Sandra Harris, Independent, Budgewoi Ward

1/ financial experience
I have operated a small successful garden maintenance business in my local area for the
last 14 years. The business has no debt and I keep the overheads low to maximise profit
without it affecting my quality competitively priced services.
I’ve also been a solo parent for many years so know all too well what it’s like to keep to a
strict budget to keep our heads above water.

2/ work experience
The last 14 years I have been operating a small garden maintenance business, including
book work and tax returns. I also have experience working in retail and wholesale nurseries.
Poultry processing factory where I was an all rounder could work in most departments
including Quality Assurance and relief leading hand positions when needed.
I also have experience operating and running a photo printing lab/store.
When employed at an establishment I do my best to learn every facet of the business.

3/ community activism or involvement
I’m an active member (7 yrs) of The Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Club Inc (long
running 40+ years). I have recently been re-elected as president for my second year. I’ve
been working along with the other committee members to update and bring up to code.

Currently working on increasing membership.I have held various roles on the committee in
the time I have been a member.
As a teenager I participated in community service at the Toukley senior citizens centre.

4/ What current public causes/issues do you agree with?
Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA)- Kariong Bushland stop to rezoning.
A number of groups including the UDIA, Wamberal SOS, Vision Australia on behalf of
Gosford Bowling Club, MP David Harris on behalf of Warnervale Airport, the Australian
Conservation Foundation, have called for candidates’ support for their causes. Each day a
new group seems to want to know how you stand on particular issues.
Which ones are you prepared to support?

5/ Why should I vote for you?
I may not have corporate or big dollar crunching experience but I have plenty of experience
working on the ground with the people and understand what matters most to them. I come
with loads of integrity and the utmost respect for my fellow community members and
environment. I’m kind, caring and compassionate and promise to do my best to “keep the
bastards honest”.

Q1/ What’s important to you from the Operational plan’s vision and framework?

Choose three

 

1/ E1. I would endorse it. Educating and encouraging community involvement in the caring
for our biodiverse natural areas is of utmost importance due to their uniqueness. Once they
are gone they are gone.
2/ I1. I would modify it. All our drinking water catchments, heritage and rural areas need
preserving and protecting not just those west of the M1. The release of bushland for new
developments needs to be slowed or halted. There are plenty of developed areas that are
vacant and could do with redevelopment.
3/ G2. I would wholeheartedly endorse it. For the council to win back the trust of the
community it needs to provide as much transparency as possible for the community to be
able to make informed decisions.

Q2/ Which upcoming plans already in the pipeline do you support or delete?

Choose three 

Choose three that you endorse and up to three that you would delete, if any.
Endorse
1/ Crown land plan of management.
2/ Development coastal plans (flooding and coastal hazards).
3/ Youth strategy.

Q3/ Do you support keeping the 2021 ten year special rate variation (rate increase) beyond 2031?

No. Many residents are already struggling to pay their rates. Home ownership
could risk declining if rates continue to go up.

Q4/ How would you increase revenue

(Use the operational plan to give three examples)

1/ DP_109 To increase revenue could offer tours of our region to visitors/tourists.
2/
3/

 

Q5/ How would you reduce expenditure 

(Using the same operational plan for examples)

1/ I believe too much money is wasted on external consultancies. Can some of this be done
in-house or even be put to the community.
2/
3/