An e-mail from the Dunoon Gazette was sent out to all Lismore City Councillors and independant parties running in this year’s council elections inviting them to send in a synopsis of what they stand for and what they hope to achieve for the people of the Lismore shire during the next 4 years - especially our rural community. Those candidates that don’t appear on these pages didn’t bother to answer.

Jenny Dowell - Listening and Leading

I am Jenny Dowell, a Lismore Councillor seeking re-election on September 13. In standing for election to be Lismore’s new Mayor, I am committed to delivering the leadership that our community deserves both for the present and for the challenges of the future.
Leadership involves always remembering that we are elected to represent the best interests of our whole community. It also means listening to the concerns and ideas of the people we serve and making decisions that are well-considered and for which we are accountable.
Since moving here 17 years ago, I have been actively involved in volunteering and in my career as a teacher of deaf children. After retiring from paid work, I have been able to devote more than 50 hours per week to my role as a Councillor.
I am a member of the Labor Party and have a committed and skilled team supporting my candidacy. We have a strong policy within the framework of Council’s Strategic Plan and is built on these principles:
1. Being financially responsible.
2. Consulting the community
3. Making informed decisions.
4. Working cooperatively in the best interests of Lismore.
For more information on my team and our policies visit www.jennydowell.com.au or contact Jenny on info@jennydowell.com.au
6625 2206, 0402 651 394

Graham Meineke

I have assembled a team of long term residents of the City who care for, and love Lismore. The majority of the team members run their own small businesses so they value the advantages that come from the City’s development. The philosophy of the team is to strengthen Lismore as the Regional Capital of the Northern Rivers. The team’s underlying platform is: ‘Responsible Development’, ie to evaluate future development of the City from all aspects including environmental impact, community impact and economic impact (in no particular order).
Environmental impact includes ‘direct’ impacts (pollution of waterways for example) as well as ‘indirect’ such as encouraging the use of public transport. Community impact includes issues such as ‘incompatible’ development in areas that already have a defined character. Economic impacts include the creation of jobs and/or wealth for Lismore.
It is only through the continued development of Lismore that we will generate employment for our residents, children, and grand children. .
My team of independents will represent Lismore’s population in promoting smart growth and creating change that makes Lismore a place that is worthy of our affection.
We will take ‘Lismore Confidently into the Future.’

Simon Clough - Our Sustainable Future Party

The‘Our Sustainable Future’ (OSF) party was formed in response to the lack of action shown by the current Lismore City Councillors to the emerging challenges arising from the increasing cost of petrol, its flow on effects and climate change. OSF has developed a range of policies related to the three major areas of challenge: social cohesion, transport and land-use planning, and food affordability.
Our medium to long term land-use vision is for a walkable/cycle able urban area within Lismore containing approximately half a dozen consolidated commercial/transport hubs incorporating medium density accommodation and served by regular, affordable public transport. Rural areas will be based around our villages (with affordable outlets for all of life’s basic necessities) linked to Lismore by reliable public transport and a Council supported, web-based car-pool system. Rural residential development will be a thing of the past because of the limitations of our road system, the impacts of climate change and fuel rises and because Council simply can’t afford to develop necessary facilities.
Given the seemingly unstoppable rise of petrol prices we want a rail service from Casino to Murwillumbah and eventually Coolangatta/Brisbane. On a similar note: let’s not swap our unique roundabouts for unnecessary traffic lights!
In contrast to the constant price rises of the current supermarket-dominated food system which has “fresh” food travelling thousands of kilometres, we will promote grass roots enterprises like community gardens, food co-ops, and farmers markets. Planning protection will be given to flood-free near urban sites with fertile soil and harvestable water in anticipation of a need for more localised food production.
We can’t afford Council’s business-as-usual approach to these important questions.

David Yarnall - Roads and Services Action Party

Much of the 13,000kms of council maintained roads are in poor shape and audits show that the network is deteriorating faster than it is being repaired. If elected we will ensure that sufficient funds are available to provide much needed road maintenance. We believe that Council can and must do more to develop an integrated traffic management system to include all forms of transport. We will examine all public transport options with a view to encouraging private businesses and state Government departments to provide public transport.
It will cost $6 million to replace the round-a-bouts and install traffic lights in Lismore CBD. This is a waste of ratepayer’s money. We will call for more cost effective and pedestrian friendly options.
We will encourage sustainable economic growth for Lismore’s future and that of its surrounding villages by fostering new and existing small businesses. We will consult with businesses, business organisations and government departments with a view to introducing policies to encourage steady growth and employment.
Poor management in the past has led to poor decision making. We will review council processes in regard to budget, urban and rural development strategy, environment strategy and waste water management.
We want council to listen to the residents and ratepayers. We want to be your voice on council.