1 Candidate details
Name: Paul Murphy
Council: Lismore City Council
Town/city: Lismore
Number of years in shire/LGA: 40
Current councillor? No
Clubs/sports/interests: life member of Lismore Apex Club
Are you a member of a political party or an organised ‘ticket’? Yes
If yes, which party or who else is on your ticket?: Ratepayers Association of Lismore Inc (vice-president).
Brief description: Third-generation Caniaba resident, financial planner for the past 21 years. Frustration with the state of our local roads and council finances is a strong point of focus for the ratepayers association.
2 What has motivated you to stand?
Initially it was the poor state of our roads. Since then I have discovered the financial issues faced by our council including the cover-ups by council of their true financial position.
3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?
Our city is slowly dying and cannot afford another four years of council like the current one; we need to take urgent action now! Our projected population growth for the city of Lismore for the next 24 years is 0.4 per cent. This is less than half the projected rate of the northern rivers, which is 0.9 per cent. In order to create a vibrant future for our city we need to support small business with a buy local / support locals feature. Our media could be of major assistance in getting the message out there. As well, small business in the CBD block are paying four times the rates of any of business in Lismore; it’s no wonder shops are constantly closing and we are seeing people’s lives ruined as a result. No one wants this, I’m sure.
4 In your opinion, how can council best balance the need for further residential development with the need to preserve the local environment?
The Ratepayers Association of Lismore Inc stands for ‘appropriate development’, not development at all cost; we want to find a balance between development and the environment.
5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?
Roads, and the lack of funding towards roads. Too many lives are being lost on our local roads. In January this year we lost a son in a tragic road accident on the Bangalow Road, so as you can well imagine it is something very close to me.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
