[Bermagui Community] Bermagui Community Forum Update - Council Candidates Have Their Say

[Bermagui Community Forum]

The latest news from the Bermagui Community Forum

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Updated Council Election Candidate Information
In this issue

.  (#Pool) Introduction (#Pool)
. Statement from Labor (#Labor)
. Statement from the Greens (#Greens)
. Statement from Karen Wright (#Karen)
. Statement from Neil Bourke (#Neil)
. Statement from David Porter (#Porter)
. Statement from Liz Seckold (#Seckold)
. Statement from Joy Robin (#Joy)
. Statement from Michael Britten (#Michael)
Management Committee

Coordinator:                       Geoff Steel (mailto:geoffsteel1 at bigpond.com)
Deputy Coordinator:      Narelle Myers
Phil Coates
Fergus McWhirter
David Monro
Bill Southwood

27 November 2021

The Bermagui Community Forum offered to provide our local community with a statement from each candidate prior to the Bega Valley Shire Council Election on 4 December. We asked that the candidate statement should be no more than 300 words and cover their background, the locality they live in and their primary objectives for the Council. We have received more responses since our previous newsletter and these are now included below.

Responses were received from the Labor Team, The Greens, Karen Wright, Neil Bourke, David Porter, Liz Seckold, Joy Robin and Michael Britten.

Unfortunately no statements were received from Mitch Nadin, Nathan O’Donnell, Russell Fitzpatrick, Tony Allen or Joshua Shoobridge.

Candidate statements that we received are provided below in Ballot Paper (https://facebook.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9030b531e962ad02c68a923c8&id=ae9fd3c7d3&e=34e977e1dc) order for your information.

Voting day is Saturday 4 December. Early voting will be available at the Bermagui Community Centre on 1, 2 and 3 December.

A candidate forum hosted by the Joint Chamber of Commerce was held on Zoom on 23 November. Candidates Helen O’Neil, Simon Daly, Cathy Griff on behalf of Greens, Karen Wright, Neil Bourke and Michael Britten attended the forum. Apologies were received from Mitch Nadin, Nathan O’Donnell, Russell Fitzpatrick, David Porter and Joy Robin.

Topics discussed at the forum included housing affordability, council finances, asset fire protection zones, support for the arts, Cuttagee Bridge restoration, tourism support, Merimbula ocean outfall vs recycling, and poor conduct by several councillors. There was little disagreement between the candidates attending the forum other than on some fire protection measures.

Cathy Griff from the Greens is meeting at Honorbread on Wed 1 December at 9:30am.

Helen O’Neil lives at Cuttagee and is Chair of South East Arts which has been supporting local artists and organisations through the bushfires and lockdowns. She has also worked in regional development at national level and on partnerships between the three levels of government. Helen brings experience in governance on non-profit and government Boards.

Simon Daly lives with a young family in Pambula and as a project manager oversees Government funded projects and budgets that support disadvantaged communities. He is passionate about the natural environment and the need to manage it sustainably to create jobs and preserve biodiversity in the region.

We are standing to give the community a real voice on Council. Bega Valley Shire Council needs to get back on track, focusing on the community and not on itself. We want a progressive Bega Valley council which will consult, discuss and collaborate – and be a powerful voice for our community with regional, state and federal partners.

Major Issues:

. Housing is at crisis point. The shire has a critical shortage of housing. Along with a sharp hike in rents, it’s a struggle for low- and mid-income families to stay here - and for businesses to find staff. We will push to have a housing summit focused on real and practical actions to address the issue.
. The environment is our biggest asset but faces major threats. Council must use its practical connection with community to listen – and advocate strongly with State and Federal Governments for further assistance to prepare for climate challenges. There must be a rapid transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Regional communities must be at the centre of energy and climate policies, so that they can benefit from the opportunities.
. We will back our community groups and volunteers that are feeling the pressure after the bushfires and pandemic. There needs to be better on-the-ground support from Council in areas like cultural tourism that will bring new jobs and strengthen First Nations organisations.
. We will advocate for the renewal of Cuttagee bridge using a timber solution once it is established what stage the project has reached.
. We will not support the upgrade of the Bermagui-Tathra road as a freight route.

Cathy Griff - Lead Greens candidate

I am a long-term resident of Tanja with close connections to the region of Bermagui. My career has been in film production and media policy, mainly for government agencies such as Screen Australia and the Australian Film & Television School. I am proud of my achievements as a councillor representing the Greens for over five years. I have initiated progress in major issues confronting our Shire: recognition of a climate emergency, which fed into the Climate Resilience Strategy; since 2017, striving for an Affordable Housing Strategy, which is currently out for public comment. Local government can contribute significantly to confronting crises afflicting us all. The Greens network with councillors throughout Australia, sharing solutions.

I represent Council as Deputy Chair of South East Arts, which develops our extraordinary visual and performing artists.  I’ve strongly supported local culture, heritage, and regional media. The arts are essential to our Shire’s economy, vibrant tourism and to mental health. I have openly championed Bermagui icons such as the Four Winds and the Cuttagee Bridge. My other Council achievements have been in waste and recycling, extending shared pathways, Electric Vehicle support, and in greater DA decision transparency.

Government change comes slowly and is hampered by slim resources. All Council projects have long time lines and it is essential to learn their historical context. I am keen to be re-elected to continue work newly underway. Having robust policies is the first step but strong councillors are vital to oversee real action.

Vivian Harris - Number two candidate on the Bega Valley Greens ticket

I moved to the Bega Valley three years ago. I have a qualifications in Veterinary Science, Education and Environmental Health and work as a teacher. Dismayed by the 2018 IPCC report I have also become a well-known local climate activist. Black Summer showed us that climate change is already here and going to get worse.

Solutions to reduce global heating and paths to help us adapt to climate change will present huge opportunities to grow new renewable industries and jobs, improve our physical and mental health, strengthen and empower our community and make sure vulnerable community members are not left behind. I am proud of living a very low carbon emission lifestyle with the satisfaction of driving an EV, growing food and being able to demonstrate the simplicity and satisfaction of such choices.

Local government has an important role in climate adaptation and mitigation with infrastructure, community education and development and local planning. It is vital that our Shire takes the climate emergency seriously and takes up the opportunities climate action can offer our communities.

Being a Greens candidate means I’m backed by years of work developing policies and solutions that benefit communities and protect our precious natural environment for our and future generations.

Please vote 1 for Cathy Griff and 2 for me to put more Greens on Council on December 4.

Paula Park

After living through prolonged drought and  the Black Saturday fires on farms in Victoria I moved to the Shire in 2009. Experiencing first hand a similar drought and catastrophic fires in Tathra provided a strong motivation to stand for Council

My career has been in teaching and I’m an office holder very engaged with the local Tathra surf club. My networks in the region go well beyond politics.  I have a strong sense of community and am committed to issues such the South East being a centre of excellence for renewable energy. I have ‘had my say’ on many local issues in Council and written reports for areas of concern, including the Climate Resilience Strategy.

The Greens focus on building strong communities and infrastructure, on real local action on climate change, social justice and affordable housing are also key for me as a candidate.

Please support the Cathy Griff and the Greens in promoting and preserving our stunning LGA.

Angus Ashcroft

As a young student who lives in Tathra, I’m deeply concerned about the future for our community and the impacts of climate change on my generation. We need to tackle climate change now at all level of government, especially locally.

I’m running on the Bega Valley Greens ticket because the Greens are the only Party with climate policies that actually reflect what the science is telling us: we must do far more to protect our communities and ecosystems from global warming.

The Greens and I believe young people deserve a strong voice in local government. Young peoples’ needs are often ignored by politicians. Many of our social services are at breaking point right now. Issues like youth crisis accommodation and affordable housing desperately need addressing. As Greens Councillors we will bring a strong focus to these issues as well as helping maintain our Shire's services and protecting the precious ecosystem that sustain our vibrant communities.

I urge you to vote for Cathy Griff and the Green team to bring a strong ethical and policy platform to our Council Chamber.

Peter Haggar

Together with my partner Anna Leamon, I have lived in Brogo and run Café Evolve in Bega since moving to the Shire in 2006. We were drawn here because of the area’s beautiful remnant forests and pristine coastline. The Bega Valley also offered a vibrant community in which to be part of local action on climate change and transition to a cleaner economy.

Born in Bombala and growing up in rural communities, I understand the advantages and challenges rural living brings and the benefits of well-connected communities. I am committed to building a culture of strong consultation and engagement in the Shire Council. I have a good understanding of citizens juries or assemblies and want to see BVSC use grass-roots democracy to strengthen its consultative processes.

Throughout my adult life, I have worked for family-run businesses or owned and operated businesses myself. I have a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance, which certainly would be useful in Council.

Passionate about waste elimination at Café Evolve, I am proud of the amount that the business is able to divert from landfill and feel BVSC can build on the success of FOGO to move towards a zero waste goal for the Shire.

To build real community engagement please vote for Cathy Griff, Peter and the Greens team on December 4.

I’ve grown up in the Bega Valley, and live in South Pambula with my two children. I am a foster carer assessor in the Out of Home Care sector.

It is an honour to be of service to the community I love. I have previously been a board member of Sapphire Community Pantry and president of Pambula Community Garden as well as being a member of many community groups including SPAN, the Social Justice Advocates and SWAMP.

Youth and Families
There is currently no youth council and no voice for young people within our Council and this is something I want to re-establish. As a mum of a young family I want to use my voice and echo the voices of other families with young kids when Council makes decisions that will affect them including on youth infrastructure like the Skate Park project in Merimbula. We need family engagement and opportunities for youth to find training and employment here.

Sustainability
Council can make good sustainable financial decisions, through better, on the ground community consultation. We should not be reactive when making decisions, and we should have good policy to support this. This includes decisions on roads, acquiring and selling properties and ‘trimming the fat’ in terms of reducing debt. I want to be a Councillor that is representative of the wider community. There are many candidates that are there for the Ratepayers, but I believe we should have councillors for all residents. Sustainable decisions to protect our environment should be a key focus of Council, and this includes protecting our oceans, investing in renewable energy and implementing good environmental and climate resilience policy.

A strong community
Our community is very resilient but we are in recovery from drought, fires, floods and COVID19.  I want to see: strong support for local small businesses, training options and job creation, opportunities for migrant integration, better cultural inclusion and First Nations consultation. Council needs an Arts policy as the arts help reduce social isolation and bring a huge amount of money to our region. We need to remove red tape on community spaces, promote accessibility Shire wide and above all, push for affordable housing and addressing the rental crisis as these impact on small businesses and their staff, families, people fleeing domestic violence, and health care workers that need short term accommodation here.

Find my policies here (https://facebook.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9030b531e962ad02c68a923c8&id=6ace1b85b5&e=34e977e1dc) .

Neil Bourke has nominated as a candidate for the Council elections on December 4 2021.

Ready to meet the challenges of listening and responding to the community from Cobargo to Wonboyn and all the hamlets, villages and localities in between.

Strengthening the advocacy with federal and state governments for additional funding.

Working for every ratepayer in the entire shire not just those in the larger hubs.

Commit to opportunity and economical development for the shire.

Community focus, realising goals and lifelong learning have driven Neil to support community. He has served as a member of the Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club for 10 years; Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol Merimbula for 3 years; member of the Merimbula Visitor Information Centre steering committee; member of the Merimbula and Sapphire Coast Promotions committee for 3 years; one of two industry representatives for Sapphire Coast Tourism for 3 years and a member of the Frogs Hollow Flyers Aero Club for 10 years; and he has supported the Quaama and Candelo Public School P&C Committees in their various endeavours.

Nominating without any affiliation to any of the political parties means Neil free to listen and respond to ratepayers needs without having to be accountable to party policies. Something Neil feels is tremendously important at the Local Government level and a strength not all candidates may offer.

I was born in Bega and proud of it. I have a wife Eva and two children Daytona and Austin who attend Bega High.

I see myself as a Community Advocate, not a politician, I am NOT affiliated with any political party, I strongly believe political parties do not belong in council. I believe in Community, Common Sense, Sustainability, Transparency, Accountability and a High Standard of Ethics.

I am not running for council to be a part of the problems, I am running for council to be part of the solution”, with my extensive business career I possess the skills to be the catalyst of change, transforming Council into an efficient services based organisation, that will improve satisfaction and take the pressure off of our rates.

I am passionate about having a future council that exceeds the expectations of our community, a council that is accountable, service focused financially viable and efficient in its operation. With Councillors focused on working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for the community. Reducing processing times improves both resident and employee satisfaction.

Based on my extensive experience and training I am READY TO DELIVER SOLUTIONS, to inefficiency, to finances, to skyrocketing rates, to our lack of resilience and water security, to our housing crisis, to our unhappy communities, to our unhappy council employees, to our zoning issues, to our failed projects, to our airport and even to our sustainability.

It use to take 6-8 weeks to get an owner builder permit from the Department of Fair Trading, now under Service NSW its less than 48 hours. We can use the business model to transform council and everyone wins.

This is just a snapshot, please visit my website for a detailed explanation and be part of the solution, Vote 1 David Porter

I have been serving the Bega Valley as a Councillor for 13 and a half years.

I have progressed decisions and action in areas of disaster recovery (our Shire was ranked the most impacted local government area in 2020 by the Australian Disaster Resilience Index), youth, the arts, First Nation’s concerns, the environment, suicide prevention, employment, social justice, affordable housing, general wellbeing and I’m committed to encouraging women’s leadership.

I have taken my role as a local government councillor and Deputy Mayor very seriously, listening to and talking with the community.

I am a member of nine committees across the Shire. This is a deliberate approach to ensure I am across a diversity of concerns of the Shire.

A bit about me and what I stand for…
I have NO vested interest.. I am not a member of any Political Party.
Rates Roads and Rubbish are a very real concern to me……
I do believe we should like many other councils have a free pickup of hard rubbish per year. I have seen on many occasions driving through our many forested areas, the appalling sight of dumped hard rubbish. This is damaging to our environments, waterways and it is an eye sore.
Community is of the most importance to me, a strong united community working together for the good of all is our foundation, we will all benefit……
The housing shortage is of grave concern to me..This affects our community in such a negative way, our mental health, our general well being, education to name a few. The negative layers this creates in our community are numerous and varied.
Over the years I have witnessed a massive reduction of services in our town/area i.e..mental health (I have witnessed children suffering anxiety and can NOT get help for months) Community Health, Medicare, Banks, Forestry, National Parks etc. etc.This concerns me..
I know a lot of these decisions are not Council, however I have not witnessed a lot of information and objections from BVSC either.. I believe as a representative of the community councillors need to be far more vocal about the reduction of statutory workers (forestry, fisheries, mental and aged care services etc) to our area.
BVSC to advocate and promote for better management and maintenance of our Waterways, Forests and National Parks. I have seen over the last many many years also a massive reduction in the workforce on the ground in waterways, forestry national parks (just to name a few). This has had a disastrous affect on the environment and our community in recent times. The management of these resources has had negative affect on our sustainable industries…
Reduction of employment in our areas have had a profound affect on our people..Youth employment (apprenteships) general employment, mental health, housing affordability. small business etc.etc. The negative layers of unemployment in our community are many and varied.
I believe that we need to have regular advocacy from our council in regards to the negative factors that affect our community both directly and indirectly.
BVSC needs to work closely with industry, tourism, retail and commercial sector to promote BEST PRACTICE for our community and the environment, also encourage and support must be given to all as we transition to a greener/different economy.
I am concerned about the lack of, over many years of youth infrastructure in my area we have had very little input from BVSC in this field. We do not have basketball or netball courts.(that you can play on safely ) No all abilities play area etc.. I believe this is because we have not had a voice at the table…No community hall, No community meeting place???When I was young we had a Community Hall with regular movie nights, deb balls etc. BVSC had it demolished and it has never been replaced…..
I am very excited with the Barclay Street development however it has been two years now since the disastrous fires, and I would like to see it expedited for our youth and community, I do understand there is a process and it takes time….
Lake Curalo is also a grave concern to me there have been many studies over the years, however no recommendations have been implemented..
I would advocate for more community consultation and transparency also what is BVSC criteria / policy for future priorities projects in reaching the decisions they support.
I would like to see the restoration of respect by, and to the positions held in local government.
I have many and varied views however I feel as a representative of the people for the people, we need to listen to the people and it is very important that their voice is heard…

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