Our community is stronger when everyone has a say. That’s why I believe our local voices should be at the heart of every decision. Democracy works best when we listen to the people who live, work, and care for our area.

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As a community independent, I’m not tied to party. This means I can focus entirely on what matters most to us—our local priorities. Instead of being answerable to a party, community independents consult with and report back to the local people. Together, we can make sure decisions are made in the best interests of our area, not a party agenda. It is about putting people first—giving power back to locals, standing up for fairness, and protecting our environment for future generations.

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Some of the local things the community has told me they want to prioritise are:

 

Third-Party Merit Appeals 

WA is the only state where the community does not have the power to challenge planning decisions that affect our neighbourhoods, like big developments that don’t suit local needs. This gap in the system undermines local planning policies and the community’s right to protect their amenity. The absence of the right to appeal leaves local residents with limited options to ensure that development decisions align with their needs and values.

 

Evidence from other jurisdictions shows that third party merit appeals lead to better decision-making, increased public trust, and promotes compliance with planning policies. By empowering communities to have a voice in planning decisions, we can ensure that development contributes to the long-term wellbeing of all Western Australians. It’s time to introduce TPMARs in WA to enhance the planning process, protect local interests, and improve outcomes for our communities.

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Revitalising Town Centres

Locals want to see our high streets, like Old Perth Road, as bustling hubs of community activity, but too often, they are lined with vacant, deteriorating shops that detract from the vibrancy of the area. These empty spaces contribute little to the local economy or community life, yet there’s no meaningful incentive for property owners to activate them. There are many reasons why high streets are struggling, but Western Australia must look at the policy levers available to encourage property owners to activate their buildings and disincentivise leaving them vacant.


Upgrades to Community Facilities:

Our local spaces that bring people together are the heart of our community. Yet, in a safe seat, local needs often take a backseat when it comes to state government investment.

Jubilee Reserve is a perfect example. This vital community facility is in desperate need of funding from the state government, but it continues to be overlooked. Investment in spaces like Jubilee Reserve is essential to support the activities, connections, and opportunities that make our neighbourhood thrive.
 

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People Friendly Streets:

Our community envisions streets that are walkable, shaded, and designed for walking, scootering, and cycling. Unfortunately, this vision often clashes with the state government’s approach, which continues to prioritise cars above all else.

 

Take Lord Street, for example. The current state government plan proposes converting it into a dual carriageway to funnel traffic onto Guildford Road. This widening would come at a significant cost—houses, trees, and front yards could be lost. This approach doesn’t align with our community’s vision for the future of our suburbs. These major roads should be co-designed with the community to create streets that reflect our shared goals for safer, greener, and more liveable neighbourhoods.

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Community Batteries:

Our community has been calling for community batteries to help lower power bills and make our area more sustainable. It’s a smart way to share our resources and keep our energy local. Unfortunately there has not been support at the state level

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