“Meet the candidate” forum on Tuesday 27 August 2024
Local Council elections were held across NSW on Saturday 14 September 2024. Sutherland Shire Council consists of five wards – A, B, C, D and E. Ward D includes Engadine, Heathcote, Loftus, Waterfall, Woronora Heights, Yarrawarrah, and a small part of both Kirrawee and Sutherland.
On Tuesday 27 August, Engadine Uniting Church, in partnership with Sutherland Shire Voices for Social Justice, hosted a forum which brought Ward D candidates and constituents together, to share policy vision and respond to questions and concerns from local voters.
Light refreshments were available prior to the commencement of the forum, which gave attendees the chance to mingle; old friends greeted each other warmly and introductions were made before the forum commenced at 7:30pm.
The church was at full capacity to hear the views of Labor candidate (and current councillor) Diedree Steinwall, Liberal candidate Meredith Laverty and Independent candidates Dominique Passmore and Mark Christie. After introductions, each candidate was given time to briefly talk about their background, their experience and the areas in which they hoped to make a positive impact if they were successful in their campaign to be elected in the Council elections held on 14 September, 2024.
The attention then turned to question time. Questions which were put forward prior to the evening, as well as some which were submitted during the forum, were read out, and then all candidates had the opportunity to provide a response. The questions covered topics including tree canopy cover, affordable housing of all types, koalas, flood management, homelessness, overdevelopment, climate, pollution, accountability and transparency, nuclear power stations, the capital works budget for the Shire, renewable energy, and the environment and sustainability sub-committee.
Notably, of the 54 concerns or questions lodged beforehand or on the night, one-third were about affordable housing and one-fifth were about overdevelopment. One-sixth of comments or questions addressed the tree canopy, and slightly more were about broader environmental concerns including climate change mitigation and adaptation. One-eighth were dissatisfied with the transparency and accountability of the council to the residents and ratepayers. Several people nominated more than one concern.
After the formal part of the evening concluded, supper was served in the adjoining hall, which gave candidates and voters a further opportunity to meet and discuss areas of interest.
We thank the candidates for their time, and also acknowledge the work required prior to the event and on the evening in order for this forum to take place.
Recent Comments