Online debate for Mayoral candidates (upcoming local election)

The Moruya Mail, in conjunction with The Tech Exec’s Tricia Pye, will be holding an online debate for Mayoral candidates, this coming Monday 9 September from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

The following link is the recording of the Mayoral Debate:

https://youtu.be/r75FHl0bEyk

Questions, which were submitted from members of the public, will cover Eurobodalla Shire Council finances, climate action, affordable housing, bushfire preparation, public transport, waste management and other topics.

SHASA had 5 responses from candidates/parties (see Recent News Post for their responses).

Questions from the public to the Mayoral Candidates (to be asked at the online debate):

1. How do you intend to really address the cost of the Batemans Bay pavilion (instead of just reducing services for all the ratepayers. (Iris Domeier)

2. What are your plans for improving affordable housing? (Michael Brown)

3. There were clear problems with the response to the 2019/20 bushfires. These included inadequacies in evacuation centres to cater for such large numbers of people and animals, and confusion within the community about where and when to go. A lot of research and funding have been directed toward improving disaster preparedness and response, with neighbouring shires like Shoalhaven and Bega Valley making significant changes at the council level.
   What are your thoughts on the current efforts being made by our council in this area? What additional measures would you advocate for to improve our community’s preparedness, response, and recovery from future disasters? (Michelle Hamrosi)

4. We are seeing the devastating effects of climate change throughout our shire, country and planet. Major flooding, coastal erosion and bushfires are becoming more frequent events. What will you, as Mayor, do to stop new developments in high risk areas affected by sea level rise, floods, bushfires and in endangered ecological communities? (Giovanna Hounsell)

5. How would candidates address the need for much improved public transport including access to new hospital? (Karin Geiselhart)

6. If elected, will you support a strategy and plans to increase urban green spaces and promote the use of native plant species in public and private landscaping? (Coral Anderson)

7. What are your plans to improve reuse, repurposing and recycling?

8. If elected, what actions will you take to raise the profile of animal welfare within council’s LGA? (Coral Anderson)

Narooma specific

9. There is no wheel chair taxi in Narooma or south of Moruya. What will you do to enable people who are wheelchair bound access to the other great wheelchair friendly facilities in the town- such as the shared pathway, floating pontoons, wheelchair beach access mat and all the shops and restaurants that have had to put in disabled access.(Katherine Thackray)

10. Will you oppose the DA proposal to rezone semi rural land on the Old Highway Narooma. for 198 prefabricated houses on 250 square meter blocks of land, with the house only being sold (not the land), on heavily contoured land, with no flood water mitigation. The plan proposed to flatten the site with little, if any, consideration on that impact, and no community consultation. (Kelesi Woodhouse)

Broulee Specific

11. Given the proposed ‘Broulee Farm’ development on Broulee Rd is for land not zoned for housing, and was rejected by a vote of councillors earlier this year, what is the likelihood of it coming back to council. And if so, would you support it? (Linda Chapman)

We hope to see you online.

The local council election is on Saturday 14 September 2024.