Stuart Cathcart (Letters 14/6) expresses concerns about political parties contesting the elections for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Due in large part to the former dismissed council and the failure of the former elected members of the “Yes Team” to declare their relationship with the National Party, this community has made it clear to us that they want prospective candidates to be transparent with their political allegiances. The Country Labor team has nailed its political colours to the mast, and we call on all candidates at the upcoming council elections to make it absolutely clear to the community what political party affiliations or leanings, past or present, that they may have or had. This will enable the community to make an informed choice on September 8.
Country Labor has a proud history of serving the Port Macquarie Hastings Community. Former Mayors Wayne Richards, Ray Cooper and Norm Matesich were all Labor Mayors of this community who proudly embodied the Country Labor principles of ensuring all parts of our society have a fair go, gave older people a dignified retirement, shared the Council resources across all sections and across all regions of our community, while maintaining responsible financial management and renowned for a constant dialogue with this community. The Country Labor team is committed to supporting better health, education and employment opportunities for all, while maintaining responsible financial management and protecting the natural, the built and the community environment.
The community should rest assured that the Country Labor team is focused on serving the Port Macquarie-Hastings community. Our “political agenda” is not one that we own, but are owned by this community. We have been out in this community listening to the issues that concern this community. The community has been talking with us about roads. The community has been talking with us about the inability of many elderly in our community to go down the street because of a lack of provision for walkers or motorised scooters on our roadways. We have been talking with parents having to push strollers on the road due to a lack of footpaths. The community has been talking with us about public housing. We have been talking with Kew businesses and the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce about enhancing this important southern entrance to the Camden Haven. The community has been talking with us about the impact of proposed road widening on Oxley Drive and additional truck movements through Bonny Hills. We have been talking with the community and stakeholders about the pending closure of the St Joseph’s out of school hours care in Laurieton, to see if we can find a solution to enable this important service to continue to operate in the Camden Haven. We have been talking with parents having to walk with children to school on the road pavement due to a lack, even, of shoulders on many roads.
The Wauchope community has been talking with us about swimming pools and community health facilities. Many in the community have been talking with us about the future of the Glasshouse. The community has been talking with us about speed humps, trees, parks, bicycle tracks, public transport and sporting fields. We are talking with business owners about the role that council can have in supporting them.
We will continue these conversations as we continue to Care for our Community.
Peter Alley
Country Labor Mayoral Candidate for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
