What do you love about the Tweed region?
Ned Wales recognises that Tweed region has rich scenic landscapes and beautiful beaches that are deeply valued by the community. Ned cares about how our natural resources are managed. He also values the importance of local business prosperity.
Why are you putting your hand up for the Tweed Council?
Ned’s family moved to this region in the early 1970’s. He wants to contribute to the future planning and resource management of the region by listening to what people have to say, providing informed input into the decisions that affect the future of our region
What relevant skills or experience do you bring to the position?
Ned Wales holds a number of universities degrees and professional experience in natural resource management, local government administration and land use planning. This combination of skills along with a long history of living in the Tweed allows him to understand where we have been, the impacts of rapid population growth and the importance of creating resilient and adaptive communities in light of the severe impacts of a changing climate.
How would you address the local housing crisis?
Ned Wales feels that providing more housing is essential to create a more equitable society. Affordable and social housing has been neglected over the past couple of decades by Federal and State governments. Ned Wales supports housing supply through increased density located in areas that are appropriate.
Urban consolidation is a fundamental principle in createing sustainable communities and accommodating rapid population growth. Urban consolidation allows clusters of high-quality urban form that support essential services, efficient use of infrastructure, while protecting our eco-system services. Urban consolidation helps avoid the destruction of natural habitat that we have experienced with urban sprawl. Ned will work hard to ensure all levels of government deliver more affordable and inclusionary housing.
Do you think there is a role for local councilors beyond roads, rates and rubbish? If so, what is it?
Ned recognises that we are in a critical decade, where rapid action is needed to decarbonise our economic system. He is in support of the Australian Commonwealth government ratification of the UN Paris Agreement, where local government has a critical role in carbon pollution abatement measures. In our region we have made good progress in renewable energy, water management and waste harvesting. There is still much more we can achieve with Ned’s contribution to local government action to transition to economic circularity.
There are over 20,000 approvals in place for residential and business development lots yet there is significant delay in activating these sites. What will you do to change that if you are elected?
Ned Wales has considerable experience in the field of urban planning and land use management. The development industry needs to be incentivised to move forward with the thousands of development site already approved. Our housing shortage could be addressed if these approvals were realised. Ned will work hard to encourage the development industry to move forward and complete the task of building communities where there are already approvals that meet the planning criteria.
How do you balance the pressure of more people and the need to protect the environment which is attracting the people?
Ned believes the benefit of well-considered master planning and strategic planning policies can provide the balance we need between human settlement patterns and the net gain of biodiversity. Land use audits, inclusive decision making and effective negotiation with industry can provide desirable solutions to protect our native habitats, while providing new communities that accommodate increase population pressures.
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. 
