Joy Cooper, second on the ticket
1/ financial experience
I have undertaken a number of courses which have finance included as part of their components. I have also completed an Advanced Certificate in Business. I am also aware of the commissioner’s recommendations and am happy to undertake further financial training which was a recommendation by the commissioner as soon as practicable.
2/ work experience
I have a diverse professional background. I have worked as a teacher, teaching in various public high schools across the Central Coast, as well as having worked in general real estate and as a consultant for the largest building company at the time in Australia. While I have held Auctioneer, Stock and Station and Real Estate licenses, I am no longer licensed. I am currently retired.
3/ community activism or involvement
I was part of the Springfield Quarry Group that successfully stopped concrete crushing and bitumen recycling close to a community area, I have been an integral part of the Save Winney Bay campaign, the Operation Soap in Public Toilets, and the Stop the Sell off of Community Land, as well as the Save Austin Butler campaign which bought more than 12 community groups together.
I have spoken many, many times at council meetings speaking against the special rate variation and the fire sales of community land. I created the change dot org petition to stop the demolition of the Gosford Library building and have well over 2000 signatures which is far more engagement that the current council ‘consultation’.
I have also been on the Protection of Environment Trust (POET), the Mangrove Mountain and Spencer Advisory Committee and the Gosford CBD and Waterfront Advisory Committee. I have also been a member of the Australian Conservation Foundation Central Coast Group and Community Environment Network (CEN).
4/ What current public causes/issues do you agree with?
Currently many residents don’t feel they have a voice.
I listened first hand to many community people who spoke at the Public hearing against the reclassification of the Gosford Bowling Club. The people that spoke at that meeting moved me deeply and I raised the concerns a number of times in the following weeks with other residents. I certainly listened and shared the concerns of those residents with others after that meeting. Sadly the administrator did not listen. I am aware there is a blow out with times it takes ‘mums and dads’ to get a new home or extension approved: this has to improve.
5/ Why should I vote for you?
For over seven years, I’ve been a dedicated advocate for our community, attending countless council meetings, public hearings, and community consultations. I’ve witnessed firsthand the disconnect between residents and the council, and I’m determined to change that.
I’ve helped countless residents find their voice and address their concerns. Whether it’s organising petitions, negotiating with council representatives, or simply listening to their stories, I’ve always been committed to representing their interests.
I believe that our community deserves a council that truly listens and acts on behalf of its residents. I have a deep understanding of our needs and aspirations, and I’m ready to lead the charge in creating a more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future for us all.
Questions from the Operational Plan
Q1/ What’s important to you from the Operational plan’s vision and framework?
C3 Facilitate economic development to increase local employment opportunities and provide a range of jobs for all residents.
E2 Improve water quality for beaches, lakes, and waterways including minimising pollutants and preventing litter entering our waterways.
G2 Engage and communicate openly and honestly with the community to build a relationship based on trust, transparency, respect and use community participation and feedback to inform decision making.
Selecting 3 of 48 points is not easy.
I have taken into consideration what other councillors would select and tried to consider points which I see as important, yet other councillors may not select. I would endorse these 3 points.
Q2/ Which upcoming plans already in the pipeline do you support?
1/ I would like to know more about the Colongra Bay – Boat Ramp and Foreshore Upgrade The Northern area of the Central Coast needs more focus.
2/ Public Toilets – Renewal program having been part of the Operation Soap In Public Toilets I’ve probably looked at more public toilets than most on the Central Coast. It is clear there needs to be upgrades of our public toilets and they need to be aesthetic and identifiable from the outside and functional and sturdy inside. Toilets should also be designed to be easy and quick to clean and functional for those less abled and those which children.
3/Bike Plan and Pedestrian Access Mobility Plan– One thing which has surprised me when speaking to people in the community are the number of people concerned or unable to walk on their footpath to local shops or to the local public school. I look forward to drilling down further into this plan and ensuring we focus on increasing bike paths and pedestrian walkways in our suburbs so residents can benefit everyday and not have to walk on the road to get to the local shops or school.
While these are the projects I have selected they are not finite with my interest.
Which projects would I delete?
Before considering deleting any upcoming plans I would like to have more information on the projects.
Q3/ Do you support keeping the 2021 ten year special rate variation (rate increase) beyond 2031?
Firstly I am a rate payer and I am one of the few people that spoke at the council meeting against the Special Rate Variation (SRV).
It is my understanding that the figures published by the administrator assume the extension of the SRV. I do not agree with extending the SRV beyond 2031.
Q4/ How would you increase revenue?
1/ We have a number of community buildings which are not used to their full potential. Kincumba mud brick building for example is one of these buildings. There are many other public (council) buildings which could create an income for council if their hire was better marketed. St Barnabus Church is another. (Yes, the council owns a church).
2/ It is my belief there is a desperate need to review developer contributions as currently there are suburbs across the Central Coast where there are no developer contributions. Developer contributions are needed to provide infrastructure for the community that will live in those developments when completed.
3/ I would expect revenue could be increased by a budgeting review process of each directorate supervised by the general manager. However this is an operational matter.
Q5/ How would you reduce expenditure
1/ I have been continually surprised with the number of council buildings which have lights on all night. These buildings do not have people working in them and there is no need for the lights to be left on. I acknowledge this is a small step, however when you realise how many council buildings and even public toilets in the day that have lights on when there is no need to be a light on, it certainly is a step in the right direction.
2/ Residents often see council waste. I’d like to hear from residents the council waste they see. We could have a ‘Waste Watch’ programme introduced which would allow a much bigger focus on reduction of expenditure.
3/ Council currently rent out shop fronts and at the same time have council owned buildings vacant. This has to change.
4/ There also needs to be an ongoing continuous review of overhead expenditure with a view to reducing or eliminating unnecessary overhead costs.
