1 Candidate details
Name: Kerry Turner
Council: Tweed
Town/city: Uki
Number of years in shire/LGA: 10
Current councillor? No
Clubs/sports/interests: Management Committee Murwillumbah Community Centre, director Murwillumbah Business Chamber, director Tweed River Agricultural Society
Are you a member of a political party or an organised ‘ticket’? Yes
If yes, which party or who else is on your ticket?: Jayne Henry, Nicole Schiller, Rhiannon Brinsmead, Kevin Skinner
Brief description: I am passionate about ensuring we leave behind a sustainable future for the youth that come after us.
2 What has motivated you to stand?
I have been involved with the Murwillumbah Community Centre since 2003 and witness on a daily basis the social outcomes that result from economic hardship. I would like to see a greater focus on developing sustainable employment opportunities.
3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?
My vision for the Tweed is to build a strong economy that creates training and employment opportunities, especially for our youth, in a manner that supports and protects our natural environment.
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 that council should ensure that developers adhere strictly to compliance issues regarding the environment and that appropriate penalties are in place to act as a deterrent. I also believe that housing growth without job growth will only lead to an increase in negative social outcomes.
5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?
I feel very strongly about the state of our local economy and about the issue of water for the future. Firstly, I believe we need an economic-development strategy as a matter of priority. I have seen an increase in the demand for community services such as emergency relief, food programs, financial counselling, tenancy support etc as a result of the economic downturn.
Secondly, I believe there are viable alternatives to the building of a dam. I lived in the UK for seven years prior to moving to the Tweed and the use of recycled water has successfully been in practice for a number of years throughout the UK and Europe. There is absolutely no need to build another dam.