What is your number one priority for Coffs City and how do you plan to address it?
The City needs to fully implement the Renewable Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan targets and complete an Adaptation Strategy. The climate emergency provides immense challenge for the Coffs Coast but also many opportunities. The key challenge is coastal inundation associated with sea level changes. Previous Council studies have noted the high likelihood this environmental process will have on our beaches, which will impact tourism, private property and City infrastructure. The risk associated with this can be considered in the short, medium and long term with the most risk associated with insurance, litigation and damage to major infrastructure such as the airport.
How will you build strong relationships between Coffs Harbour City Council and Local businesses?
I would like to see Coffs Harbour become a City of Parks and Gardens with the Jetty Foreshore a world-class parkland that can accommodate low-scale commercial development alongside public infrastructure. The City, then, will have a competitive advantage over other homogenous and undifferentiated modern cities that often undermines a variety of lifestyles.
Where do you stand on, and what will you do to ensure Council adheres to a Go Local First procurement policy?
I can see value in the Go Local First policy in principle and would welcome Council procuring more local businesses in the tender process. Contracting local businesses provides local jobs and economic opportunities that maybe outsourced to businesses from outside of the local government area.
How will you ensure that local business owners have a voice in city planning and decision-making processes?
As a community representative, I am happy to have a discussion with anyone from our business community about planning issues. Small business can play a vital role in the health and well being of our community, and we have many challenges from cost-of living to climate adaptation that require cooperation and collaboration.
Highlight what differentiates you from other candidates and how your leadership will benefit the community?
The climate emergency is our biggest problem as a coastal and regional community, and I am the only candidate taking the issue seriously. The increasing risk of unnatural weather events will keep pushing up the cost-of-living crisis, damage vital infrastructure, deepen social inequality, drive up insurance costs and undermine business confidence, which all lead to greater levels of crime. I have the leadership skills required to be a visionary leader with the ability to educate and inspire.