Willoughby independent candidate Larissa Penn says swing against Liberals ‘no surprise’

The independent who could snatch Gladys Berejiklian’s historically safe Liberal seat of Willoughby says community anger at major government projects is behind the swing.

As the Willoughby by-election result rests on a knife edge, independent candidate Larissa Penn says the swing against the Liberals in the “historically safe seat” shows the community’s frustration with NSW government overriding local planning controls to press ahead with major projects.

The gap between Ms Penn and Liberal rival Tim James is just 257 votes, with thousands of postal votes yet to be counted.

“The swing we have seen in Willoughby is a reflection of a range of serious issues that have been ignored over several years,” she said.

“Given the way in which government decisions are being made around funding the community cannot help but feel they are being overlooked simply because we a historically safe seat.”

Less than 300 votes separate Ms Penn and Mr James. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A major part of the Willoughby resident’s campaign has centred on resisting the government’s Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link projects.

Ms Penn said she was not surprised by the support for her campaign because “it was evident that people are angry and they want to see change”.

“The state government is driving fast-paced densification in Willoughby, yet little thought is going into the provision of the amenity and services we desperately need to support growth,” she said.

“Our parks are threadbare, our schools are full and our hospital systems are under strain. Even our sewerage systems are beginning to fail under our historic suburbs. There is an urgent need for sustainability.”

Larissa Penn with supporters Gabi Tan and Josie Penn. Picture: Christian Gilles

Ms Penn said Mr James may also have been less popular with voters because he lived in Mosman, which is also home to the biggest local lobby group for the controversial projects.

“Tim lives in Mosman. That’s obviously outside the Willoughby electorate … I don’t think he’s really that connected into the community as yet,” she said.

Ms Penn agreed the community was also beginning to question the lack of women in NSW politics.

“I think the women issue is an issue particularly as Gail Giles-Gidney, our former mayor, was overlooked for preselection and there was no valid reason for that,” she said.