What do you love about the Tweed region?
My family have lived on the Tweed since the 1960s. It’s where I was born, it’s where I share so many special moments with my friends and family. The Tweed is where I took my wedding vows and it’s where my wife and I will raise our children into the future.
Our coastline and open spaces are enjoyed and cherished by locals and visitors alike, and we need to protect the uniqueness.
My campaign includes to keep the Norries Headland upper carpark open and defend the rights of all residents to experience the mindfulness and health benefits that comes with ‘blue space’. It’s central to my values and my commitment to protect our unique Tweed lifestyle.
Why are you putting your hand up for the Tweed Council?
I have a proven track record of getting results for locals as a councillor. Keeping rates low, getting improved services delivered and upgrading local roads.
What residents are telling me is that they want results, and they want Councillors who are actually committed to running a full four-year term.
Locals tell me they are concerned that some candidates may be using this local council election as a vehicle to promote themselves so they can try and cut and run to another level of government later.
Of particular concern is National Party member and self-proclaimed “Independent” council candidate, Kimberly Hone, who is continuing to campaign for the Federal seat of Richmond while asking people to vote her into council in a fortnight. My message to locals’ is don’t waste your vote on someone who may have priorities that lie elsewhere.
As your Labor Councillor I’m committed to serving the full four-year term and I challenge every candidate to commit to do the same before election day.
My Labor team of locals, Judy Choat, Russell Logan, and Marie Rogers are focussed on building on the work already achieved and continuing to get better results for locals.
What relevant skills or experience do you bring to the position?
I have a thorough understanding of how government works and a track record of delivering for the people of the Tweed. Labor is the party of the fair go and that’s what local residents and ratepayers will get with voting Labor.
How would you address the local housing crisis?
I have a demonstrated record of working collaboratively with both state and federal governments. Council needs to approve development applications (DA) in a timely manner and get on with the job asked of them by the residents. There is also merit in examining the idea of allowing second dwellings on rural lots.
People have had enough of the excuses and are demanding a functioning council that will get things done. At the core of this is my commitment to continue to support housing developments with supporting infrastructure – roads, sewage, telecommunications, and parklands.
Do you think there is a role for local councillors beyond roads, rates and rubbish? If so, what is it?
Yes, for example, I want to deliver a mobile phone tower approval for Pottsville. Pottsville residents have enough of mobile phone and internet blackspots.
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?
My job has always been about making evidence based decisions. I will support our council staff and experts so appropriate projects can get moving forward. I’m known from my engagement and good relationships with stakeholders and members of our community that they expect more from our Council. The next Council must do better.
How do you balance the pressure of more people and the need to protect the environment which is attracting the people?
Protecting the environment has to be based on science and the facts. We need a common sense approach when we are struggling with a housing crisis.
My record speaks for itself, I’m about protecting the things that are important to our community ie access to Norries Headland. I do not support the anti-community agenda of the Greens and the Greens aligned councillors who consistently vote to lock out residents from enjoying and living in the Tweed.
Some may say that balancing these issues is a challenge, but I view it as an opportunity to keep Tweed special. I’m eager to continue in the best interests of residents and ratepayers.
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. 
