“I want what you want, a prosperous, safe and beautiful city for everyone to live, work, and play in,” said Ms Williams.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

“We need great spaces for our children and thriving small businesses to create energy, vibrancy, and jobs.”

Ms Williams said her goal is to foster a council that “works with the community, for the community, and not against it”.

“By managing community funds responsibly and focusing on essential services like rates, roads, rubbish and recreation, we’ll innovate and deliver at the highest standards,” she said.

Ms WIlliams is also seeking to take advantage of the “endless” opportunities the Coffs Harbour bypass will bring to the city.

Running on Ms Williams’ ticket are a number of well known figures from the local community and business sectors.

“We’re all deeply invested in our city and are here to create a brighter future for Coffs Harbour,” the mayoral candidate said.

“Each member of my team, including Cath Fowler, Les Oxford, Gurminda Saro, Matt Gosling, Barbara Haigh, Clinton Hayes, Falak Othman, and Neil Manson, is committed to listening and working with the community to ensure residents’ voices are heard and needs are met.”

A third generation local, Ms Williams has deep roots in the community.

Her late father, Lawrence Williams, owned Coffs Harbour Freights for 40 years, and her mother, Pam Wiliams, still runs a successful clothing store on Harbour Drive.

“From them, I learned the importance of hard work, kindness, respect, and the value of every dollar,” Ms Williams said.

“It’s this foundation that created my strengths in building relationships, fostering trust, and creating a strong sense of community.

“My leadership style is centred on cultivating a positive culture, mentoring my team, and encouraging ownership to become high-performing and effective.

“As a single mother, I successfully raised triplet daughters while building a sustainable business from the ground up.”

Growing up in Coffs Harbour, Ms Williams remembers the city as a “thriving hub”, leading the Mid North Coast in tourism and business.

Over the past decade however, she believes neighbouring towns have flourished while her home city has stagnated.

Her stated goal for her mayoral candidacy is to reverse this trend and help Coffs Harbour reach its full potential.

“As a champion of small businesses, I drive energy and collaboration within our business community to create a cohesive and vibrant environment,” Ms Williams said.

“The community should guide the vision for Coffs Harbour post-bypass.

“We need to encourage big ideas and robust consultation so everyone can contribute to creating a city we are all proud of.

“We must listen to truly understand, not just to tick a box.

“This is how we discover what our community wants and improve the quality of life for the 80,000 people that live here,” she said.

Ms Williams also cited her commitment to the community through her involvement in local sporting clubs, sponsorship of the Pink Silks Trust, International Women’s Day and Sawtell New Year’s Day Fun Run.

By Andrea FERRARI