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Sneha KC, a nurse and community advocate, is running under the Independents for Canberra banner, determined to bring fresh solutions to pressing issues facing Yerrabi and Canberra – the community she has called home for more than a decade.

“Canberra is a small city, but we’re facing big-city problems,” Sneha says. “It’s time we started thinking proactively rather than reacting to crises as they occur. We need real people from the community representing us and making tangible changes. That’s what I’m committed to doing.”

Healthcare

Sneha is driven by a desire to make a difference. Working on the frontlines of healthcare in Canberra drives her passion for improving the system.

“As a nurse and as a patient myself, I’ve seen people, especially in the health sector, suffer a lot,” Sneha said. “Canberra is the capital of Australia, and we should not have people waiting in emergency rooms for hours or waiting years for surgeries.”

She is particularly focused on the needs of young families in Yerrabi, a region known as the ‘nappy valley’, where there are many children under five but few health services catering to that demographic. Sneha would make sure maternal and child health services were incorporated into the local walk-in centre.

Sneha also advocates for extending pharmacy hours in Yerrabi. “We don’t have pharmacies operating after 7 or 8pm. With pharmacists now able to treat certain conditions, late-hour pharmacies would reduce the burden on hospital emergency departments.”

Infrastructure

Yerrabi’s rapid growth has led to increased traffic congestion.

“A lot of people know, when they travel to and from work, that the congestion is getting worse,” Sneha observes. “Despite all the new suburbs being built, why is nothing being done about the congestion? Time and time again, we hear about the need for road duplications on Mirrabei Drive and Clarrie Hermes Drive, but so far, we’ve seen nothing.”

If elected, Sneha promises to advocate for funding and to fast-track the planning and duplication of these critical roads to alleviate growing traffic woes.

Community safety

Beyond healthcare and infrastructure, ensuring a safer environment for families and businesses is a priority for Sneha. Incidents like the Gungahlin barbershop being set on fire or a late-night attack on a restaurant owner show the need for a greater police presence.

“We need more police in Gungahlin because we’ve seen an increase in crime,” Sneha says. “The police station is small, and can’t accommodate more people, and there are only two patrol cars. If something significant happens, they can’t intervene in time.”

Parks and community spaces

Sneha is passionate about maintaining local parks and community spaces. “There’s a little bit of funding for Yerrabi Pond, but we have been let down because of insufficient maintenance. We need ongoing maintenance because more people are utilising these spaces, especially as blocks get smaller. We need a good playground space for kids.”

Retaining essential workers

Sneha maintains that Canberra needs strategies to retain essential health workers. She suggests offering better rates or subsidised land taxes to attract and keep them. She also proposes reducing the cost of nursing courses, with the condition that graduates work in Canberra for a few years.

Sneha’s approach to politics is grounded in empathy and collaboration. Her experiences as a nurse have shaped her belief that politicians should empower people and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.

As Yerrabi prepares to vote, Sneha KC’s focus on healthcare, infrastructure, safety, and community well-being positions her as a strong advocate for the electorate’s future.