Candidate details
Name: Jennifer Hayes
Council: Tweed Shire Council
Town/city: Murwillumbah
Number of years in shire/LGA: Born and bred in the Tweed Shire
Current councillor? No
Clubs/sports/interests: Rotary AM, founder and president of Team Koala Inc, netball, currently studying conservation and land management
Are you a member of a political party or an organised ‘ticket’? Independent in Gary Bagnall Group
Brief description: school teacher, active, enthusiastic and positive. Passionate about the Tweed, our Tweed
2 What has motivated you to stand?
The love of the Tweed. To protect the Tweed – our Tweed.
3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?
The Tweed is not dead and I’m against selling it off in small pieces at ‘fire sale’ prices.
If we build on our unique strengths, I genuinely believe that we can bring in fresh capital in the form of tourists and investments to not only maintain the great lifestyle choices of the Tweed but to grow as well.
4 In your opinion, how can council best balance the need for further residential development with the need to preserve the local environment?
All developments need to obey our normal standards of development. Special rules for big developers should be fought tooth and nail.
5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?
I have been campaigning for environmentally friendly development for Kings Forest. At this stage, Kings Forest only has concept approval. They will need to get each stage approved by council.
I will always fight for what is best for the long-term interests of the Tweed.
Real jobs for real people. There is always commentary about jobs being created but these are not jobs for our local tradesmen. When we create a job here the money is spent in town with the follow-on effect to other local businesses.
Thirty Shops in Thirty Days
I want to bring to council a campaign to revitalise our town, by organising a community busy-bee to energise thirty shops in thirty days. I believe that we as a community can roll up our sleeves and help each other out with a coat of paint, a tidy up and some shopfront displays that can lift this town. Give people a reason to stop on the highway and pay us a visit , let them know that the Tweed is OPEN for business. There are many federal and state grants for such things that we should be accessing to grow our towns.
Lower Rates. A friend of mine said, ‘Don’t be too lazy to pick up two bob’. I feel that this should apply to us, with a need to be careful with expenses and not be lazy in our efforts. We all know that things are tough, especially for people with limited resources. If we can save a few dollars, we should be able to pass these savings on.
Unity. If in council I am not just there for the people who voted for me; I am there for the entire Tweed and all its residents, businesses and people.
I will give the Tweed 100 per cent and if my fellow councillors will do likewise , then we as a council will perform together and transform together. When we consider the splendour of the area, then it can only get better.
