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City of Sydney Council Elections ’08 - Candidate profiles

With the Council elections just over a month away (September 13), our writers have been interviewing the candidates. We’ll have profiles again next issue writes the South Sydney Herald of August 2008.

Meredith Burgmann, Labor Party Mayoral Candidate by John August

What experience have you had in activity in a local council area?

Meredith Burgmann's claimed strengths originate in past activity against development – as a Glebe/Leichhardt activist and a campaigner against developer contributions within the Labor Party.

"I was arrested for fighting corruption in the then Leichhardt Council, and also while fighting the Green Bans, which I wrote a PhD and book on. I've experience from activism, academia, State Government and Local Government, which I can draw on to support cooperation with other Government arms – rather than just criticise.

What do you think you would add to the leadership of the City Council?

"A major challenge is real accessibility and consultation, which I'm committed to. Clover's inaccessibility is renowned – partly from having two jobs. It's also because "consultation" takes place at the last moment.”

What would you want to change in policies for the City of Sydney?

Meredith's concerns include equity: "While more than half of Sydney Council is south of Cleveland Street, it’s received only one of six infrastructure projects. I'm certainly in favour of Wards – something Clover supported till they became inconvenient. Wards provide geographic representation, and make by-elections much easier.

What do you see as most urgent in the policy areas at the moment?

Equity underlies Meredith's vision for 2030: "The socially and economically vulnerable should not be left behind – services should be provided throughout life. Clover has not provided any Council funded childcare places. It's also important that Council not just make itself carbon efficient, but also help residents and businesses towards that.

Meredith distances herself from Frank Sartor, noting she is in a different faction, with a particular interest in equity and challenging development – but also comments that Clover's economic management is a lot worse than Sartor's. In contrast to Sartor, Clover has downgraded the capital works fund and presided over numerous cost

over-runs.

Chris Harris, Greens Party Mayoral Candidate by Wendy Collis

What do you think you would add to the leadership of the City Council?

As the Lord Mayor I would seek to position the council as a leader in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using the considerable influence and financial clout of the City to form partnerships with other councils.

What experience have you had in activity in a local council area?

I have been a member of local Greens groups for 11 years and have worked on a number of campaigns opposing over-development and preserving public land. I have been a City of Sydney councillor for four-and-a-half years, with one year as Deputy Lord Mayor.

What are the most difficult aspects of working with the City of Sydney just now?

Car use in the City is a serious and growing problem. The noise, congestion and pollution caused by cars and buses detract from the natural beauty and vibrancy of the City.

Councils are also not allowed to require more than BASIX when setting building standards. It would be better if councils could require higher standards to improve our environmental performance.

What is your vision for the City of Sydney 2030? 

As Lord Mayor I would set a vision for goals that can be delivered by Council. Two urgent initiatives include collaboration with other councils to develop a solar thermal power plant that would deliver 100 per cent emission-free energy sufficient for the needs of participating councils, and a system of waste disposal that would divert 100 per cent of waste from landfill. I would also seek to increase energy efficiency by looking for opportunities for tri-generation on sites that Council controls and by lobbying the State Government to allow Council to add suitable conditions to DA approvals on non-council sites deemed suitable for tri-generation.

I would seek to further cut the City's greenhouse gas emissions by limiting parking spaces for cars in new developments and promoting practical measures to increase bicycle use. I would also position the City as a leader in promoting, providing and facilitating affordable housing schemes, either directly or via collaboration with affordable housing cooperatives. 

I want Sydney to be socially inclusive by allocating resources to those from non-English speaking backgrounds and our significant Indigenous community.

Do you support the proposal that councillors look after specific areas (i.e., wards)?

Yes. The ward system is more democratic and allows for genuine independents and a wider diversity of representation. It also enables candidates with few financial resources to compete against the major parties.

Shayne Mallard, Liberal Party Mayoral Candidate by Ellice Mol

What do you think you would add to the leadership of the City Council?

Financial capability and choice. Essentially, there are three very left wing candidates. I am a more conservative mainstream candidate and I am concerned about the finances of the council. We have a global recession descending on us, and Australia won’t be exempt. This administration, under Clover Moore, has been big spending since day one. We will give the council accountability and balance. Without a balanced council, Sydney's financial future is at stake.

What experience have you had in activity in a local council area?

I have been a councillor in Sydney for eight years. I was elected to the City of Sydney Council in 2004.

What are the most difficult aspects of working with the City of Sydney just now?

The most difficult aspects of working with the City of Sydney lie in two areas. One is the Lord Mayor and her political party having total control, so Greens and other parties are excluded from decision making, and second, Clover Moore requires most of the meetings to be held during the day, which makes it very hard for a working person with a family. All of her councillors are self-funded retirees. I’m the youngest at 43 and it’s very much a baby boomer club – difficult for a young person or full time worker.

What is your vision for the City of Sydney?

I don’t subscribe to the agenda of 2030. I’m speaking about today. I think we need to reassert ourselves and rebuild to get back in front. I’m all about getting this city moving forward today. There is too much talk about 2030 and not enough talk about 2009.

Do you support the proposal that councillors look after specific areas (i.e., wards)?

I do support wards, because they are more democratic. The local chamber of commerce can be elected to the council without having to raise the $50,000 or $60,000 required to get on the council. That’s the cost involved in communicating with 100,000 voters.

Source: South Sydney Herald August 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au