Independent Team Announcement Marks Independents’ Day
Clover Moore Independent Team
Friday, 4 July 2008
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Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP today announced a team of Independent candidates for the City of Sydney Council elections in September 2008.
“I am standing again as Lord Mayor with an experienced and dedicated team to continue providing Independent City leadership that is effective, consultative, progressive and visionary,” Ms Moore said.
“The Clover Moore Independent Team has a strong record of achievement and will deliver on Sustainable Sydney 2030, the vision developed with residents, business and visitors. There’s no secret to our success: it involves hard work and consultation to achieve practical results.
Crs John McInerney, Marcelle Hoff and Phillip Black are seeking re-election as Clover Moore Independent Team Councillors. They are joined by Di Tornai, Vice-Chair of the Victoria Park Community Group; Robert Kok, Chair of the City's Chinese New Year Festival Committee; Andrew Duckmanton, President of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership; John Wardle, musician and strategist of the successful "Raise the Bar" campaign; and Dr Lesley Lynch, long-time Glebe resident, public sector educator, feminist and civil libertarian.
This enthusiastic and experienced team combines expertise in planning, law, business, advocacy, community service and the arts, reflecting the City's diverse needs and communities.
“This is a critical election if we are to maintain the momentum and consensus for positive change that has been developed over the past four years,” Ms Moore said.
“Our Independent Team has shown what can be achieved for the City. Over the past four years, we’ve unified the amalgamated city, establishing a firm foundation for the future by creating a Council organisation that is well managed, financially prudent and engaged with our diverse residential, business, worker and visitor communities.
“We have created stunning new facilities and open space—such as the Seidler designed Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo; Harmony Park in Surry Hills; the Glebe Foreshore Walk and Sydney Park. Other world-class projects are nearing completion on former languishing sites—Redfern Park and oval; Paddington Reservoir Gardens; the Water Police site park in Pyrmont; Burton Street Tabernacle in East Sydney; Orphan School Creek at Forest Lodge; and the Richard Francis Jones designed Surry Hills Library and Community Centre.
“Our City parks and public domain are looking more loved and cared for, with more than 32 local parks upgraded; more than 5000 street trees planted; at least 3000 square metres of gardens and traffic islands planted each year; and 2000 redundant signs and poles removed.
“We had extensive Local Action Plan consultations to involve our communities in setting directions for local neighbourhoods and honouring our City of Villages commitments. Out of 900 priorities set by our local communities, 319 are complete with a further 571 underway.
“For people with special needs, we’ve increased community grants; strengthened homeless, aged and disability support; expanded childcare, and employed a public housing liaison officer.
“We’ve supported the City’s cultural life through local festivals and keynote events such as Sydney Festival, First Night, Art and About, Sydney Writers Festival, Sydney Film Festival, the Biennale, Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year, Live Green, Primo Italiano and the Danks Street festival.
“We have expanded community consultation and involvement, improved customer service and overhauled access to information. We’ve held 280 meetings, 73 community forums and 89 separate consultations to develop Sustainable Sydney 2030.
“We’ve increased protection for our living environment with better heritage and planning controls. Through our Design Advisory Panel and Public Art advisory Panel we access independent advice from eminent practitioners to help achieve design excellence in public and private projects.
“On the environmental front, we’ve made real progress by cutting water use in City parks, pools, depots and offices; being Australia’s first carbon-neutral council and beginning construction on the first separated cycleway in the CBD.
“The City has unanimously endorsed Sustainable Sydney 2030, the vision we’ve developed with Sydney residents, business and visitors to overcome the tragic legacy of ad hoc planning, and secure Sydney’s future as a vibrant, economically thriving and sustainable city.
“The driver of our vision is environmental sustainability, responding to the overwhelming 97 percent of people surveyed who said they wanted us to address global warming. 2030 will position Sydney as one of the world’s leading green cities addressing global warming.
“It’s a critical time for our City and our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision responds to vital future challenges for a green, global and connected city. These carefully consulted and developed plans articulate our commitment to city communities,” Ms Moore said.
While introducing her new team to contest the election, Ms Moore also thanked Clr Robyn Kemmis who will not contest the upcoming election.
“When the State Labor Government sacked and crashed together the former Councils in 2004, Clr Kemmis joined the Independent Team to reclaim our City from the attempted political takeover,” Ms Moore said.
“I thank Robyn for her years of active public service and dedication. Her administrative expertise and commitment to community participation were vital in establishing the direction of the new Council.
“While Robyn will be missed by Councillors and the community, the Independent Team of candidates brings a breadth of expertise and knowledge to the progressive, consultative and responsible management of our City,” Ms Moore said.
Meet the Clover Moore Independent Team.
Related information: | Clover Moore Independent Team | Introducing the Clover Moore Independent Team | Media |