1. What led you to run for Mayor?
When first elected to Council in 2004, standing for Mayor was not on my radar. However, with Greg Piper not re contesting this election and with his encouragement, I decided my eight and a half years as an independent councillor, including two stints as Deputy Mayor, stood me in good stead to contest the position. Lake Macquarie is recognised in the region as being a stable, decisive Council that gets things done and I want to see that continue while delivering ongoing improvements to the city. Having retired from a successful and rewarding career in TAFE early last year, I am in a position to devote all my efforts to the mayoral role if elected.
2. You’ve been endorsed by former Mayor John Kilpatrick and Greg Piper, do you think that helps your campaign?
Lake Macquarie Council has experienced a considerable period of progress and stability which I believe can largely be attributed to the stewardship of former Mayor, John Kilpatrick and incumbent Greg Piper. As independent Mayors, they have been able to break down the barriers which party politics often create and bring councillors and staff together to achieve positive outcomes for the community. Many ratepayers appreciate the responsible governance shown by Lake Macquarie Council under these two independent Mayors and, as an independent Councillor with their endorsement, I hope this will help my campaign.
3. You’ve been on council for 8 years and served as Deputy Mayor, how do you think that experience equips you for the job?
As an independent councillor for eight and a half years, I have had a variety of experiences and been part of many significant decisions which have shaped the look and amenity of the city. Lake Macquarie is a complex local government area and councillors are required to make decisions on a broad range of issues. I have been part of a council which includes Independent, Labor, Liberal and greens councillors, with no one group dominating and who have been able to work together to ensure positive outcomes for the city. As the Deputy Mayor on two different occasions over the last two terms, I have taken on civic responsibilities for the Mayor and chaired Council meetings in his absence. I believe this extensive experience, together with a management background in the workforce, equips me well for the position.
4. What is your biggest challenge in winning this election?
There are six candidates contesting the position of Mayor on 8 September so it is a big challenge to get myself known to the many voters in Lake Macquarie and being able to convince them to vote for me above the other five. An additional challenge is the labor mayoral candidate with the same surname!
5. What is the first thing you would change in Lake Macquarie if elected?
I don’t believe in “the new broom” syndrome, unless there are dire circumstances which need to be addressed immediately. As the new “chairman of the board”, which the Mayor effectively is, it is important to listen and look in an effort to learn as much as possible about the culture of the organisation. It is important to build a good working relationship with the General Manager and the newly elected councillors. I would arrange an informal visit to each section of Council with the view to meeting as many of the staff as possible.
6. What would be your main priority if elected?
Financial sustainability and good governance are my priorities. Without these Council is not able to deliver the infrastructure and services a modern, vibrant city wants and deserves.
I would meet with the General Manager and review all departments in Council to ensure they are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. Regular communication and building a good working relationship with other councillors is important to ensure they are receiving the information and support they require to enable them to perform their duties as elected representatives. Council needs to engage effectively with the community to communicate what it is doing and to hear what residents want from their council. It is always a challenge to engage with a large and broad cross section of the community and this is something I will focus on if elected mayor.
7. Earlier this month, more than 300 Lake Macquarie Council staff passed a vote of no confidence in councillors and senior management, how would you go to address and resolve this tension?
Effective, regular communication and negotiation with staff is important to prevent such situations arising. It is not the responsibility of the elected Council to become involved in operational issues but if Mayor, I would meet with the General Manager to be kept informed of any ongoing industrial issues. I would encourage him to meet with the staff and relevant union officials on a regular basis to address, or preferably prevent, any issues arising and to promote industrial harmony.
8. If elected you would be Lake Macquarie’s first female Mayor, how would that feel?
I would hope that people voted for me because they thought I was the best person for the job. Having said that, I would be proud to be the first female Mayor of Lake Macquarie and would see it as another chip in the “glass ceiling” and a milestone for women in Lake Macquarie in achieving recognition in what has traditionally been a male dominated area.
9. How would you rate the performance of the current council and what would you change?
A recent community survey indicated that 72% of residents in Lake Macquarie are satisfied or very satisfied with Council and IPART acknowledged Lake Macquarie to be an efficient Council when it approved a rate rise earlier this year. Compared to other “Group Five Councils”, as classified by the Department of Local Government (including Newcastle, Wyong and Wollongong), Lake Macquarie has historically operated the most efficiently. Despite financial constraints, over the last term of Council significant infrastructure has been delivered across the city. Such projects as shared pathways, including completion of the Fernleigh Track and the award winning Red Bluff Shared Pathway at Eleebana; Speers Point All Abilities Playground, which recently won an award for the best play space in Australia; Wyee Point Park; Cameron Park Community Centre; Charlestown Community & Youth Centre; Chapman Oval Skate Park at Swansea and a number of jetties and launching facilities across the lake, to mention just a few.
While this is a good result, there’s always more to be done and some things can be done better. Lake Macquarie, like all local government areas in NSW has suffered from rate capping and cost shifting from the State and Federal Governments over many years. While the rate rise will help Council achieve financial sustainability, it is important that councillors keep their “eye on the ball” regarding fiscal matters If elected Mayor I would ensure the elected Council works closely with the General Manager and senior management team to identify ongoing efficiencies in an effort to direct additional funds to infrastructure.
10. How do you rate your chances of winning the election?
If I didn’t think I had some chance I wouldn’t have made the decision to stand. However, there are five other credible candidates and a number of variables that give no certainty to the outcome on election day.
I think she should have remained retired. Give the job to someone that is forward thinking. She was a tired employee at TAFE with outdated ideas that should have retired earlier. Move over and let someone with younger ideas with a business head have the job.