North Coast Voices contacted as many Clarence local government election candidates as was possible and issued an invitation to supply their policy positions for our readers.
Here is the fourth post in this series.
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PETA ROGERS
Peta
Rogers
My name is Peta Rogers
and I am standing for election on September 10 as an Independent Councillor. I have
chosen not to nominate any preferences or do any deals. I will work with whoever
is elected alongside me for the betterment of the Clarence Valley.
I was raised in
Glenreagh and after completing high school in Grafton, I attended university. I
have completed graduate and post-graduate studies in Finance and Investment. Before
having children, my career revolved around the Financial Services Sector, and I
am hoping to use my knowledge to gain a real understanding in regards to
Council’s financial position, why it has occurred and thoroughly investigate
all solutions before the situation becomes irretrievable. The ‘Special’ Rate
Variation is not a long-term solution to debt management.
My motivation in standing
for election has built steadily over the past three years. My own questions
about the unfair rating structure, articles on Special Rate Variations and
whether we are or are not ‘Fit For The Future’, and finally a survey asking me
to rank the ‘Discretionary Assets’ of the Council. But a hall is not a
discretionary asset to a small community? The saleyards are not a discretionary
asset to our Primary Producers? These are not ‘Discretionary Assets’ to the
Clarence Valley.
And from this I realised
that my Council had lost touch with its ratepayers, the Council had stopped
listening to its people? But isn’t the fundamental purpose of a Council, to
serve its ratepayers? To listen…..
My vision for the
Clarence Valley Council includes the election of Councillors that are ready to
work hard and make difficult decisions for our future. A team of Councillors ready
to work cohesively and respectfully of each other for the betterment of the
Valley as a whole.
I would like to see the
Clarence Valley Council known for exceptional corporate governance, of
transparency, accountability and inclusive decision making.
I would like to see
responsible fiscal management leading the Clarence Valley Council towards being
a financially strong Council. The days of spending more than we have must end.
We can’t let ourselves get further into debt for shiny new assets when we are
unable to maintain the ones we have.
This will better
position the Council to be able to serve its Communities more effectively and
efficiently once again, while being able to support the development of
long-term sustainable industry, both new and traditional.
I would like to see our
approach to the Tourism Industry become more aggressive and structured with
‘out-of-the-box’ ideas capturing more of the tourism market for us.
Geographically we should be thriving – located between Brisbane and Sydney,
between the ocean and the mountains – we have everything and the best of it!
My name is Peta Rogers –
I am young, educated and passionate about moving the Clarence Valley in the
right direction.
I ask for your support
on September 10 to do this.
Text and photograph supplied
by Peta Rogers
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RICHIE WILLIAMSON
Richie Willamson
Now
is the time for strong, stable, local, leadership; My Priorities for the next
term are;
Local
Road Funding, Environmental Sustainability, Tourism Services, Economic
Development Planning.
Major improvements to Council road
network, this financial year Council is
investing a record $23 million into maintenance and capital projects on the
network. The current condition of the local roads needs to improve; the next
four years will be critical - Council can provide a much higher level of
service for our residents.
Continue the work that being done
already to make the Clarence Valley’s environment more sustainable,
our Council should continue to invest in programs that lead NSW in waste
management, build on the relationships built with Dirt Girl, put the right
thing in the right bin. Increase the number of solar systems on public
buildings. Continue working on the Coastal Management plans for Brooms Head and
Wooli.
Tourism Services;
with the Pacific Highway project starting Council must now review its tourism
strategy, to ensure we have an understanding of what it means to be a few short
hours from Brisbane and the Gold Coast and encourage them to visit and stay in
the Clarence Valley, ensure signage is correct, make sure we are marketing
ourselves to the correct audience, attract visitors to National Parks, The
Clarence River, Beaches, towns and villages, boating and canoe trails, sporting
events, more river access points and pontoons.
Economic Development;
I will be pushing for a full review of the Clarence Economic Development plan
funded in next year’s budget. The game changer of the Clarence is the Pacific
Highway upgrade, along with the Grafton Jail, Grafton Bridge and the roll out
of the NBN network. The Clarence valley needs to continue the planning for the
“finished” projects now. Plan for the village boom that will be coming for
towns like Ulmarra, Brushgrove, Wooli and Maclean.
The
second stage of the Maclean Riverside precinct plan will be started with a $1.8
million commitment from the Federal Government and the next stage of the
Grafton riverside plan will start in the next term, opening up access to the
might Clarence river is a major draw card for our Valley.
New
playgrounds are being developed in Grafton, Maclean and Yamba and the next
stage of the Iluka walk is planned.
I
have never and will not support the “mega port” proposal for the Clarence
River.
Vote
1 for Richie Williamson to allow the community work to continue.
Text and photograph supplied by Richie Williamson
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Previous posts in the 2016 Clarence Valley local government election candidate profile series:
http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/policy-platforms-of-candidates-in_26.html Ellem P, McKenna, Clancy, Toms
http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/policy-platforms-of-candidates-in_30.html Hagger, Novak, Wells, Baker
http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/2016/09/policy-platforms-of-candidates-in_2.html Hughes, Bates, Tunks, Saunders
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