Rebecca Sargeant – Byron candidate

1 Candidate details

Rebecca Sargeant

Council: Byron Shire

Town/city: Bangalow

Number of years in shire/LGA: 4

Current councillor? No

Clubs/sports/interests: Past president and committee member of the Bangalow Community Children’s Centre, AFL – Byron Bay Magpies, reading, tennis, family

Are you a member of a political party or an organised ‘ticket’? Vision in Action

If yes, which party or who else is on your ticket?: Sol Ibrahim, Laurie Lynch, Bradley Wodiske, Michael Murray, Mira Eady

Brief description: Bangalow resident, mother of Mick, Tess and Emma, wife of Adrian Kennedy and lawyer specialising in taxation law. I have an ordered mind but a messy house.

2 What has motivated you to stand?

A desire to serve the community and a belief that I am well suited to the role of councillor.

3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?

I think this is a great place to live. I just think that council needs to focus itself on serving the community and getting things done.

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

By having a council that reflects the community it serves and that is motivated to find practical solutions to the complex challenges it faces. Embrace sustainable building techniques, encourage creative thinking, be consistent in the application of planning regulations.

5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?

Good governance. I believe local councillors should have the capacity to approach an issue with an open mind, listen to the relevant parties’ views, understand the complexities of the issue and the framework of the decision-making process and make a sound judgment accordingly.