1 Candidate details
Name: Eddie Roberts
Council: Tweed Shire
Town/city: Uki
Number of years in shire/LGA: 29 yrs
Current councillor? No
Clubs/sports/interests: I love active sports including mountain biking, bushwalking and surfing. I am VP of UKIRA (Uki Residents Assn), founding president of TweedCAN (Climate Action Now), past VP for Tweed Landcare Inc, founding member of WollumbinBUG (Bicycle Users Group). My interests involve improving community infrastructure and living sustainably.
Are you a member of a political party or an organised ‘ticket’? Yes
If yes, which party or who else is on your ticket?: I am head of an independent group Tweed Respect, a ticket with Scott Sledge, Tim O’Hara and Tracey Stride
Brief description: I am a small-business owner. I am passionate about my family, community and the outstanding Tweed environment. I look at the big picture and plan for the long term. I see eco/adventure tourism as one way to finance our local economy.
2 What has motivated you to stand?
I am standing to help bring a new way of thinking to council, one that supports local business and that acknowledges our natural assets. I want to see a council that listens to the community, one that makes moral decisions for future generations.
3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?
My vision for the shire is where families want to live, where visitors want to explore and where businesses want to come and set up headquarters.
4 In your opinion, how can council best balance the need for further residential development with the need to preserve the local environment?
I believe council should encourage small sustainable residential development that enhances the quality of life for local residents while protecting our unique natural environment.
5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?
I feel strongly about:
- keeping coal-seam gas out of the Tweed shire
- securing a sustainable long-term water supply for the Tweed
- supporting and encouraging new business opportunities for the shire
- keeping the character of our local villages while increasing their facilities for the communities they serve and visitors
- protecting our beaches, rivers and natural assets while developing better access, freeing them from invasive weeds
- improving roads to be friendly to all users including families, pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities
- developing renewable-energy opportunities in the shire.
