Clover Moore – Independent - Mayoral Candidate

What most attracts you to being a leader in local government?

After 20 years in State Parliament, Clover Moore still has a special attraction to the local government area. She loves the capacity of local government to make very direct changes to people’s lives, their environment for living and their resources. She has had 260 meetings with community groups in her term of office. Clover also believes that the large cities of the world have both a responsibility and capacity to make a difference in terms of carbon emissions. This is why, on behalf of the City of Sydney, she became part of the C40’s group initiated by London and, with the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, formed a national Lord Mayors’ Forum which would relate directly to the Federal Government on some issues.

What do you think you would add to the leadership of the City Council if you were there for another term?

Clover wants to continue with the 900 projects around the Villages concept of the City, 370 of which have been carried out, and also improved services in general. She has the 2030 Vision firmly before her as the big picture for future action.

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

She wants to continue to improve homeless services, which she states are the best of any city in Australia, and to hold the focus on reducing carbon emissions.

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

She hates party-politicking – which is why she is an Independent. She also believes that large cities do not get enough government funding, given their major responsibilities.

What are your main dreams for the future of the City of Sydney?

Apart from the 2030 Vision, Clover is interested in many arts projects – artists studios in old buildings like The Tabernacle, the evolving of creative art in the small bars around the city and the “clay horses” project for the residents of Erskineville.

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

She believes that affordable housing, green issues and holding a global view of life in the city are priorities.

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