterworth prides himself on keeping an eye on Ryde City Council’s financial position.

And he hopes to keep doing this if re-elected to West Ward for a second straight term.

Holding a Bachelor of Economics and with 18 years experience in the finance and IT sector, Clr Butterworth was this year instrumental in the creation of council’s Finance and Audit Committee.

The Labor councillor described this newly formed committee as “urgently needed”, and something that should have been implemented long ago.

“There needs to be an urgent review of Council’s investment strategy.

“It’s the public’s money and we need to be very, very careful,” he said.

Clr Butterworth believes that by “asking the right questions”, it is possible to keep rates low, whilst still improving the City.

He cites the example of Council’s more fuel-efficient fleet, which has not only saved ratepayer’s money, but is also helping the environment.

A staunch opponent to parking meters in Macquarie Park’s business precinct, Clr Butterworth says he will continue the fight to have these removed.

He was also the only councillor to vote against the Macquarie Park Plan??, and the increase in floor space ratio, which will further increase traffic stress in the area.

For the past four years, Clr Butterworth has worked as an electorate officer for Special Minister of State Senator John Faulkner.

Aims to keep it truly local

Mark Lee is running for Ryde City Council in an attempt to ensure local government remains truly local.

The two-time candidate is leading the charge for West Ward, as part of Ryde Mayor Ivan Petch’s Ryde Community Vision group. He says he is “a total supporter of shopping and living in the City of Ryde”, and would do everything in his power to make sure this is the case.

As a media officer for Balmain Dockers, Mr Lee is passionate about providing consistent and improved sporting fields and facilities across all areas of Ryde.

He’s also keen for Council to adopt a vision that will head them in the right direction for the next 25 years of progress.

Despite acting as campaign manager for Ryde’s Liberal candidate at the most recent State government election, Mr Lee says there is no place for political parties at a local government level.

“Local government should be free of politics. Unfortunately that is not the status,” he said.

“A group of independents such as Ryde Community Vision is one positive way of keeping them accountable.”

One such area he hopes to “take on” is the development process, which he claims is driven “by Frank Sartor (Minister for Planning)”.

Rating his chances as “one in six” in West Ward, Mr Lee believes he has what it takes to represent the people.

“I am an easy-going person who will listen to both sides of the argument to produce the most positive outcome for the community,” he said.

Mr Lee has lived in Denistone for the past 20 years.

He is married to wife Margaret and is the father of teenaged sons Morgan, Mitchell and Marshall.

She’s ready for another term

Labor Clr Gabrielle O’Donnell believes she has what it takes to serve a fourth straight term on Ryde City Council.

A former deputy mayor, East Ward’s Clr O’Donnell says she’s still got a great deal of energy for the cause.

“I think I offer a nice balance of experience and passion for the job,” she said.

With good faith that Council’s finances are stable, Clr O’Donnell would like the focus to shift to community services.

“We will work hard to deliver a strong and productive Council with community services at its core,” she said of her team of candidates.

“We need to look at the improvement of our parks, the cleaning up of our streams, and more footpaths.”

She’s also concerned with upgrading our shopping centres to ensure that local residents don’t have to hop in their cars and travel out of the area. Water conservation is also a high priority for the 61-year-old.

“I’d also like to look towards the big picture items. I can’t see why we can’t do this.”

While Clr O’Donnell believes Council has taken a turn for the better in the past couple of terms, she does have concerns about its future make-up.

“The worrying thing is that it looks like there will be less women on the next council. That’s going to be one of the biggest shames.

“I’d like to see a mix of councillors. We need a mix to be representative of the whole of Ryde,” she said.

Clr O’Donnell leads a team which she describes as “energetic, positive and objective”.

Second on the ticket is technical documentation specialist Brad Powe, followed by medical receptionist Gaye Carson and network administrator Keir Vaughan-Taylor.

Hoping for a poll shake-up

West Ryde’s Bill Pickering says if elected to Ryde City Council’s Central Ward, he won’t shy away from taking up the fight against NSW Minister for Planning Frank Sartor.

Having stood on Mayor Clr Ivan Petch’s team at the last local government election, Mr Pickering has this time been endorsed as a Liberal candidate.

He says the “Labor party is on the nose”, with Mr Sartor “systematically destroying local council and community input into development decisions”.

He’s hoping for a real shake-up of the Council at the polls next month.

“Several councillors are doing nothing to oppose inappropriate development. They’re simply towing the party’s line.”

A public opponent to the major overhaul of Putney’s Royal Rehabilitation Centre, Mr Pickering said he was not opposed to development, just the way in which it was coming about.

“Local people should have the right to have a say in development projects in their local area, and it is elected councillors who are better placed to understand local concerns.”

Having lived in the area for eight years, Mr Pickering says he’ll be working hard to preserve the area’s community atmosphere.

As director of his own public relations and marketing firm, he believes he can also play a role in lifting the Council’s image and inspiring public support for its causes.

Mr Pickering has had prior experience in government, acting as the army’s media advisor to a past junior minister for defence. He also handled the organisation’s media surrounding the 1996 Blackhawk tragedy.

Now, he’ll be leading Libs

Standing as an independent for his first term, Ryde Clr Vic Tagg is aiming for a second term on Council leading the Liberal team in East Ward.

Concerned with what’s happening “in the whole of the City”, Clr Tagg takes a special interest in sporting matters.

As chairman of Ryde Hunters Hill Life Education, he believes sport has a valuable role to play in our lives, especially in terms of health.

He has vowed to freeze sporting costs, and to improve amenities, suggesting that many toilet blocks are in “urgent need of upgrading”.

It’s also his dream to a have a footpath in every street in Ryde: “When it’s raining, I’ve seen young mums forced to walk on the road. This is just so dangerous.”

He’s also passionate about continuing his fight to rid Macquarie Park of parking meters, as well as over-zealous parking rangers.

Throughout the past four years, Clr Tagg says he has made good on a number of election promises, most notably the beautification of Putney’s shopping precinct “which should be completed at the end of this month”.

He also says he was able to get the soccer and touch football back on Morrison Bay Park.

Drawn on the issue of political parties in local government, Clr Tagg said his new Liberal status was not going to affect the way he did his job.

“We’re meant to be there for the people. I try to help all residents. I’m not going to hold anything against anyone because of the way they vote.”

The former butcher is married to wife Susan and has two daughters Kate and Alison.

Keeps Greens’ flag flying

Judith Webster is standing for Ryde City Council’s East Ward in an attempt to preserve a Greens’ presence at a local level.

The two Greens councillors elected in Ryde at the last local government elections, clrs Tom Mc Cosker and Maha Melhem, are not seeking re-election.

In Ms Webster’s first election campaign, the mother-of-two says she has a vision of Ryde leading the way in terms of clean, renewable energy and low carbon emissions.

“In the face of the looming crises of climate change and oil shortages, the residents and businesses of Ryde can make a real difference by using 100 per cent green power, solar hot water, using public transport or cycling wherever possible, and a host of other initiatives that will help transition us to a more sustainable society,” Ms Webster said.

As principal policy officer for the NSW Maritime government advisor, Ms Webster believes she really does have something to bring to the table.

“I believe in the Greens’ principles of social equity and economic justice, ecological sustainability, peace, non-violence and grass roots democracy.

“I will be listening carefully to the needs and vision of all sections of our community, and being truly representative of our community on the council.”

She’s concerned with maintaining wildlife corridors and ensuring that the Field of Mars does not become an isolated environmental haven.

She says her party is “very much about democracy”, and about creating increased community participation in local government.

Ms Webster has lived in the Ryde area for seven years. Joining her on the Greens’ ticket are Ted Nettle, Jill Hartley and Ewen Finnane.

HUNTERS HILL

‘Bring on the second term’

Hunters Hill’s first popularly elected mayor, Sue Hoopmann, believes she has what it takes to make it eight straight years in the top job.

At 66, Mayor Clr Hoopmann says she definitely has the “ability and the energy” to make positive things happen for another term.

Of highest priority is the continued restoration of the heritage-listed The Priory building, in the grounds of the old Gladesville Hospital.

“I want to set The Priory on a more permanent path towards self sustainability for the benefit of the whole community,” she said.

“The next step is the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan for this priceless Hunters Hill landmark.”

Also high on her list is the undergrounding of the municipality’s electricity cables, in order to stop the hacking of the area’s leafy trees.

She’s also passionate about the eradication of graffiti, further recognition of heritage items, and progress on the footpath, road and traffic improvement program.

As a former member of the Sydney Airport Community Forum (SACF), Clr Hoopmann says this puts her in a good position to keep a close check on any increases in aircraft noise over the suburb.

A resident of Hunters Hill for 36 years, Clr Hoopmann was first elected to Council in 1987, and in that time has served a total of almost 10 years as mayor.

As mayor, she says her achievements include the establishment of the Hunters Hill Food and Wine Festival, which each year raises funds for various community causes.

Joining her on the ticket for South Ward are Deputy Mayor Clr Simon Frame, paediatrician Meredith Sheil, and Mark Bennett, a resident of Huntley’s Cove who heads the HR division of a large company.

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