Integrity. Experience. Commitment.
WHY I'M
A COUNCILLOR
WHY I'M A COUNCILLOR
I ran for Devonport City Council because I believe in the opportunities this city can and should offer the next generation.
Devonport is one of the most livable cities in the state, but we can do more in terms of growing our CBD rate base, building our events calendar, supporting community groups and delivering more for less to ease the growth of council rates.
While I'm very growth centric, I have also advocated strongly for our unique coastal reserves to be excluded from development - as the city's population increases over the next few decades, these pockets of natural reserve so close to the city will become integral to our health and wellbeing, and unique to Devonport.
Having completed my first four years on council as Deputy Mayor, I have advocated hard for more density in our urban spaces so we preserve our productive agricultural land and tap into existing service infrastructure. Lat year I put up a motion to develop the council owned air space above the Formby Road carpark which can bring over 200 office workers into the CBD to support local businesses. I've also put forward motions for medium density housing and modular housing in or near the CBD core. Its not rocket science, we can't keep replacing aging Hydro homes with another three bedroom house, and we aren't making any more land.
As a long time member of the DCCI, I did a lot of work when I became President advocating for the Living City Master Plan so we could grow our city, while preserving what makes it special. My time on the Cradle Coast Authority gave me a regional perspective and how Devonport, as one of the busiest ports in the state, plays an integral role in regional growth. I look forward to continuing to work with both the DCCI and the CCA in the next term to push forward a growth agenda for Devonport.
As the city grows, I believe its really important to showcase our history, and any new developments moving forward must have a sense of place and add to the city’s story. The paranaple centre is a magnificent building, but it would look equally at home in Paramatta or Geelong – I would like future civic assets to showcase our community more, whether that’s by using more local products such as timber or intertwining local history in the fitout.
I also think the Living City Master Plan is a document we need to keep refining and adding to. While it was controversial at times, we’re all used to change now and we can’t rest of our laurels. The success of Living City can continue for generations to come, and with population growth, how we use the opportunities that brings, needs to be carefully thought through and managed. For example, how do we maximise increased visitation from the larger Spirits? How do we ensure the city is attractive to critical workforce sectors? There’s no right or wrong answer, but local government needs to take a proactive role in finding out what the community wants and ensuring there’s a long term plan in place to deliver it. As the saying goes, If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail.
Finally, I think the best thing local government can do for the community is to support those at the front line – the sporting clubs, the community groups, the volunteers and the carers. I've spent many years being a carer myself and I'm also on the Financial Assistance Working Group to ensure much needed funds are getting out to the community. We’ve always had great community spirit, and as the city grows we need to ensure this is always reflected in local government policy.
As Deputy Mayor I also see my role as providing support to my fellow councillors and the Mayor to ensure a very ambitious program of works and events is delivered seamlessly during the current local government term.
