Belinda Neal, lead candidate, Labor
1/ financial experience
I have had over thirty years’ experience as a board member. I was a Founding Director of
Central Coast Mariners Football Club, the Central Coast icon. I was the Chair of the Finance
and Risk committee responsible to ensure the monitoring of the finances of the organisation
and the audit process. Earlier, I was Director of the Festival Development Corporation
responsible for the establishment and master planning of the Mt Penang Gardens and site. I
have also been a Director on publicly listed companies and a range of other private and NFP
companies including managing the float of Hitech Pty Ltd.
I have also completed a diploma in Economics for Business with Berkley University Online
and I am a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
2/ work experience
I am a lawyer who established my own practice at Erina I am a former Federal Senator
representing NSW and was the Shadow Minister for Housing, Childcare, Status of Women,
Local Government, Consumer Affairs and Assistant Health.
I was the member for Robertson after beating the incumbent Liberal Minister. I achieved a
great deal for the Central Coast including a Regional Cancer Treatment Centre at Gosford.
I was a Gosford City Councillor from 1991-1995 and pioneered among other achievements
the Coastal Open Space System.
3/ community activism or involvement
I have been a community activist since I moved to the coast in 1986. I have undertaken roles
in the Central Coast Community Tenancy Scheme, the Women’s Health Centre, the Woman
Justices Association, Katakuda Women’s Housing Support, the Child Abuse Prevention
Service, Central Coast Women’s Refuges, Peggie’s Promise Pet Rescue, Umina United
Football Club and The Bays Community Group.
I am presently the Chair of You Connect a Not-For-Profit organisation providing disability
Support Services on the Central Coast and a Director of Amnesty International Australia.
4/ What current public causes/issues do you agree with?
I have only been contacted by Wamberal Save Our Sand (SOS) and BUG (Bicycle Users Group) to support their issue. I am happy to support both their proposals.
5/ Why should I vote for you?
I have extensive experience in government, financial control of organisations and I know how
to get things done.
I have already achieved much when I was the Member for Robertson as set out below and will continue to work for the Central
Coast if elected to the Council.
- Community infrastructure to enhance security on the Woy Woy Peninsula
- $3 Million funding for recreational precinct and skate park at Umina oval, adjacent to
- Umina Surf Club
- $81 million to build connecting water pipeline to secure Central Coast Water
- $4.5 million to update water supply infrastructure to improve water quality on the peninsula.
- $840 million to commence the upgrade of the rail freight line running between Sydney and Newcastle and reduce delays in passenger train service.
- $7 million to provide additional commuter parking in Gosford.
- Successful campaign for establishment of Kariong and Mountains High School at Mt Penang
Each of these were achieved because of representations I made on behalf of the community.
Q1/ What’s important to you from the Operational plan’s vision and framework?
Choose three
G3 “Provide leadership that is transparent and accountable, makes decisions in the best
interest of the community, ensures Council is financially sustainable and adheres to a strong audit process.”
During this period of administration of the council, there has been concern within the
community about the council being sustainable and accountable to ratepayers. I what to
closely monitor the financial performance of the council so that this situation does not happen again. I want to rebuild trust by being transparent and open about our decision making and open to discussion with the community.
F2 “Promote greening and ensure the wellbeing of communities through the protection of local bushland, urban trees, tree canopies and expansion of the Coastal Open Space System (COSS).”
The Central coast has a unique and beautiful environment, and I want to preserve that. I
believe the protection and expansion of the COSS. I am also concerned that parts of the open space are under threat from rezoning and sale and I will work to reverse that.
H1 “Solve Road and drainage problem areas and partner with the State Government to
improve road conditions across the region.”
The most common complaint I receive from the community is regarding the quality of the
roads and drainage. I will encourage the council to deliver this core service in a quality and timely manner. Additional support from the state government will allow us to address this more quickly.
Q2/ Which upcoming plans already in the pipeline do you support?
Endorse
I believe that all the studies and projects contained in the list are valuable. I include below
those that I believe are more focused than the others.
1/ Coastal Management Program for Hawkesbury River including Brisbane Waters
2/ Heritage Development Control Plan
3/ Gosford Town Centre – Kibble Park Upgrade Stage 1
Q3/ Do you support keeping the 2021 ten year special rate variation (rate increase) beyond 2031?
Yes or no? NO
Q4/ How would you increase revenue
1/ Negotiate the more profitable contract for sale of recycling material
2/Increase revenue at visitor centres by extending services provided
3/ Ensure commercial entities utilising council facilities or services are paying at least the
cost of that service or facility
Q5/ How would you reduce expenditure
1/Better negotiation and monitoring of all projects sub-contracted outside the council to
ensure costs are contained and quality is delivered.
2/ Savings from the transfer of the Woy Woy CBD commuter carpark to the NSW
government will mean we reduce the expenditure on the upkeep of the carpark
3/ Stop the expenditure on the Wamberal sea wall.
