Louise Greenaway – independent
I want to see positive change on Council.
I strongly believe that Council records about expenditure and decision-making should be readily available to the public. At the very least, this would enable “irregularities” to be identified early, and would be a key tool in preventing rorts and corruption.
Many council decisions don’t make sense to us but this is because we do not know the full story. And we have the right to know the full story.
To me, it is simple: Councils are public institutions, their records should be open to the public. I would like to expose the deception and change the culture of secrecy.
There are sporting fields, libraries, parks and community centres, crying out for maintenance or refurbishment yet Council cries poor.
It is these community facilities that are so important to residents and that are so crucial to strengthening social ties, that I feel we need to keep. In addition we need to create and implement a Disability Inclusion Plan for the Coast.
Tied in with the issue of refocusing on the community is making sure the community has a voice. Many of us have had extremely negative experiences dealing with both the former Wyong and Gosford Councils. We have seen our local precinct committees disbanded, our submissions ignored, our needs over-ridden. It is alarming to see the degree of disrespect and deception shown to ratepayers.
While out door-knocking, residents have repeatedly told me that they want decent roads as well as footpaths and drainage. They tell me that they don’t want their rates spent on so-called “visionary projects” like Chappypie Chinese Theme Park. They don’t want to continue to fund Warnervale Airport which is wasting millions of our ratepayer dollars.
People with all sorts of mobility issues are calling for more footpaths. “Mobility issues” does include disability but can also include families with prams or children on pushbikes who are forced onto the roads. It is infuriating that millions of dollars have been spent on non-viable projects at the expense of basic services for residents.
Chris Burke – Liberal Party
There is also no excuse for the present parking crisis. I propose to make more parking a budget priority for the Central Coast Council.Wyong has potential to expand on its civil, administrative, residential, commercial and cultural roles, alongside Warnervale which could expand to service new communities.I have extensive business and Council experience in Gosford Local Government Area, and I want to help work to bring Council rates under control. I want to ensure that we as residents get real value for our rates. This includes developing our northern growth corridor.I have been a Gosford Councillor for two terms, 8 years, and am an active community worker and have a reputation for honesty and integrity. Put simply – this is the most important Council Election in the history of the Central Coast and I will work hard as a strong Liberal representative.
