Our Policies

Although we are independents, we share important core values and likewise a number of polices that we agree will help better the lives of Willoughby residents.

Protecting our environment, doing density better, helping with the cost of living

We face a challenge from increased density and we need to protect and, hopefully, enhance our tree cover to deal with urban heat island impacts. We will push for more ambitious tree planting targets and improved tree protection measures such as requiring permits to be displayed for all tree removals. We will lobby the NSW Government to repeal the 10/50 rule
Another potential consequence of increased density is increased congestion. We will push for lower speed limits on local, non-arterial roads, and improved cycling infrastructure so that people feel safe walking and cycling and can do it more. We will also continue to push for increased car-sharing pods, and advocate for improved public transport links, particularly for east-west services to connect to the new metro stations e.g. increased frequency of services the 267 route which provides a connection between metro stations. Increased tree cover is also an important component of encouraging more walking and cycling. Suitable bus shelters and seating, a council responsibility, are also important for encouraging public transport
We will lobby NSW Government to introduce windfall gains taxes such as those that exist in the ACT to help finance new public transport infrastructure. Essentially these are taxes imposed to recover some of the windfall gains accruing to a landowner when investment in public transport enables a higher density zoning. The tax is levied on sale and recovers some of the windfall tax which would otherwise accrue to the landowner
In combination these measures should facilitate less private car ownership, particularly ownership of second cars. It is noted that the annual cost of owning a private vehicle in Sydney is an average of $15,000 (excl. purchase/loan costs, and depending on kms travelled)

Improving housing affordability

We need to better manage council owned properties. Council should, for instance, be looking at opportunities to underground appropriate carparks such as at Northbridge Plaza, to create community benefit and open up opportunities for some affordable housing
Australia has 13 million spare bedrooms - https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/australia-has-13-million-spare-bedrooms-is-there-a-better-use-for-them. The renting out of such rooms could benefit the homeowner and the lodger. We will create a position to facilitate the renting of spare bedrooms for those interested
We will lobby NSW Government to give councils power to discourage warehousing i.e. leaving habitable dwellings empty rather than renting them out

Other environmental protection measures

There is clear evidence to establish the health damage caused by indoor pollution from gas appliances. Gas is also a fossil fuel which adds to CO2 emissions. We will follow in the steps of other Sydney councils and investigate the use of council’s planning controls to prevent the connection of gas in new dwellings
We will investigate whether there is greater scope for stormwater harvesting and recycling and the creation of wetlands for benefits including stormwater management
We will lobby the NSW Government to ban non-essential plastic packaging e.g. polystyrene appliance packaging
We will Investigate whether glass waste can be better separated to minimise contamination of waste streams
We will investigate whether the Artarmon facility can offer metal recycling
We will investigate whether council can encourage more recycling by helping create a market via the specification of more recycled product in its operations e.g. road base
We will investigate whether and how we can incentivise the use of smaller red bins, thereby encouraging more recycling, reducing the amount of waste going into landfill, and consequently reducing costs to council and ratepayers
We will identify, plan and implement potential wildlife corridors to link significant wildlife habitat remnants
We will continue to encourage home gardeners to use native plants through plant sales and education, and investigate the implementation of a welcome pack scheme for new residents as part of this
We will cease using plants which present a weed threat to local bushland, in council plantings
We will review use of artificial turf for sports fields by seeking and acting on scientifically based evidence on the environmental and human health impacts of artificial turf

Better engaging the community in decision-making

We will ensure that the advisory committees are re-established asap and properly supported, as they provide invaluable advice in relation to what can be done to e.g. increase tree canopy and encourage cycling and walking
We will do more to enable clean energy initiatives by residents. As part of this we will, in conjunction with the relevant advisory committees, review the effectiveness of council’s discounts schemes in relation to solar panels and compost bins, compared to setting up an advice scheme so that residents can feel confident and be properly informed in their choice of supplier and installer

Improve opportunities for sport

We will audit our natural turf fields to ensure that they are state of the art to ensure that they are being used as intensively as possible
We will investigate whether better use can be made of commercial roof and floor space for sports and passive recreation
We will investigate whether there is scope for greater public access to school sports fields

Improve transparency, accountability and efficiency

We will only use briefings where necessary. Briefings of councillors are initiated by council officers, or by councillors. The content of the briefings is confidential. Staff have e.g. recommended that matters such as advisory committees be discussed in briefings. We believe this is inappropriate and that there should be community workshops to discuss advisory committees which councillors can participate in.
We will better engage the community in the review of our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) by holding a series of community workshops to consider the adequacy of current targets and inviting key stakeholders to attend. The CSP identifies the main priorities and aspirations for the future covering a period of at least 10 years from when the plan is endorsed and is required to be endorsed by 30 June 2025
We will publish councillor votes on non-procedural matters in easily searchable form
We will ensure that proposals to make council less accountable - such as reduced speaking times, having public forum outside council meetings etc – are defeated
We will better communicate with residents about major developments and State Significant Developments (SSDs) and what residents can do to protect their interests
We will initiate an independent review of the management of the Willoughby Leisure Centre build to ensure that major projects are properly managed in future
We will better liaise with other councils about common problem such as illegal tree clearing
We will better liaise with North Sydney Council to mitigate the impact of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade/Western Harbour Tunnel on e.g. Willoughby Road
We will review the use of consultants
We will hold a referendum on whether the mayor should be popularly elected at the next council election