Glenys Ritchie – Lismore Candidate

1 Candidate details

Name: Glenys Ritchie

Council: Lismore

Town/city: Lismore

Number of years in shire/LGA: 30 years

Current councillor? No

Clubs/sports/interests: Teacher of Irish dance in Lismore for 20 years, member of Workers Club, Australian Irish Dance Association, Friends of the Koala. I love to camp, bushwalk, cycle and garden.

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’m part of the Country Labor Team with Mayor Jenny Dowell, Deputy Mayor Isaac Smith, Councillor Ray Houston, Kevin Bell and Naomi Worrall.

Brief description: Glenys studied Education and Social Sciences at SCU. She is currently a Human Resources professional with the NSW government with a strong commitment to social justice, community consultation and sustainability.

2 What has motivated you to stand?

I love Lismore and I want to see it grow and thrive.

I want Lismore residents to be listened to and be fairly represented in council matters. Real community consultation and participation are a driving force in my motivation to stand.

I have excellent skills in listening and negotiating good outcomes and I want to be part of a team that is not tunnel-visioned, but one that works together for the benefit of the whole community and its future generations by making balanced, thoughtful decisions.

I want to be part of a council that strives for a sustainable balance of good social, business, environmental, creative and financial outcomes for Lismore.

3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?

I want the Lismore LGA to thrive as a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable regional centre. I want our children and their children to be proud of Lismore and have the opportunity to live, work and play here in a healthy environment.

I see a community that respects the views and lifestyles of others and works towards a harmonious alliance of both agricultural land owners and town/village residents.

I want an LGA that sees the big picture, without losing sight of core services needed to support the residents who live here.

4 In your opinion, how can council best balance the need for further residential development with the need to preserve the local environment?

The key to balancing residential development and the preservation of the environment is real and effective consultation between all interested parties.

Council needs to apply planning and management tools fairly and consistently, without losing sight of the need to review these, as community demands will inevitably change over time.

5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?

I have an enthusiasm for transparency and communication. I want our council to be a strong and cohesive team working towards invigorating and supporting the Lismore LGA on behalf of its residents. I want financial accountability without smothering creative opportunities to grow our regional centre and its villages.