Alderman Sims said, “If elected as Mayor of Glenorchy City Council I will work towards better community engagement, addressing safety concerns, immediate transport solutions, more responsible financial and environmental management.
A vote for the current mayor, is a vote for the same…
Alderman Sims plan focuses on:
Transport
Community Consultation,
Working better with other councils,
Establishment of Precinct & Project Forums,
Economic & Environmental Development,
Safety & Social Issues.
Considered, balanced and measured holistically using evidence-based best-practice information.
Transport
Achieving a more realistic and timely answer for the growing traffic congestion in the area, by pinpointing more sustainable & user friendly solutions based on expert advice.
- Driving real change via stages within the allocated funding for the short term, all the while working towards the long-term objectives in parallel with the State Government which, for example, could include the use of smaller electric passenger vehicles as an interim measure.
- Develop a better working relationship with all levels of Government to deliver more efficient & sustainable public transport preferably utilising the existing transit corridor & it’s assets, while ensuring we don’t miss out on this investment for another 10 years because of disjointed agendas. i.e Exploring more recent, emerging, sustainable and proven technology like rapid electric buses, trackless trams etc.
- Moving on it now while working closely with all key stakeholders, including the neighbouring councils and those driving the key economic and social developments in the area such as Mona, DEC, Showgrounds, KGV & YMCA. In planning for the future, we need to provide a vision for the so far, strategically neglected Elwick Precinct Activation.
Ald Sims said, “Technology such as light rail is fast becoming old and out of reach. It has been 10 years of progress since this discussion commenced, 10 years arguably wasted due to what much of the community view as a ‘pet project’ and what I’d professionally call a massive oversight. The reason it’s been stalled is because its expensive and not robustly supported as the first choice by the State Government, nor most leading transport experts from all over the world who’ve assessed it in great detail. We need to act faster and work smarter both for, and with the community on transport, to drive more suitable and timely action for our local area.”
Community Consultation,
Establishment of Precinct & Project Forums
Working better with other councils
Ald Sims would also like to embark upon improving both social and ethical issues, as well as council communication and culture overall.
“By approaching our community with meaning, honesty and integrity, bringing them inside the fold and genuinely listening. We need to establish better ways for our community and the experts to be heard, meaningful consultation instead of leaders viewing engagement as a tool to tick a box.
By opening the mayors door, actually listening and facilitating better channels of communication for the community. Such as establishing more regular and robust ‘Precinct Forums’ that will foster trust, respect, and deeper relationships between all parties. Community Precinct Forums held in different locations of the municipality ensures everyone can engage in the decisions that impact us most.
This type of engagement model would greatly assist our staff and community to genuinely have a say and better identify local needs while addressing current objectives.
Working with neighbouring councils means getting more done and faster, not always prioritising cost savings or staff cuts. We have plenty of room to work smarter while also promoting shared thinking across the cities and towns using a much wider pool of skills. More bang for our buck is the plan, not less resources for those cities already lacking. Spend the savings on doing more not less. This action also promotes the State Governments Strategic Collaboration and Governance measures, while assisting to raise the standard for all involved.” Ald Sims said.
Economic and Environmental Development
Safety & Social Issues, and how it all links holistically
Ald Sims highlighted that,
“Our local community should not suffer because of the recent changes to our city.
We are moving forward and that's a fact we can’t ignore, but can drive better. The emergence of many new and major opportunities are currently knocking at our door - right now. This ‘Urban Renewal’ can be guided in an environmentally sustainable way that is opportunistic for all, and not just a perfectly timed gentrification for investors alone. Lets work together in holding all accountable for delivering the broader goals in our community, alongside assessing the new developments and what they can provide for our area socially and environmentally too.
Our rapid urbanisation of the city is in addition to climate change, housing shortage and serious safety issues. These barriers are highlighting new challenges to address that require a responsible forward plan capable of urban resilience.
Let’s link our community health agenda to our community space plans. A healthy city is a place where the community can access basic infrastructure and services along with public spaces in safety and comfort.
Another major neglected priority I note, is that we are currently in the early stages of planning the activation of the Elwick precinct and Showground more specifically, and are already in the process of developing most of the industry across the coastal area of our municipality. These are all major economic, environmental, social and investment opportunities that should already be thoroughly measured holistically and well-coordinated to drive positive outcomes for our city. This high level leadership and output is lacking under the councils current culture.”
In addition, Kelly believes that,
“We have the beginnings of a world class community-building, entertainment, sporting, recreation, industry and retail precinct under development right now and the investors I’ve met with want to work with us to give back to the community. Many of their calls to the current mayor have been left unanswered and many have ended up at my aldermanic door, knowing I can do little more in my current role. They are getting desperate and it’s not fair on any of us, the community more so, who are at the highest risk of missing out on the most now and into the future.
Council should be leveraging these aspects better while providing a whole of precinct vision that facilitates good governance and responsible leadership for all. This will help to ensure these local investments are driven to be more beneficial and user friendly for our grassroots community. Not only this, but to also avoid anti-social behaviour and the duplication of infrastructure/services, while assisting in the planning for better transport in the area.
It ‘s a fine recipe with top-quality ingredients that we as a community are very lucky to have delivered to our door. But if not followed through by the right cook, the community will be left chewing the bone…
A dusty rotten one they have dug up and buried many times before!
All of these ducks have lined up organically and bring with them the opportunity for a massive increase in local jobs. But it needs to be assessed properly and fast, without pet projects or career driven political bias holding us back.
We need real independent thinkers, leaders, not followers endorsed by those who arguably left us in this very position. People who listen, with fresh experience and modern understandings that can lead this wave of dynamic change with high-level integrity and honest conviction. Not those simply following in the footsteps of the past or who are on the political career path.
Take a look around you and compare our city with the neighbours, the grass is indeed greener. We do not need another 10 years of stalling our progress in the Northern Suburbs, we deserve better. It's time to move forward faster, & preferably up the currently wasted transit corridor.
It can be done, let’s do it together…
I will champion all of that and bring along the necessary drive, skills & experience needed for the role if elected as Mayor of Glenorchy City Council.”
End
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2021 - 2022 Media Release: Alderman Kelly Sims, Immediate Release
+ Available for Interviews UR
Authorised by Martin Watkins, 1/4a Bilton Walk Claremont Tasmania 7011
