From 2007 to 2020, I lived in Byron Bay. I worked as a community-based coastal and marine researcher and writer. I wrote about this local ecology for The Echo. My PhD was about the Bay and coast.
In these years, I met Cate Coorey at meetings about water, development and biodiversity issues. She proved to be an outstanding community-based worker. She found the heart of the issues and led decisive, effective actions. From letters, submissions, meetings to protests, marches and consultations, Cate did the hard yards. But she also brought a large group of the community together to join her in doing that. And she did that consistently, year after year.
Cate’s roles changed from new resident to respected community leader and an elected councillor. She led her core team, including myself, through the years of West Byron campaigns and meetings. She helped secure changes for the better about water, sewerage and density issues.
As councillor, she learned more about water, wildlife and trees from me, other researchers and residents. She instigated the Water Sensitive Urban Design policy. This now guides the Shire and private works in ecologically best practice, so important for our wetlands, floodplains and ICOLLs.
I worked with Cate for all these years. I found her consistent, attentive and voicing concerns for water, biodiversity and community. Her practical experience with government process at all levels is impressive and effective. Her cheerful, honest and generous Council manners and methods are great to see. Such a good contrast to some egocentric and aggressive ways all too common in modern government.
I urge voters to meet Cate and chat with this independent competent woman. She has such a strong record in making good changes in our local community. She would be an excellent mayor.
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. 
