Jane Crowley and Nicole Smith are proud to officially announce that they are “determined to bring about positive change on council” at the upcoming election on 4 September. Jane and Nicole have committed to running and leading an independent ticket under the banner of LET’S GET IT RIGHT.
Jane Crowley, lead candidate, described her main motivation for running as “We have been subjected to unprecedented public embarrassment by the conduct and dysfunction of our local councillors. Unfortunately, the elected councillors did not find a way to work together in the best interests of the community, to such an extent that the Minister for Local Government issued Wingecarribee Shire Council with a Performance Improvement Order. You would have thought that the message would get through, however, it failed to achieve the desired outcome. The Minister was left with no option other than to issue a Suspension Order and appoint an Interim Administrator. It is a sad day for the Southern Highlands when an Administrator becomes a necessary and better outcome than our elected leaders.
On 4 September we need to elect councillors that are prepared to work together in the best interests of the community. I am prepared to contribute to that desperately needed outcome by nominating to run. As a community we simply can’t afford to have major infrastructure projects like the Berrima Road Deviation Project and Moss Vale Bypass and Station Street Upgrade bungled, wasting ratepayers funds, and for projects to run over budget and over time. I could not afford to run my business Dirty Janes the way the suspended councillors ran council. The Southern Highlands community deserves better.”
Nicole Smith, candidate, identified the bushfires as a catalyst for her deciding to run “I was proud of how the community rose to the occasion during and after the bushfires, as good communities do in a crisis. I have the greatest respect for RFS and SES volunteers, all the front-line emergency services staff and support people, and local charities operating mostly with volunteers. In stark contrast, I was not proud of the public statements made by our Mayor or of his conduct in council meetings. On the back of clear devastation, infrastructure and property lost, almost 70 homes lost, and very sadly two lives lost, the Mayor seemed detached and aloof, and did not display inspirational leadership or provide people that had lost their homes with the upfront peace of mind and certainty that they deserved. The Mayor did not reflect the outpouring of compassion that the community had for those who had lost their homes.
Why did council not have a Crisis Management Manual? Why did council disband the local bushfire recovery committee, including community representatives, after its second meeting in February 2020?
I was extremely proud as a volunteer Board Member of the Southern Highlands Foundation that our organisation was able to help, without charging any administration fees, by distributing the funds raised through John Waters’ community fundraising benefit FireAid. The funds went directly to locals and local organisations that most needed it.”
Jane and Nicole explained the main priorities for the LET’S GET IT RIGHT team are “based on our experiences, discussions with concerned people in the community, and a sample survey of residents about what are the important issues, the LET’S GET IT RIGHT team has created a policy platform with three main pillars:
- New Leadership – let’s vote for leaders we can be proud of.
- Council Performance – let’s vote for a team who are capable of improving the performance of
council. - Shire Character – let’s vote to preserve the green between, the character of the shire.”
The LET’S GET IT RIGHT team is holding an official campaign launch, open to the public, free to attend, on Wednesday 12 May at Centennial Vineyards, 5.30pm – 7.30pm. Attendees will be able to meet candidates running on the ticket. Bookings are essential and details are available via the campaign website letsgetitright2021.com.au
For further comment:
Jane Crowley 0408 465 400 [email protected] or
Nicole Smith 0407 296 710 [email protected]
Media Contact:
Cait Tynan 0427 859053 [email protected]