MAYOR:    Mark Bennett (IND)

NORTH WARD:   Ben Collins (LIB), Elizabeth Krassoi (IND), Ross Williams (IND)

SOUTH WARD:  Justine McLaughlin, (IND) Zac Miles (LIB), Jim Sanderson (IND)

Hunters Hill Trust asked the candidates a series of questions before the election.  We applaud the new Mayor’s commitment to preserving our heritage, character and mature tree canopies. He said:

‘diligent and professional review of development proposals within the municipality needs to remain rigorous to ensure our streetscapes, environment and liveability is not compromised. The removal of trees in the name of progress simply must stop and we need to work harder to find better solutions.’

Here is the full response that Mark Bennett provided:

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The Trust recently invited all the candidates to answer 7 questions:

1. Background of each candidate
2. Their goals and vision for Hunters Hill and how they hope to achieve them
3. How they will respond to increasing pressures of development in Hunters Hill so as to preserve its heritage and character, including its mature tree canopy
4. If they support an upgrade of the heritage listing in the LEP to include more buildings from the 20th century
5. Their position on the Gladesville Shopping Village
6. Political party membership
7. How their preferences will be distributed.

Check the verbatim record of what they said:

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The Trust is not supporting any particular candidate for mayor or councillor.  We urge Trust members to consider the records of those sitting councillors who are standing again and to carefully examine the information that has been provided by all the candidates:  see details below.

We want representatives on Council who will work to preserve the garden character of Hunters Hill and who will support the conservation of its unique natural and built heritage.  We want councillors who will take a stand against inappropriate development and who will not be overawed by the dictates of a pro-development State government.

A    P R O – D E V E L O P M E N T  C O U N C I L ?

A number of candidates have an interest in property development and real estate. Through preference swapping between groups there is a real possibility that a pro-development lobby could end up with a majority on Council. The Trust strongly believes this would not be in the best interests of Hunters Hill.  Former councillor and long-time Trust member Phil Jenkyn has analysed the candidates and their groupings.  See Phil’s article:  http://www.discoverhuntershill.com.au/hunters_local_news.asp?id=2348

THE CANDIDATES

The Trust has put together the following from what has been provided by the candidates on the electoral commission website.  The fact that some candidates have provided little or no information about themselves or their policies clearly is something that speaks for itself.  Listed below is a summary of what was provided, plus a little more from various other websites.

To download information about the candidates for:

    Mayor – click here

    North Ward – click  here

    South Ward –  click here

To check which ward you are in – click here

For other information about this election – click here.

M A Y O R A L   C A N D I D A T E S

Richard  Quinn

• Born 1957, lives in Hunters Hill (25 years)
• Member of Liberal Party
• Director of Development St Joseph’s College
• Currently Deputy Mayor and has been a councillor and since 1999, with service on many committees
• Despite party membership is an independent on HH Council
• Application witnessed by Joanne Maree Wilson.

 Peter Astridge

• Lives in Hunters Hill
• Current councillor and for the last 17 years with service on many committees
• No selling of community owned land to developers, replace playgrounds removed from North Ward, restrict traffic along Ryde Road, remove graffiti promptly, continue to fight against aircraft noise, proper consultation with the community over use of parks, speed up DA processing times.
• Application witnessed by Garry John Billett.

Meredith Sheil

• Lives in Hunters Hill
• Sitting councillor with service on committees
• Medical Practitioner, company director, scientist
• Strong focus on preserving, protecting and enhancing the heritage, character, sustainability, vitality and amenity of Hunters Hill.
• Application witnessed by Sue Hoopmann.

Ross Sheerin

• Lives in Hunters Hill (over 45 years)
• Sitting councillor and since 1987, Former Mayor (1993 – 1995)
• Valuer, Member of Australian Property Institute
• Listed as self-employed on information sheet, listed on web as principal of Belle Property Gladesville
• Application witnessed by Michael Gallina of Belle Property.

N O R T H  W A R D:  Group A

Peter Astridge

• See details under Mayoral candidates

 Bassam Batshon

• Born 1956, Lives in Gladesville, resident for 41 years
• Civil Engineer, Project manager Railcorp
• Wants to ensure council is run effectively and ensure better management of contractors working in the streets
• Application witnessed by Betty Di Pasqua

Peter Warner

• Born 1939, lives in Hunters Hill
• Retired, Held a management position with RTA
• Served on Public Transport and Traffic Committee
• Wants to improve footpaths, reduce charges and graffitti
• Application witnessed by Garry John Billett

NORTH WARD: Group B

Richard Quinn

• See details under Mayoral candidates

Mark Bennett

• Born 1952, lives in Hunters Hill
• Company director, Psychologist, JP
• Interested in effective management of HH and wellbeing of aged populations
• Application witnessed by Sue Hoopmann

Gary Bird

• Born 1973, lives in Gladesville
• Member Liberal Party
• Marketing Professional
• Application witnessed by Rajesh Thakorlal

 NORTH WARD Group C

Peter Velo

• Lives in Hunters Hill
• No details given
• Application witnessed by Ross Sheerin

Nenad Vitas

• Born 1988, lives in Woolwich
• Member Liberal Party
• Employed by Henry Bucks
• A proclaimed “passion for community service since high school”
• Application witnessed by Joanne Maree Wilson

Trent Eddington

• Lives in Hunters Hill
• No details given
• Application witnessed by Ross Sheerin

 Murray Butt

• Lives in Hunters Hill
• No details given
• Application witnessed by Ida Osaux-Blessing.

Charles Amos

• Born 1949, lives in Woolwich
• Member Liberal Party
• Accountant, lived in HH for 24 years.
• Past president HH Rotary
• Past Chairman of Caroline Chisolm Retirement Village
• Member HHC Roads and Traffic Committee
• Application witnessed byDavid Alexander Brown.

Julian Claxton

• Born 1973, lives in Hunters Hill
• Member Liberal Party
• Independent security advisor,  skilled in counter-espionage.  Regularly engaged in confidential tasks
  across the globe.  Uses his travel experience to develop understanding of global security trends.
• Application witnessed by Gillian Tam.

Joan-Mary Hinds

• Born 1940
• Principal Hinds Workforce Research
• Background in teaching, social welfare
• Committed to preservation of unique community atmosphere and historic environment of HH
• Application witnessed by Mark Bennett.

SOUTH WARD  Group B

Ross Sheerin

• See details under Mayoral candidates.

Vince Messina

• Born 1965
• Member Liberal Party
• Company director
• Application witnessed by Ross Sheerin.

 Mat Sherman

• No details given
• Application witnessed by Ross Sheerin.
   

 Justine McLaughlin

• Born 1969, has lived in Hunters Hill for 14 years
• Solicitor
• Past president of HH Public P&C & HH Preschool Association
• Active in HH community
• “Passionate about preserving the historic nature of the area and pledges to work hard to help its unque heritage”
  Application witnessed by Sue Hoopman
• Application witnessed by Maill Bennett.

Meredith Sheil

• See details under Mayoral candidates.

Jason Lin

• Born 1976
• Pharmacist with The Good Chemist retail pharmacy
• Served on Council 2004-2008
• Application witnessed by Sue Hoopman.

SOUTH WARD  Group D

 Zac Miles

• Lives Hunters Hill
• No details given
• Application witnessed by Francis Tan. 

Anastasia Joyce

• Lives Hunters Hill
• No details given
• Application witnessed by Justin Burt.

Annabel Croll

• Lives in Huntley’s Cove
• No details given
• Former Councillor
• Listed on web as Sales Executive Belle Property Gladesville
• Application witnessed by Michael Gallina, Principal, Belle Property Gladesville

 SOUTH WARD:  ungrouped

Jim Sanderson

• Born 1953, lives in HH
• Engineer, design and management.  Law graduate doing a masters in planning law
  Involved in the fight to save HH High
• Wants to do what he can to prevent concrete monstrosities
• Application witnessed by Joo Won Maeng