Council Watch

Watching Central Coast Council on behalf of fair-minded and reasonable people.

Central Coast Council Watch

Gosford West ward – candidates

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Christine Keene – independent

I have not signed anything prior to the election because I need time and consultation with the various organisations to ensure my commitments are in the right direction.  I have been approached by many worthwhile organisations/groups and hopefully will have the opportunity to build strong relationships.  I am very practical, a good listener and will work very hard to achieve fair outcomes for all concerned.  I am new to the political arena and take my responsibilities very seriously.

Christine explains  on her website that her focus will be on jobs, sport and safety.

Kate da Costa – The Greens

I will work with all other councillors to bring about genuine community consultation, financial transparency and the principles of ecological sustainability into everything the Central Coast Council does. I have a passion for community development and engagement.

My background as an academic means I am able to understand complex material quickly, and explain it to others, and my experience as an archaeologist means I have a long-term time perspective, beyond the next few elections. I won’t be brushed off with unsatisfactory answers. Any Green on council will work to make the Central Coast a healthy, liveable and sustainable community.

Gary Chestnut – Central Coast New Independents

I am passionate about local government.

I worked in the former Gosford City Council for 25 years. During that time, I held the positions of Town Planner, Environment Officer, Manager of Development and Acting Director of Environment and Planning.
I know how Councils work – and what needs to be done to get the future we want for the Central Coast. I have prepared policies, strategies and plans of management that have contributed to the best of Gosford. My policy development was recognised by the Australian Government in receiving a National Landcare Award and the Royal Australian Planning Institute receiving an Excellence in Planning Award.

Troy Marquart – Liberal Party

Over the past 15 years, with my wife Kylie, we have built a successful local business, Shoreline Sports Floors.  It was born from hard work and dedication, positive attributes the Liberal Team is looking to bring to Council chambers. Using this as inspiration, my passion and goal is to ensure every dollar of the Council budget is spent to benefit Central Coast locals.
As the Liberal candidate for the Gosford West Ward, I can pledge that our united team will protect the institution that is Australia Day and keep policy discussion on topic.
Local Roads, local infrastructure and local issues need to be debated by the new Council. A vote for our Liberal team will be a vote for Common Sense Council.

Gabby Greyem – independent.

Gabby didn’t send in 100 words but she has signed the Fitzgerald Principles.

Sue Chidley – Central Coast New Independents

A few months into the Save Central Coast Reserves campaign which I founded in 2015 to fight Gosford Council’s intention to sell off 25 local reserves, parks and green spaces across the Gosford region, I met Jane Smith.  At the time Jane was the volunteer CEO of Community Environment Network (she has stepped aside from this voluntary role until after the campaign).   She offered to support me with the campaign in any way she could.   She became one of my mentors.  Residents across the region stood up and joined the campaign to save their precious urban sites.   After 15 months of hard campaigning the Gosford Council’s ‘Land Sale Strategy’ was overturned by the Administrator, Ian Reynolds.
Jane Smith is a remarkable woman and when she asked me to be on her team I didn’t hesitate and said ‘yes’.   She believes in sustainable development, protection of the environment, good urban infrastructure across all suburbs, ensuring our water supply remains clean from pollutants (e.g. Mangrove Mountain land fill issue), transparency in Council’s dealings and good community consultation.  She has a good working knowledge of Council processes.
Jane is an environmental teacher and believes in ensuring that the well-being of the community and the environment is kept ‘front and centre’ for now and the future.