NAMBUCCA Valley Labor Councillor Susan Jenvey is running for Mayor and Councillor in the upcoming Local Government Elections on December 4.

Cr Jenvey places a high priority on environmental issues, informing solutions that she would like to bring to Council on things like the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Cr Jenvey believes strongly that Council, “Can be influential in the way it sees the climate emergency, and use its position to lobby for outcomes at a state or federal level.

“It’s about embedding climate action deep within Council’s DNA.”

Cr Jenvey’s environmental focus includes acknowledging the Mid North Coast’s position as a solar capital in NSW.

“We should position ourselves for this community to benefit from bigger batteries and cheaper electricity.

“We need to step up our ambitions about transport, infrastructure, and buildings, and we need to recycle more waste.”

Protecting waterways and measuring water quality is an area that Cr Jenvey says is critical.

“We need to make sure our farmers are equipped to handle these changes and that our sewerage doesn’t impact the long standing, sustainable oyster industry.”

Cr Jenvey believes the Nambucca Valley is a beautiful area, and says she will protect and promote this in her role in Council.

As a Councillor she has dealt with many complaints from the community around development.

“(Council) needs to be more intentional when it comes to development so that it is appropriate for the Indigenous community and the maintenance of our environment.”

Housing affordability and the difficulty this is causing many in the community is a much discussed issue, and Cr Jenvey believes that Council has a lead role to play in working to solve this issue.

She says the answer lies in “investing in affordable housing for the next generation and for essential workers who are increasingly being excluded”.

Managing the impact that COVID restrictions have had on local businesses and community organisations, and supporting these groups with the easing of restrictions, Cr Jenvey says is a role that Council must play and that she would make sure happens.

“This election is about the community having a voice, not a Council that becomes more corporate.

“I want to work for common agendas, not exclusive agendas.

“This is not a popularity contest but a good outcomes contest.”

 

By Rachel MCGREGOR-ALLEN