The 2021 NSW Local Government elections are on this Saturday 4 December, and Queanbeyan-Palerang residents will go to the polls to decide who will form their next local government.
Eleven councillors will be elected to the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council (QPRC). More than 70 candidates are running – 67 in nine groups, and four ungrouped candidates. Canberra Daily spoke to the major players to find out what their policies are, and why Queanbeyan-Palerang residents should vote for them.
Here are groups A – D. You can find profiles on the other groups here and ungrouped candidates here.
Group A: The Greens (7 candidates)
“I’m seeking election on behalf of the Greens to help drive the changes we need to create a fair, safe, and sustainable future for everyone,” says lead candidate Katrina Willis. “I will also work for genuine consultation and greater accountability.
“At this election, we have a chance for genuine and positive change. The Greens have delivered improvements for local communities on dozens of councils across NSW. We are committed to local participation and putting community interests ahead of vested interests.”
The Greens’ priorities for this election are to do more to address climate change, including sustainable transport, better design and building rules, and prepare for emergencies; to protect the local environment and create more opportunities for people to enjoy them; to prioritise community needs like affordable housing and community transport; and more accountable and transparent decision-making.
“Our council needs to do more to address climate change and prepare for future emergencies,” Ms Willis said. “The Greens will seek stronger emission reduction targets and measures to achieve them. Council’s financial situation is vulnerable, with rate rises of 27.8 per cent proposed over three years. We will seek a review of revenue and expenditure, and ensure that rates and charges are fair and sustainable. We will also seek a local housing strategy to support more affordable housing and crisis accommodation.”
Ms Willis worked as a journalist, reporting on local council, state politics and the Australian Parliament, and as a policy and media advisor to Greens senators. She has worked on environmental policy, engagement, and communications in the Australian Public Service for 17 years.
She has been actively involved in local issues, working for climate action and protecting the environment for more than a decade. Most recently, she served on the council’s Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee. She is convenor of the Queanbeyan Sustainability Group, and active in her local Landcare group.
For more information, visit Queanbeyan-Palerang – Greens on Council.
Group B: Independent (7 candidates)
Group B are local small business operators, tradespeople and community advocates who want to break the mould on council delivery and affordability.
“A vote for Group B is a vote for a forensic examination of Council,” says lead candidate Mareeta Grundy. “My platform is essentially about raising the bar and setting higher standards for QPRC on every level.”
Ms Grundy said there was a common sentiment that while Council had achieved some good, it was time for QPRC to refocus and reform.
“Residents are tired of the relentless revenue raising culture, non-response to enquiries, protracted delays on applications, and the marketing spin.
“This election gives us all the opportunity to hit the reset button on QPRC, so that people feel listened to and valued, and we are not brought to our knees with debit and rates rises.
“I’m running for Council because I want to bring much needed pragmatism and a resolve to push hard for reform, so we all can feel confident that our future is affordable and secure.
A resident of Bywong for over 25 years, with family in Queanbeyan and Carwoola, Ms Grundy has worked in the health sector in coronary care and cancer wards, at the AIS, with the Raiders, Defence, corporates and government, and run a small business.
“I know my way around strong personalities, negotiation tables, tight budgets, and the practicalities of life.”
Affordable delivery is one of the biggest challenges facing Queanbeyan Palerang, Ms Grundy believes. “We cover a vast area with multiple population centres, thousands of kilometres of roads, significant infrastructure, and a heavy reliance on State government funding grants. We can’t afford to simply keep doing things the way we have been.”
Group B will seek an Independent Review to identify how the newly amalgamated Council can best serve residents’ interests, and drive proper efficiency reforms.
They propose greater cost effectiveness and accountability, intelligent coordinated development, a consistent transparent approach to heritage, essential services before gold plated extras, and a new standard of customer service and community consultation. They promise to better support business, local jobs, and apprenticeships by streamlining red tape and fast tracking decisions; to prioritise traffic bottlenecks and regional roads, and take back the main street of Queanbeyan from heavy duty transport so the area is safe and vibrant again; and to reduce rate rise pressure with efficiency reforms.
“Group B is offering a pragmatic plan to head off the current trajectory of debt accumulation and exponential rate rises. It’s a vision for affordable and equitable delivery where no one is left behind, lifestyles are protected, and our future is prosperous and sustainable.”
Ms Grundy was a candidate in the 2017 election. She is a member of the National Party, but is not endorsed by them. (The National Party has a solid principle not to run candidates in local government elections because they wish to respect the autonomy of local government, Ms Grundy said.)
For more information, visit QPRC Group B Independents | Facebook.
Group C: Independent (6 candidates)
Lead candidate Margot Sachse is president of the Jerrabombera Residents’ Association (JRA).
“I have a proven track record as a leader in my community of Jerrabomberra. I will bring new energy and a fresh approach to the whole electorate.”
Her party stands for ‘From Community for Community’. Their policies are:
• Connecting Communities – creating new opportunities and events to share the variety and uniqueness of our rural communities, to bring communities closer together and to support economic development though sustainable regional tourism.
• Honest, open, and responsible financial management.
• Providing better connections between regional towns and the ACT. Improving the standards of maintenance of our local roads, finding a solution to the Red Rooster roundabout intersection, and getting Dunn’s Creek Road “shovel ready” are also priorities.
• Preserving the region’s unique city living, country lifestyle while supporting future growth.
• Providing better parks, playgrounds, a cinema, and sports facilities for the entire community. Making the development of the Regional Sports precinct a priority.
Financial management is a major issue; the new Council will have to address the proposed Special Rates Variation. If elected, Ms Sachse promises to include all the community from all parts of the electorate in the process, so her decision is fair and reasonable for everyone.
Residents in the previous Palerang region feel they are not represented in the current merged Council. Ms Sachse promises to ensure a close cohesion with all the country and city communities.
Ms Sachse has been an active member of the JRA for 20 years, including 11 as president, and worked with all Federal, State, and local members.
“I believe that I can transfer my skills to the local government level to effectively work for the whole Queanbeyan-Palerang region,” she said. “I am proudly independent and pride myself on being able to work with everyone to achieve the best outcome for our community.”
She represents the JRA on the Canberra Airport Community Aviation Consultation Forum. After a lengthy career in the public service in Fisheries Research and Management, she joined her husband in their family business, Brandnet Pty Ltd, in 2009 as business administration and later finance manager. She has two sons.
For more information, visit MargotSachse.
Group D: Independent (10 candidates)
Group D is led by former Queanbeyan deputy mayor Steve Taskovski. As a local in the community for more than 50 years, and a councillor for almost 25 (1983–2008), Mr Taskovski says:
“I can bring plenty of experience to the newly elected QPRC, and ensure that it is not just Queanbeyan based but for the region as a whole.
“I stand for the community, I stand for the region, not just a selection.”
Mr Taskovski promises to ensure the council is more efficient and professional. “If a member of the community calls, we need to support them, not turn them away.”
He also believes the process for people submitting Development Applications is poorly run; this should be a quicker process, and people should not wait several months to get a shed approved.
Mr Taskovski also promises to upgrade and maintain facilities and recreational areas; to continue to support the QPRC to attract new business to the region; to increase capital works program, especially relating to road maintenance; and to fight to keep rates low.
“I love my community, and I would love to see it blossom once more.”
Mr Taskovski is a real estate agent, a Justice of the Peace, former Commissioner of Ethnic Affairs NSW, served as a board member of Southern Tablelands electricity, and Chairman of the ACT soccer federation.
For more information, visit Steve Taskovski QPRC Independent Candidate | Facebook
Group E: Independent (WITHDRAWN)
Group E was led by Karuna Bajracharya, from Braidwood. Mr Bajracharya withdrew from the elections.
