Recently I introduced a notice of motion to Lake Macquarie City Council which proposed that council adopt a position in support of the principle of marriage equality. In a spirit of bipartisanship I reached out to one of my Liberal councillor colleagues and asked if he’d care to co-sponsor my NOM (notice of motion) stating that I was happy to discuss if he wished to modify the wording. He thanked me for the offer, said he’d consider it and get back to me. When asked a week later, he responded that he would be absent from the meeting and would get back to me by email. On the day of the council meeting a story appeared in The Herald with the three Liberal councillors accusing me of grandstanding on the issue of marriage equality. I guess that’s what he meant by getting back to me.

I provide that background to my NOM so as to point out that my intent was anything but grandstanding. If I wished to grandstand why would I reach out to my political opponent to share in the initiative? When I was putting together the wording of my motion I was conscious of the risk I ran of raising an issue which might be perceived as not the domain of council. So I looked to word it is such a way that it applied strictly to council processes and policies - a minimalist approach. The motion was in 4 parts. The first part committed council to supporting the principle of marriage equality. The three other parts ensured council’s policies, procedures and submissions to government, conformed to council’s commitment in part one.

The issue of marriage equality is much more important than any petty bickering between political opponents. So let me try to explain why I believe that Lake Macquarie City Council should take a position in support of marriage equality.

The preamble to the Local Government Act identifies Social Justice as a pre-eminent value that councillors should use to assist them when making decisions. The Act also states that councillors should take on the responsibilities of community leaders. Whenever I attend a national or NSW Local Government Conference I am regaled by Federal and State politicians who re-iterate ad nauseum that local government is the closest to the people and that we councillors are most aware of what our communities are doing and thinking.

Yet it appears I should ignore all of these - social justice, community leadership, being closest to the people - when deciding what are and aren’t appropriate matters to come before council; I should instead only apply my capacities as a community leader to the rather prosaic matters captured by the rather glib shorthand of ‘roads, rates and rubbish’. Yet I engage with the community on a whole raft of issues which council has responsibilities for, and which council shares with our State and/or Federal counterparts: libraries, arts and cultural events and policy, citizenship ceremonies, tourism, local application of the NATIONAL Disabilities Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Council has a position statement on multiculturalism and our relationship with Aborigines – both distinctly recognised as state and federal matters. At council meetings we acknowledge the local Awabakal people as traditional owners of the land upon which we meet. Each year council supports a team attending the International Children’s Games. Lake Macquarie hosted these games in 2014, a first for Australia and the southern hemisphere. Councillors and council staff serve on regional, state and national bodies which implement transport, water, energy and coastal management strategies, clearly the responsibility of state and federal governments. Council is asked on a regular basis to contribute to policy development by state and federal governments on matters as diverse as housing policy, homelessness, energy policy, water policy, the environment, global warming, coastal management and even refugees.

Clearly council and councillors deal with state and federal crossover issues which go well beyond merely roads rates and rubbish. So what of our role as community leaders? Surely part of that role is to speak out clearly on issues of concern to our community?

Marriage equality is an issue we should be leading on, an issue clearly at the forefront of community concerns. There was no grandstanding when council took a position on multiculturalism or our relationship with Aborigines. Marriage equality is an issue for all of us – state, federal and local government. So if notions of social justice have any meaning at all, if we truly believe in that most sacred of Australian myths: the fair go, then surely we should make things right for all of us, not just some of us. And council has a role to play in working towards making things right.

Pre-poll opened on Monday 29th August 2016 for the Lake Macquarie Council Election.

Below are the locations, dates and times that eligible voters can attend to cast a vote ahead of election day, 10th September 2016.

For full details please visit the Lake Macquarie City Council website: https://www.lakemac.com.au/council/local-government-elections

LIBS SCAREMONGER ON COUNCIL WASTE SERVICES

Labor candidate for Mayor of Lake Macquarie Kay Fraser has today condemned the Lake Macquarie Liberal team for using scare tactics about Lake Macquarie City Council’s waste strategy for political point scoring. A text message from the ‘Lake Mac Liberals’ was sent to recipients across the Lake that read:Lake Mac Council wants to take away you weekly bin pickup – only the Lake Mac Liberals will stop them. Vote 1 Lake Mac Liberals on Sept 10.

The message is followed by a link through the Lake Macquarie Liberals Facebook account.

After extensive public consultation, in 2011 Council resolved to introduce a phased 3-bin service for household waste.

The strategy adopted by council will save landfill space; keep waste costs affordable for ratepayers and help Council make valuable compostable material that was once considered waste.

Based on current costs, the Liberals plan has been conservatively estimated to cost an additional $15 million per financial year for Lake Macquarie ratepayers.

This plan would also lead to Lake Macquarie City Council contravening NSW Waste targets sets by the current NSW Liberal Government.Quotes attributable to Kay Fraser:

“The Liberals are simply scaremongering to try and gain votes. “The Liberals actually voted for the sustainable and equitable waste strategy for Lake Macquarie in February 2011.Now they’re text messaging people around the Lake saying that they will stop the council from implementing the strategy – talk about disingenuous! “Based on current costs, it’s estimated that the Liberals plan will cost in excess of $15 million of council rates per year. That’s money that could be better spent on improving our footpaths, our parks and our lawn-mowing services.

“Not only this, but the Lake Macquarie Liberals plan would actually contravene waste targets set by their mates in NSW Liberal Government – what a joke!”

Media contact: Kay Fraser 0404 497 401

Lake Macquarie City Council Labor Mayor, Jodie Harrison and Labor Deputy Mayor Brian Adamthwaite were on hand yesterday at the launch of the 2016 CityServe initiative. This is the third consecutive year that Lake Macquarie City Council has partnered with the organisation.

CityServe brings together volunteers to serve their communities by undertaking worthwhile community projects. Some projects that CityServe will be helping on this year include Wangi Oval; Belmont, Glendale and Toronto Community Childcare Centres; and John Balcombe Oval at Dudley.

Lake Macquarie Labor are committed to ensuring this fine work within the community continues. Vote 1 Labor and Vote 1 Cr Kay Fraser for Mayor at the September 10 local government election.

Article : Lakes Mail

Last month I was privileged to accept, on behalf of Lake Macquarie City Council, first prize for the Best Case Study Of Coastal Adaptation In Australia. The award recognised the outstanding work done by the community and council in developing the Marks Point & Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan (MPBSLAP). Council officers facilitated the process, but it was the local community of Marks Point and Belmont South who developed the plan.

Council’s 2012 Waterways Flood Risk Management Study and Plan identified flood risks to low lying areas across the LGA at risk of serious flooding, tidal inundation and climate-induced sea level rise. A major strategy identified in the Flood Risk Plan was the development of a series of local adaptation plans. The first of these was the MPBSLAP.

State government regulations demanded that flood risk be noted on a property’s 149 certificates. This had an immediate impact upon property owners with regard to insurance costs and height levels for newly constructed buildings. So when Council began the process of talking with the community, there was a great deal of misinformation regarding council’s “agenda”. This resulted in a deal of confusion and fear amongst the community. And as council was doing the consultation much of that ill feeling was directed towards council.

A number of public workshops were held with the community which provided them with the opportunity to vent their concerns and to identify a whole range of possible strategies for dealing with flooding and sea level rise. The task then was to transform these ideas into some kind of plan. The community decided that the best way to do this was to form a subcommittee of community members, who could work on behalf of the whole community, to develop their ideas into a fully formed plan.

Over the next 18 months this subcommittee met and worked. Over that period the subcommittee became increasingly aware that council’s only “agenda” was to work with the community to develop practical solutions to the threat of flooding and sea level rise. Community members who did not know each other prior to this became good friends. Not only were they developing solutions to problems of flooding, they were also growing their community bonds: making their community stronger. Very early on they determined that retreat, i.e. giving up their homes, was not an option. They were unanimous in their commitment to the concept of defending their properties. In the same way that home owners defend their property against bushfire, so they would defend their properties against flooding and sea level rise.

The plan was underpinned by two broad concepts:

Mitigation measures such as lake walls [revetments], the raising of houses and infrastructure, the raising of land by means of fill, and the use of enhanced stormwater measures). These mitigation measures allowed them to “defend” properties directly from flooding and sea level rise.A set of “trigger points” would be developed. Actions need only be taken when those trigger points have been reached. So if sea level rose by 20 cm this would trigger certain actions. But those actions would only occur once 20cm was reached.

The plan was adopted by council in March this year. Throughout the process elected councillors have fully supported the staff and the community. The national award recognises that this plan is now a model for councils across the country to develop their own plans. And the genius of this plan rests with the fact that it was developed not by council, but by the local community. At the Conference where the award was presented, the one word that was repeated again and again as the essential element of successful climate adaptation planning was the word ENGAGEMENT. Not informing, not consultation but engagement. The community needs to engage with the problem AND with the solution. And they need to own the outcome, the plan.

The Marks Point/Belmont South community owns the MPBSLAP.

Barney Langford is a councillor on Lake Macquarie Council representing North Ward

The Labor team on Lake Macquarie City Council over the last 4 years have proved ourselves to be financially prudent, fiscally responsible and sound economic managers. Under Jodie Harrison’s leadership as the Labor Mayor, we have demonstrated that Lake Macquarie is ‘Fit For the Future’. As Labor’s Mayoral candidate at the upcoming election in September, I intend to continue this legacy and build on our success. Having served on council for the past 12 years, I have the experience and skills to keep building on our success and deliver stability and continuity for our city.

Lake Macquarie City Council is set to deliver a financial surplus next year. This is a measure that the Labor team, in cooperation with council staff have been working towards for a number of years. Together the Labor councillors have worked incredibly well with staff and councillors of all persuasions in the past 4 years to deliver substantial benefits to residents. Some of the significant achievements that come to mind include the creation of Lake Macquarie’s own economic development company ‘Dantia’. Dantia is charged with driving the future of our economy into a diverse, innovative hub where business and investment underpin Lake Macquarie, the largest regional city in NSW. During this time we have seen Northern NSW soccer relocate to state of the art sporting facilities in Speers Point. Footpaths and cycleways have been extended to promote the liveability of our city. The redevelopment of Glendale is well and truly underway and it is essential that we continue to strategically shape the city in the way that enhances the quality of life for all residents.

There is still more to deliver, like the creation of the roundabout at Cameron Park, which is ongoing and has been driven by Labor’s own Northward Councillor Brian Adamthwaite.

My labor team at this election consists of a good mix of incumbent councillors and fresh faces, who have a breadth diverse skillsets and experience. Together the Labor team will be advocating for the creation of a Hunter Regional Transport Authority and the completion of Glendale Interchange. Labor will be promoting Smart City initiatives and facilitating the development of new facilities in growing areas for our young people and the wider community to access. We will be supporting and extending our libraries as valuable community hubs for all to enjoy. Labor will hold community forums annually throughout Lake Macquarie to consult and listen to the entire community. We will continue to protect the lake and improve flood mitigation measures and Labor will continue to promote programs that focus on improving opportunities for our young people and First Australians.

Local Government is primarily about service delivery and that is what Labor will continue to deliver. Labor will build on our successes of the last 4 years and continue to shape Lake Macquarie to ensure it is everything that it can be. There is still more work to do and I ask that you give me the opportunity to be your Mayor in September and vote for my Labor team.

Councillor Kay Fraser

Labor Mayoral Candidate for Lake Macquarie

Walking is the first pursuit of individual freedom to which the very young aspire, it is the last mobility measure that our elderly fight to hang on to in their twilight years. Walking in a very raw sense is freedom. Freedom to pursue what you want, when you want it and it is often described to be as natural as breathing.

Footpaths and cycleways allow us to explore our natural environment in all of its forms. Walking is fundamental to living a healthy lifestyle and that is why access to footpaths and cycleways is vital to making the most of all that Lake Macquarie has to offer.

People in Lake Macquarie walk to relax and clear their head after a busy day, they walk to exercise, they walk to socialise with family and friends. It is for these reasons that it is essential that Lake Macquarie City Council aim to provide additional footpaths and cycleway infrastructure in the years ahead. This infrastructure is crucial to maintaining our quality of life here in Lake Macquarie.

Having served for three terms on Council I am proud of our achievements during that time and the improvements those achievements have made to people’s lives. When I look at the Fernleigh track and the footpaths and cycleways that line our lake from Swansea to Warners Bay and around to Toronto on the western side of the lake – I am proud of the progress that we have made.

If elected as the Labor Mayor, during my first term I will seek to use technology and design innovations in pathway construction so that more community linkages are provided sooner than the existing 2013 footpath strategy allows. As our population grows, it is essential that those of us in Lake Macquarie who walk for their health, walk to enhance their happiness and those who walk to escape the grind of everyday life have a network of convenient footpaths and cycleways that enhance connectivity.

Around Australia we face an ageing population and an epidemic in lifestyle illnesses such as obesity. I also believe that Council can and should provide recreational infrastructure which offers people the opportunity to improve their health and lifestyle. It is vital that we provide people in Lake Macquarie with strategic infrastructure that is socially inclusive and enhances the quality of life for healthy sustainable communities.

I have requested a briefing from the General Manager of Lake Macquarie City Council on the future use of these new and emerging innovative technologies. Recycled concrete, brick, asphalt, glass and shredded car tyres are being used throughout Australia on projects to provide economic, environmental and social benefits. Lake Macquarie has a unique opportunity to deliver greater lengths of footpaths within existing budgets in a cost effective and sustainable way through using these technologies.

As Labor’s Mayoral Candidate for Lake Macquarie at the election in September, I am seeking your vote and support in helping us enhance the connectivity within our city.

Councillor Kay Fraser

Labor Mayoral Candidate for Lake Macquarie City Council

The Lake Macquarie Labor Party have launched their Local Government Campaign for the 2016 election being held on September 10. The event was held at the Charlestown Bowling Club and was attended by party members, supporters, candidates and members of State and Federal Parliament both past and current.

Speaking at the event was Senator Jenny McAllister, Swansea State MP Yasmin Catley and Lake Macquarie Labor Mayoral Candidate Cr Kay Fraser.

Cr Fraser congratulated current Mayor Jodie Harrison on a most successful term as Mayor and thanked sitting councillors for the vast number of achievements that as a team the Labor Party have been able to implement. Cr Fraser then turned to the vision for the future highlighting a number of broad strategies for the region as a whole and then individual ward based projects.

State member of parliament Yasmin Catley reminded attendees that with only four weeks of campaigning ahead and only two weeks until prepoll opens, it is important that members, supporters and candidates alike hit the ground running and engage in as many conversations as possible with voters.

If you would like to assist with the campaign please email kayformayor@gmail.com.

Cr Kay Fraser will stand as the Australian Labor Party's Mayoral candidate at the upcoming September 10 election for Lake Macquarie City Council.

Councillor Fraser has indicated that she will continue to build on the successes of council under the stewardship of Labor Mayor Jodie Harrison and will deliver:

Sound financial management - delivering for the futurePromote economic growth and tourismEnrich our libraries as community hubsUpgrade our sporting and recreational facilities Protect our lake and our suburbs

The Australian Labor Party will run a full compliment of candidates in each ward at the upcoming local government election for Lake Macquarie City Council. The following individuals have been endorsed by the party in pre-selection contests held earlier this year.

Mayoral Candidate : Cr Kay Fraser

North Ward East Ward West Ward

Cr Brian Adamthwaite Adam Schultz David Belcher

Cr Barney Langford Christine Buckley Garth Weiley

Amanda Pearce Kim Langford Madeline Bishop

Mark Howells Matt McMullen Val Schaffer