Mid-Term, Mid-Winter
It's well and truly time to write another blog as it's around mid-way through my Council term - time to reflect on what, with others, I have achieved as your Councillor for the City of Adelaide. Over the last two years, it has felt at times like we were turning around a large ship mid-voyage, shifting the focus of our strategic plan and budget to serve the community better and address the challenges facing our beautiful city.
If we want a vibrant, connected, inclusive community, we need more than an increase in population. Building a community where people can thrive, have fun, afford their rent or their mortgage without undue stress, and where we honour culture and celebrate diversity... well that's a whole new challenge and we are taking it on.
There is not one person on the council who doesn't believe we must address climate change. As a city we are well and truly focussed on this, from protecting and enhancing our green spaces and parklands to reducing our own and our community's carbon emissions to adapting to higher temperatures by increasing our tree canopy.
Our city economy is in transition post-pandemic with 20% of people now working from home, high inflation and significantly increased housing prices and rent. The way people interact with our city as a place to go for a night's entertainment has also changed. We have reassessed our economic strategies to ensure retail, hospitality, clubs, and live music businesses thrive in this new environment.
Nobody wants to live in a place with wind tunnels of highrise buildings stacked together without thought and planning. We want a city that is beautiful, well-maintained, green and people-focused. Our council has developed a city plan and prioritised spending on our infrastructure, mainstreets and public spaces. The cultural heritage of our city resides in the stories and significant places of the Kaurna People and the many historic buildings. These make us unique and we are committed to maintaining and celebrating them.
How am I going?
The other day I had a look at what I said I would do when I asked for you to vote for me. Here is my self-assessment. What do you think? Do you have any suggestions? What should I focus on in the next 2 years? Let me know, send me a message.
What I said I would do if elected | What I've done so far..... |
| Monthly community listening posts with Councillor Snape in the South; social media updates and blogs; attending precinct and community events and Mayoral round tables; advocated on behalf of residents on specific issues; raised community concerns with the yoursay platform and welcomed the new Our Adelaide consultation site. |
| Behaved respectfully to other councilors despite disagreements over some issues; condemned behaviour that created an unsafe and stressful culture for council members and staff; attended all council meetings unless on leave and took an active role as chair of community services and culture committee. |
| Continually advocated for the interests of residents and community; challenged the model of support for small businesses through AEDA; called for a review of AEDA (Adelaide Economic Development Agency) which has led to a more strategic focus on the Economic Development of our city being inclusive. |
| Sought a policy on community development, and supported a review of the grants program, and community parklands lease policy and procedures; supported Councillor Martin in his push for a fair system for upgrades to community-leased buildings in the parklands; |
| Worked with other councillors, particularly Council Siebentritt, to develop the Adelaide City Integrated Climate Strategy which plans to rapidly reduce our council and community carbon emissions, adapt and mitigate the climate change impacts on our residents and businesses. |
| With the Lord Mayor, initiated new policies for housing and homelessness; established the Lord Mayor's Homelessness Roundtable; supported grant funding to Adelaide Day Centre; supported new council/state government developments with affordable and social housing. |
| Contributed to the council submission to the state government review of the Planning Act; with Councillor Snape gained council support for the Save the Craker campaign; continued to be outspoken about the problems with the current planning system and developments that fly in the face of our city plan and strategy. |
| Supported the advocacy of Councillor Elliot to push for a comprehensive active transport plan for the city; supported more bike infrastructure included in the council budget. |
| Member of the Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Committee and supported the development of our latest plan; ensured that our council supported a yes vote in the referendum and played an active role in educating our community and members of other councils; supported the Mayor when she was attacked for lowering the Aboriginal Flag following the referendum result, an act appreciated by the Aboriginal community; ensured the protection of the heritage grants program in the budget process. |
| With Councillor Noon, ushed for a stronger focus on the west of our city and a more strategic role for precinct groups; supported precinct groups in their role in city activation and community engagement. |
Comentarios