What is your working background?
Prior to being elected as a Councillor in 2020, I worked in health administration at Eden Private Hospital in Cooroy for nearly a decade and before that was involved with the Gynaecological Cancer Society providing support to people diagnosed with cancer.
Why are you running for Council?
A central commitment in my re-election campaign is that our Council needs to listen to the community and provide them with opportunities to have their voices heard. By working together, we can maintain our pristine natural environment and provide the foundations for our community to thrive.
What qualifies you to be Councillor?
I have been involved in community building in Noosa Shire for nearly 40 years and over the last four years have demonstrated my credentials as a councillor who is independent and puts the people first. These experiences give me a unique perspective on how we can foster a good understanding between government and community.
Are you a member of a political party? If so, which one?
I have no political party membership and am proud to be an independent representative for Noosa Shire.
What organisations in Noosa are you a member of or affiliated with?
For many years I have been involved with the Tall Trees Art Festival and have recently served as a committee member for Noosa Open Studios and as a founding member of the Women’s Collaborative Network Noosa. I am also a paid-up member of the Majestic Theatre and Noosa Museum.
If elected, will you be undertaking any other paid employment? If so, what would that be?
I know other councillors have divided their time between several jobs, but my full-time focus has been – and will continue to be – on Noosa Shire.
List the four top Council issues you believe to be the most important to Noosa residents.
The natural environment is at the heart of what makes Noosa unique and must be preserved and allowed to flourish – it is central to the local community and economy, and we can enhance all three in a way that is complementary and in line with Noosa’s values.
Housing affordability is an enormous, complex issue that is impacting individuals, communities and businesses. Addressing this requires collaboration across all levels of government and we must consider innovative public interventions.
Equity in the delivery of public services needs to be closely examined to ensure benefits are spread across the Shire: from the hinterland to the coast and everywhere in between. Governments must allocate resources to provide public services that lift up those most in need.
Transport and connectivity that is safe and efficient is vital for everyone – whether it’s the school run, getting to work or going to the shops. We need to look at opportunities to improve the road network by sealing roads, addressing dangerous intersections and alleviating bottlenecks, as well as progressing the transport management plan to make incremental improvements to Hastings Street congestion.
