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Southern Highlands Express

Jane Crowley and Nicole Smith are determined to bring about positive change to Wingecarribee Shire Council at the upcoming election on 4 September. Jane is leading an independent ticket under the banner of LET’S GET IT RIGHT with Nicole in second position on the ticket.

Disappointed by the dysfunction of the recently suspended Councillors, Jane was motivated to step up for the community.

“We have been subjected to unprecedented public embarrassment by the conduct of our councillors, I could not afford to run my business Dirty Janes the way the suspended councillors operated.” she said.

“The Southern Highlands community deserves better.”

Nicole Smith says the bushfires were the 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.

“By stark contrast, I was not proud of the public statements made by Mayor Duncan Gair during the crisis,” she explained.

“On the back of clear devastation, 60 homes lost, and very sadly 2 lives… in my opinion, Mayor Gair was detached and aloof, and did not display inspirational leadership or provide people who lost their homes with the upfront peace of mind and certainty that they needed and deserved,” she added.

“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?” she asked.

Following extensive discussions with concerned locals, and a sample survey of residents about the issues that matter to them, 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 the candidates running on the ticket. Bookings are essential and details are available via the campaign website letsgetitright2021.com.au.

The article in the Southern Highlands Express.