Question 1 – Will you commit to the attached pledge opposing the clearing of native forests for development?
Yes, I stand by my support for the Save Link Road campaign goals and this resolution on the 16th of December that I voted in support of.
Question 2 – Do you support the amended Notice of Motion in its entirety? If not, which parts do you support or not support?
Yes, I still support requesting a meeting with the Minister for Planning, Minister for Environment and with Lake Macquarie Councillors. Despite the rejection to our previous invitations, I feel there will be new opportunities to continue to engage and to communicate the position of the Council on this proposal.
Question 3 – If elected as the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, what will you do to pursue positive outcomes in relation to these requests to the two ministers and the Lake Macquarie councillors.
With the state government decision expected this year, I’d be seeking anopportunity to express the position of the council with any relevant Minister or senior member of staff to reiterate the position of the council and the opportunities presented through the alternative proposal of the National Park. I would be ensuring that the decision makers were very aware of what theexpectations are of the community and of Newcastle Council as they make their final determinations.If possible, taking a senior ecologist with me to these representations would be beneficial to demonstrate the value of the habitat in this area. I would also invite councilors from other political parties to join me as a delegation in order todemonstrate the broad political support for the Save Link Road campaign.
Question 4 – If elected as the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, what else will you do to champion the Council’s position on Link Road Forest and achieve its acquisition to be made a National Park for the communities of Newcastle and the Lower Hunter, and the myriad of species, many endangered, whose homes are at risk if the forest is developed.
I think the broad cross-party and community support for protecting this habitat as a National Park is a powerful story that needs to be told again from the chamber. Itwould be fitting to repeat this once the community has elected a new Lord Mayor.As part of this public support, Councillors should again re-iterate that these homesare not required to meet Newcastle’s housing targets and that they are not well located homes.
I am also open to any requests that the Save Link Road campaign has of the council in order to support their advocacy.