A regular feature, this month we have interviewed two Councillors from New South Wales.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Sydney City Council, New South Wales
Q. How long have you been Councillor?
I have served six years as an Independent Councillor on Sydney City Council and one year on South Sydney Council and I was elected Lord Mayor this year.
Q. Tell us about yourself ?
I am married and live with my family in Redfern. I was formerly a high school/TAFE teacher and I have an Arts Degree and a Diploma of Education from Sydney University. My husband, Peter, is an architect and my children, Sophie and Tom, attended primary school in Surry Hills and Paddington, and Sydney girls and Sydney Boys High Schools. They are now enrolled at Sydney and NSW universities. I have also been New South Wales State Member for Bligh since 1988. I held the balance of power in the State with fellow independent John Hatton and Peter Macdonald for three years, forcing parliamentary and political reform, including fixed four year parliamentary terms.
Q. Which issues do you feel passionate about?
I believe further changes to inner city Councils could provide improved local governance, service provision and democracy. The set of current reforms are driven by vested political interests, without real democratic intent or benefit. I think the report from Professor Sproats in 2001 is currently the only proposal with any legitimacy in independence, community consultation and genuine reform. If that report is to be anything other than a waste of taxpayers’ time and money, it should provide the genuine basis for further consultation and planned reform. Inner city boundary changes in 1968, 1981, 1988 and 2003 generally sought political advantage in one area at the expense of others. The changes were disruptive and destabilising. I aim to work with the local Councils and the Local Government Minister to promote reform that goes beyond boundary changes to improve the quality of representation and services; Councils that remain financially viable without massive rate increases; basic services, such as cleaning and wast collection, continued and improved; community services, particularly for people in serious need, not reduced; reasonable and equitable levels of elected representation maintained. Changes that are planned to minimise disruption and instability.
Q. What are the most important issues in your Local Government area?
Inner Sydney urgently needs an integrated traffic and transport strategy to develop and implement environmentally sustainable solutions to traffic chaos. I support an Integrated Traffic and Transport Strategy for inner Sydney with public transport services that are regular, reliable, adequate, safe and clean. I would like to see pedestrian networks that are safe, accessible and pleasant to use, including safe, dedicated local cycleways linked to a comprehensive metropolitan network. It is a public transport only policy for access to sporting and entertainment venues. There is also need for high volume public transport system (light rail) for inner Sydney and Moore Park. I also want a total ban on car parking on our parklands to return our open space for recreation.
Mayor Warren Polglase, Tweed Shire Council, New South Wales
Q. How long have you been a Councillor?
I have been re-elected for my third term as mayor of Tweed Shire Council having topped the poll with 6,900 votes at the recent elections. First elected to Council almost 13 years ago, I arrived on the Tweed with already two years as Deputy Mayor of Murray Shire Council and seven years as a Councillor under my belt.
Q. Tell us about yourself and your involvement in the community?
Some of my previous occupations have been caravan park operator, stock and station agent, hotelier, and a wheat, sheep, pig and rice farmer. Prior to my retirement my wife and I operated two caravan parks in the area. We retain diverse business interests in the Tweed. My wife, Karlene, is very involved with charity and organises a Christmas Day luncheon for the lonely or needy. We have two adult children and four grandchildren.
Q. Describe your community
The Tweed is one of the fastest growing areas in the State. It offers a fantastic lifestyle and is attracting a large number of people to the area mainly for lifestyle reasons. It has world heritage listed national parks, pristine waterways and 40 kms of unspoilt beaches. At the same time, it is close to the Gold Coast and Brisbane. We also have a large proportion of people over 65 years of age. This is estimated at 23 per cent.
Q. What are the most important issues in your Local Government area?
Lifestyle opportunities and how to offer a variety of these while retaining the beauty of the area. A new freeway has opened up the area, but issues such as the proposed closure of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail service raise concerns. We are close to the Gold Coast but aspire to a different style of development.
Q. What are the key aspects to being a good Councillor?
Having an understanding and accessing the community’s needs and being able to interpret how best to serve those needs.
Q. What major developments are currently taking place in Tweed Shire?
Major developments valued in excess of $1 billion include Salt and Peppers Resort, and the development of Tweed Heads Central Business District and Twin Towns Resort.
