Meet your Bega Valley Shire Council candidates

To that end, we sent out a set of key questions to each of the Bega Valley's 18 candidates who are keen to be on our next council.

They were given the same word limits and deadlines for responding.

The submissions from all who responded are presented below, in the order in which candidates will appear on the ballot paper.

Separately, we spoke with each of the candidates putting their hand up for mayor.

In case you missed our articles that have been running over the past few weeks, check them out here:

Mitchell Nadin, Peter Haggar (Greens), David Porter, Helen O'Neil (Labor), Tony Allen, Russell Fitzpatrick,

I'm proud to be born and bred in the Bega Valley. My family settled in the area almost 170 years ago.

I attended school in Merimbula and Eden, went to university in Canberra studying Applied Science in Architecture, worked as a journalist in Sydney for the national broadsheet, and since moving back to the shire nine years ago have been associated with the establishment of two successful businesses: Dulcie's Cottage and Kitty's Bar and Restaurant.

Being elected a councillor for the past eight years I've developed a deep connection to our community and believe I have the necessary experience and skills to serve you as mayor. I am also leading a team of five outstanding candidates running to be councillors, represented on the ballot paper as Group A.

We need a mayor who will fight for this community in state and federal parliament, sure, but we also need someone who gets your back standing up to our own council too. Resolving conflict between council and the community is something I've become known for. Supporting the community should be at the heart of everything we do.

I'm proud of my track record at council, especially fighting against the recent rate rise of almost 50 per cent, instead pushing for responsible budget management of council's finances. In a cost-of-living crisis we can't afford to have champagne taste without a budget to match.

My focus for the next term will be on fostering an accountable and transparent council, something I believe is currently lacking, repairing council's relationship with the community, and insisting on detailed financial planning before proceeding with large projects. We can't afford the cost overruns of the current administration. We must bring down the time it takes to process our development applications. We must find the balance between promoting growth and opportunity for our towns and villages without losing the magic that makes our area unique.

I believe in listening to the voices of all residents, from Wonboyn to Bermagui, and working together to address the challenges we face. If this vision resonates with you please Vote 1 for Mitchell Nadin as your mayor.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

As a council member, it's essential to focus on the strategies, procedures, and overall direction of the council and make sure they turn into action. We don't approve every payment, so it's crucial to have policies to ensure that the council operates to a high standard.

In the previous council term, it became clear that my 30+ years of experience working at senior levels in global Fortune 500 companies, focusing on efficiency, quality standards, and change management, brought valuable skills to a council needing solutions that can return it to a sustainable position. As a true independent, I serve only the interests of the community.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

The longstanding concern has been our roads, which I was involved in during the last term. However, the problems of roads, rates, and rubbish have been overshadowed recently by the cost of living and housing. The council must prioritise the fundamental human rights of food and shelter while maintaining controlled management of our infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. To do this, the council must be affordable and efficient in delivering quality services. The council is falling short, especially in affordability, after these staggering rate rises I opposed.

The answer to many of the council's problems is leadership. We can complain about funding and point the finger at other levels of government, but a mayor needs to take responsibility with real leadership. My experience in large organisations allows me to introduce the accountability, transparency, cost control, change management, and empowerment required to deliver a sustainable council that will serve the community.

As the only mayoral candidate with large-scale experience in modern management philosophies, I can lead the council into a stronger, more sustainable position that delights the expectations of our community. Council cannot keep plodding along in yesteryear; it's time for change, and I am offering to get the job done for our community. Once elected, I will empower councillors to be part of a united team, all contributing their input equally for the betterment of the council.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

We need a council that "lives within its means" - a cost-effective council with a can-do attitude. This transformation will begin by empowering councillors to work as a team, embracing change management and having a vision for the council's future that includes accountability, transparency, cost control, and ethical decision-making.

We can then prioritise objectives, prepare the budget from the ground up, and manage projects accountably to ensure that the resources needed to maintain existing assets are not used up by budget overruns, as they were in the last term. I will also initiate planning reforms that will have an immediate impact on the housing crisis in a way that has less effect on the community.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

'Leadership that Listens' is my commitment to the Bega Valley. I am running for mayor to give us a fresh start. Consulting with the community has to be the starting point for all councillors. The only way to make good decisions - and get the priorities right - is to listen before decisions are made.

As mayor I will make community connection my priority.

I live in an old farmhouse outside Bermagui. I bring long experience in the media, policy making and the arts. I've managed or chaired organisations promoting the performing arts, cultural exchange and academic research, including South East Arts here in Bega. I am part of the Labor team of candidates.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

Council must deal with the housing crisis, the climate crisis and the challenge of the clean energy transition - all while managing its finances better. What is the road map for the next four years?

Accessing state and federal government investment - which is available now - and working with the community will allow us to:

Deliver 100s of new homes including at the former Bega TAFE, and units in Rawlinson Street with Southern Cross with more to come and use vacant premises like Nullica lodge in Eden;

Set standards for emergency housing so the Council works with housing providers and state government to provide accommodation especially for those escaping domestic violence;

Plan for new home sites - for young families and essential workers plus smaller sites in towns for downsizing;

Upgrade the road network to better prepare for disasters including fire and flood;

Plan for coastal towns to allow growth while maintaining their beauty;

Scaling up our childcare services to help families and essential workers;

Developing micro grids and Towns hubs for greater energy self-reliance.

We can do this by regularly meeting and talking with people in the community about Council's work before making decisions.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

My goal as mayor is to have a council which works collaboratively, a council that is seen as a reliable and forward thinking partner with the other levels of government.

The mayor has to lead in setting the priorities of working through the tough issues of what can be done and what will be left undone - but those discussions need to be open and transparent.

The last few years, beginning with the loss of nearly 500 homes in the Black Summer fires, have been around recovery; better financial control led to the hard decision to increase rates.

The next four years are the opportunity for a fresh start - better planning processes, looking for grants which advance our real needs in housing and roads and ensuring we do not go down the path of more special variations in rates.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

To be available to the community and business to listen to their concerns and work in partnership with council staff to deliver better outcomes for the Bega Valley. I will work collaboratively to make practical decisions on the complex issues facing our shire including addressing the housing crisis, maintaining our roads and bridges, championing the circular economy and clean energy, and managing our rate income.

I have 15 years experience as a project manager working on community development projects including budget management, risk assessment and quality assurance and I will focus on building council's project management capability.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

The main issues facing residents and ratepayers are:

Managing council finances: No-one wants another significant rate increase and council need to act now to stabilise council's income for future years. This includes capacity building staff to reduce reliance on expensive consultants; better oversight of spending and more transparent reporting; and accessing the right grants such as the state Labor government's $252m fund for local government to employ 1300 new trainees and apprentices.

Maintaining our road network: Our shire has a very large road network and a very small ratepayer base. We simply can't maintain the roads from our own revenue. Council needs to reduce the backlog of urgently needed road repair. We need to access funding such as the Black Spot program and use funding from Roads to Recovery Program ($3.4m) in the places it's needed most.

Addressing the housing crisis: Implementing and refreshing council's Affordable Housing Strategy will be critical to guide efforts to address the housing crisis. Council should support mum and dad sub-dividers, review DA processing practices to streamline development, partner with state and federal government to access funding and with social housing providers. Council should also support efforts by community organisations to address crisis accommodation.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

To bring better consultation and partnership between council and the community. To do this council needs to hold more community meetings, have a clear communications strategy and hold regular meetings with stakeholders.

To improve affordable, social and crisis housing in the shire. To do this I will support developments that include mandated numbers of affordable housing, residential developments that maintain the identity of our towns, and crisis accommodation initiatives that have a proven track record.

To ensure council is in a stable financial position by maximising grant funding, reducing waste, up-skilling staff and reducing reliance on external consultants.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

I trained as an electronics engineer and have been working with communities in the Bega Valley on the transition to cheaper and more reliable energy with support from federal government and non-profits. It began with the Bega based Repair Cafe. Renew Cobargo and the recently launched Renew Bermagui are helping community members cut their bills, and move to renewables while towns are developing micro grids and e-hubs to become more self-reliant when natural disaster hits - this week's power cuts were a powerful reminder of why this is urgent.

I have worked in local government and understand the pressures and opportunities it has to make the Bega Valley better prepared for climate change.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

Energy is critical as an everyday resource that we all use. Australia is transitioning towards electricity as the energy of choice, and actually, even now, is the cheapest form of energy.

However, we do pay almost the highest price for electricity, here on the Far South Coast, due to our distance from the traditional coal-fired generators. Council should be a critical partner in working with the community to address how electricity costs can be driven down.

Our Labor team will work closely with the Bega Circularity Centre, and the existing and emerging community energy groups, to implement innovative energy generation and distribution projects, that will ultimately achieve more reliable and cheaper electricity for us all.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

Tourism is a major economic driver for our shire. As Australia transitions to electricity as the primary energy source, we are seeing more and more tourists arriving driving electric vehicles. But compared to our neighbouring Eurobodalla Shire, Bega Shire is almost devoid of decent recharging facilities.

We should ramp up a program of building a network of electric vehicle chargers across the shire, in partnership with private providers, and largely funded by grants available from the Minns Labor government.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

To ensure council's spending does not blow out and is directed towards strategic goals that meet the highest priorities of council and the community. To collaborate with other councillors and council staff on decisions and actions and to oversee senior council staff accountability for budgets and projects.

I am suited to this role because I have formal qualifications and experience as an accountant, including my role as senior corporate accountant for a large private company. I have run a small business in the Bega Valley in agriculture and gained my degree at the University of Wollongong Bega.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

Affordability of council rates. I'm against further special variation rate increases in the next council term, and for additional relief for pensioners where possible, or with state government investment.

Improving consultation, communication and engagement with community including individuals and groups. Council staff must engage more. Council should regularly hold community engagement sessions throughout the shire - mix of councillors and staff in attendance so that individuals, groups and businesses have a direct opportunity to be heard. These town visits could also be used to keep councillors and staff updated by viewing local council projects.

Residents and ratepayers have little confidence in council's control of its expenses especially for major projects. Council management need to be accountable for preparing, reporting on and meeting project and operational budgets. Major deviations from budget need to be identified early and raised with councillors before major cost blow outs are incurred

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

A council budgeting and reporting process where management is accountable, variances and financial risks are reported earlier, and councillors are kept well informed of project and financial performance and financial position.

Much closer working partnerships for council with state and federal governments and our elected representatives is essential; council and the community know what needs to be fixed, funded and built and collaboration will ensure grant funding to make this happen.

Council and councillors to be far more open and listening and giving feedback to the community and having a more permanent presence throughout the shire.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

Greens are backed by proactive policies developed by our members, based on the best available science. A strong network of Greens councillors across the state provides a fantastic network to assist in decision-making.

Personally, a long history in small business but also, as a Green, I will stand with local residents and groups often ignored by big developer focused perspectives.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

As always, the Greens will prioritise protecting communities and our environment from inappropriate and damaging developments. We will promote stronger local action on climate change and bring forward policies that help communities adapt to climate induced extreme events. In the coming term we will also prioritise real community consultation and push for trial citizen juries for decision making to put community needs first.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

The Greens on council over the next term will act on what science is telling us we must do: move toward a balance with nature; bring forward BVSC policies to tackle climate change at a local level; and find local solutions to our rental and housing crisis and also to supercharge community voices in these areas.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

I believe a councillor's role is essentially to be a voice for their community - to listen to concerns and issues and try to solve them, as well as listen to ideas for improvements and try to bring them to fruition. I believe I am suitable for this role as I am a person of honesty and integrity with a genuine desire to contribute to the betterment of my community. I am also passionate about making sure all of our diverse community has a voice at the table.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

Rates are a major issue at the moment, after receiving a rate rise in the middle of a cost of living crisis people are struggling and concerned there will be more. Added to that we are in the midst of a housing crisis where renters (like me) live in fear of losing their home and not being able to find another.

There are also many concerns about development that may take away from our area's natural beauty and small town community feel.

If elected, I would support strong lobbying to state and federal government regarding the current funding models that have put local government in NSW into a crisis, while also working hard to ensure council spending is appropriate and fair.

I would push for "out of the box" thinking to provide a broad spectrum of solutions to the housing crisis, and I would consider all developments very carefully to ensure they are sympathetic to the landscape.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

The main goal would be to create a progressive, cohesive, financially stable council that has open communication channels with its community.

To achieve this I will be a councillor of transparency with a focus on community engagement. I will work hard to bring fresh ideas to council and work towards a strong financial future.

I encourage voters to think hard about who you vote for to ensure our council is made up of people who are honest, genuine, and can work together to ensure we can achieve this.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

As a councillor of 22 years experience with the Bega Valley Shire, seven of those years as mayor during the most productive period of the Bega Shire's history, I still hold the same philosophy as that which first made me stand for council. That is the councillors must work as a team respecting the views of all councillors with the aim of responsibly managing the $2billion worth of community property under our control.

Residents should always be consulted and views taken into consideration on contentious issues. Experience, local knowledge and understanding a councillor's role are essential in maintaining a stable council. Never forget we are the people's representatives.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

Maintaining the critical core responsibilities of a council must come first and road sealing, garbage removal and disposal, clean water supplies all stand out as most important. All councils face huge issues with so much grant funding offered from a multitude of agencies - both federal and state and the expectation by residents that this would be accepted. The ongoing maintenance of new grant funded extras is a massive impost on the ratepayers and should always form part of the approval process. Sometimes it may be best to say 'no'.

With $2 billion in assets with a depreciation value of 2.5% (this equates to $50 million per year) the reality of maintaining all assets is a huge impost on ratepayers and the council.

The council must avoid taking on projects which should be funded and maintained by either the state of federal governments as these are costs which the ratepayer should not have to be asked to bear.

Constantly reviewing council's planning instruments to meet with constantly changing demographics of the Shire and affordability issues will be an important ongoing process.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

While maintaining fiscal responsibility council must work collaboratively to get the Cuttagee Bridge rebuilt, the Merimbula Airport project completed, the Eden Snug Cove precinct upgraded and beautified and the Merimbula ocean outfall project finalised. The covering of the Bega Saleyards is also an important project for the shire. As is the establishment of a new industrial park precinct for the shire.

My overall main goal is for council to work in unison with state and federal governments to pursue the required funding for some of these projects.

Continued focus on a better route across the Brown Mountain is essential for this region.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

The key role is to represent your community without fear or favouritism on issues that concern them no matter how big or small the issue is.

Some will suggest that they can set policy and operate outside the Local Government Act. This is how councils get dismissed and administrators are appointed. It is important the prospective councillors fully understand this and that there roles are not operational.

During my time 15 years on council I have tried to always return calls and listen to peoples' concern. Dealing with federal and state governments as well as ministers and their staff and building relationships with them is vital for council to be heard and create change to policy.

I have a track record of achievement through council and as chair of the Canberra Joint Organisation (11 local councils) and as a board member of the Country Mayors Association (87 regional councils)

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

The main issues are:

Housing and the planning policies/legislation of state government that restrict development;

Financial sustainability of local government in regional and rural NSW - rate increases and cost shifting;

Workforce/child care;

Lack of income to maintain existing assets let alone renew those as they reach end of life.

Housing approvals are held up due to the many legislations around this including bushfire ratings/biodiversity rules/flooding and then there is the various council strategies and it becomes time consuming for staff. Then people just tend to find the whole process too hard and give up. There must be more complying development that gives certainty to people as to what they can and can't get approved.

With rising employment costs build in every year and cost with construction going up the financial sustainability of regional and rural councils cannot be maintained. The allocation of Financial Assistance Grants with the population factor at 30% favours city-based councils who have other means of income like parking fees.

In the Bega Valley only 40% of our income is from rates and charges the remainder is from grants. So as state and federal government reduce grant funding to reduce their debt this will have significant effect on council and council needs to be prepared for this.

When grants are provided for a particular project, it should include contingencies for cost escalation as from announcement of the grant to actual tender for construction can take several years and then council is expected to fund the shortfall when the project may not have been in their plans.

Workforce issues continue to be a problem with highly trained staff offered positions in other government agencies at far better wages then council can offer. Then to fill this positions new employees have difficulty finding accommodation

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

Main goal is to see that council's delivery plan and operational plan with capital projects are completed and delivered for the community. Continue the upgrades of water quality in our water systems. Implement the Active Transport Policy and provide better connection around town centres for all. Continue to lobby the federal government for better distribution of Financial Assistance Grants to regional and rural councils. Continue procurement works through the Canberra Region Joint Organistion to reduce costs to individual councils. We live in the best place in the world.

- What do you see is your key role as councillor? Why are you the best person for it?

I see my role as a elected councillor is to show leadership in all facets of council from financial management of ratepayers money and making sure they are getting value for their hard earned money, and finding ways to save money on everyday running costs - for example fuel, vehicle fleet running costs, administration and efficiency.

Also building a strong relationship with staff to achieve better outcomes for ratepayers money which I do in my own farm business

Being transparent at all times and no hidden agenda and taking on other people's ideas for projects for the betterment of the shire at no additional running costs.

- What do you feel is/are the main local government issue/s facing residents and ratepayers? What are you going to do about it?

I feel the main local government issues at this stage are rates, local infrastructure of bridges, roads, water and waste services, community infrastructure as in local halls and public toilets and where they can be be combined for the saving on running costs.

Also the costs involved in solar and wind generation in the shire for deliberation with the community that may well be affected by their position in relation to the proposed locations.

Also looking at government legislation that is having an effect on council and projects by private investors to speed them up after full consultation and transparency to reach a positive outcome for all.

- What is your main goal for the council to achieve over the coming term? What concrete actions will you pursue to achieve it?

In my first year on council if elected is to understand fully the day to day running of it to make submissions to staff and councillors how we may well make budgeting decisions to make ratepayers money go further and not incur overriding and ongoing expenses eating into the budget.

I know it will be a steep learning curve for a new councillor, but with my experience in construction and on community groups I aim to reach outcomes that make the development of our shire continue - with no extra rate increases. Cost of living is having a pronounced effect on all sectors of the community Australia-wide.