2024 council elections: List of candidates for Canada Bay Council profiled

Candidates for Canada Bay Council have been named ahead of the upcoming local government election. See the list of hopefuls and the issues set to determine the election.

Local election candidates for Canada Bay.

The 2024 local council elections are drawing closer, with less than one month before residents head to the polling booths across the state.

In Canada Bay, there are eight spots up for grabs and a number of candidates, new and returning, are throwing their hats into the ring.

We have reached out to each of the candidates running for Canada Bay Council to find out their priorities, why they are running and what they think of high density housing.

Labor candidates

Andrew Ferguson – Lead Labor Party candidate

Andrew Ferguson – Labor Party.

About myself

For the last 12 years I have worked full time in the insurance industry. However, my passion is to represent residents and our community. I do this at night and weekends and I am dedicated to it. Residents need a strong voice.

I am particularly pleased to be leading a team of candidates who all live in the local council area and who are equally dedicated. I am active, accessible and accountable and if I am elected mayor, council will change for the better.

What is the biggest issue facing Canada Bay?

I think the biggest issue is the need for council to simply focus on core business i.e. repairing our roads, footpaths and all our local neighbourhood parks and not just the big ones for ‘out of area’ visitors. Residents don’t need endless photos of a mayor or VIP cutting ribbons. They want a mayor and council that avoids waste, improves efficiency and is value for money.

Do you support high density housing in Canada Bay?

I understand that Sydney needs to increase housing supply and provide hope to those unable to afford a home. I support this. However, if I am successful in being elected mayor I will vigorously oppose any density unless infrastructure for education, medical services and more open space is delivered.

Why should locals vote for you?

There is a need for change. The council has suffered reputation damage and we need to restore trust. Too many people were silent when things were ‘off the rails’.

Residents need a mayor who will speak up and be on their side. I am the only candidate who opposed the excessive and unfair 33-45 per cent increase in council rates.

David Mansford – Labor Party candidate

David Mansford – Labor Party

About myself

I have lived in the Concord area for over 40 years and I grew up here. I have a young family and my kids attend local public schools. I love sport and I am active in helping out with junior sport with local cricket, football and golf clubs. I have worked as a manager in the media industry for 20 years.

What is the biggest issue in Canada Bay?

Getting council to cover the basics: fixing footpaths and roads, maintaining parks, playgrounds and BBQ areas, improving the amenity for residents.

Do you support high density housing in Canada Bay?

Canada Bay already has a lot of high density housing in Rhodes, Abbotsford, Mortlake and Breakfast Point. High density housing only works when it is supported by appropriate infrastructure like schools, public transport, shops, parks and open space.

Why should locals vote for you?

I am a local who is dedicated to helping my community. With Andrew Ferguson’s team I will help clean up council and we will be active, accessible and accountable.

Vivek Goyal – Labor Party candidate

About myself

I have resided in Rhodes with my young family for approximately 10 years, having previously lived in Strathfield since 1987.

Born in Sydney, I come from a large family migrating to Australia in the early 1970s with origins from Punjab in North India. I am a practising lawyer and currently work in-house at a government agency.

What is the biggest issue in Canada Bay?

Having spoken to residents during our campaign the message is simple. They want a council that will get back to basics and address the core issues impacting them and the LGA.

These include making sure our roads and footpaths are fit for purpose, investigating practical solutions for traffic congestion and safer pedestrian flow in hotspots, regular maintenance and upgrade of existing local infrastructure and council property, street lighting, crime and safety, and opposing unjustified hikes in council rates.

Do you support high density housing in Canada?

Sydney needs more homes and housing choices being made available. However, our community needs to decide where. We must save our suburbs.

Most importantly I do support increased density but it must be accompanied by appropriate infrastructure, amenities and high quality public transport. Ultimately, this is a responsibility of the NSW State Government, however council needs a strong voice. Too often our local council has no voice. Canada Bay needs a strong Mayor with real authority with government.

Why should locals vote for you?

I strongly believe residents expect elected officials to pursue and support their interests in the best way possible. If successful, I will bring fresh perspective and innovation to the workings of council. Having a legal background comes with ideals of attaining the highest professional and ethical standards to hold civic office

I will work conscientiously to make Canada Bay an even better place for future generations. Most importantly I am part of a team led by a Mayoral candidate Andrew Ferguson who is widely recognised as the hardest working Councillor in Canada Bay.

Other Labor candidates include Maria Cirillo, Katheryn Zerk, Jessica Handley and Xiaojun Li.

Liberal candidates

Michael Megna – Lead Liberal Party candidate and current mayor

Michael Megna – Mayor and Liberal Party

About myself

I’ve been on Drummoyne and Canada Bay Councils for 34 years.

I was mayor of Drummoyne for six years and of Canada Bay since January.

What is the biggest issue facing Canada Bay?

The biggest issue would be overdevelopment policies of the State Government and traffic congestion.

Do you support high density?

Overdevelopment is an issue. The State Government wants to put over 16,000 people in an area around the Homebush/Strathfield end of Canada Bay. We will have to provide 25 per cent of the accelerated development in Sydney. The load should be borne around Sydney, not just in Canada Bay. The state isn’t providing infrastructure such as more schools, in fact their proposal will close two schools to become development sites. No upgrading of Concord Hospital to meet the demand of an influx of 16,000 plus people. Traffic will only get worse with the extra high rise.

Anthony Bazouni – Liberal Party candidate

Anthony Bazouni – Liberal Party

About myself

For more than 23 years, Anthony Bazouni, has been committed to providing the community with the highest level of legal service as a lawyer.

He believes the best lawyers have values which include, among others, compassion, empathy and a genuine concern for their clients and the community.

Mr Bazouni is a resident of the City of Canada Bay and practices law in the local area.

Other Liberal candidates include Hugo Robinson, Eunbong Lee, Mastourah Meuross, Christopher Burt and Samantha Andreacchio.

Hugo Robinson – Liberal Party

Greens candidates

Charles Jago – Lead Candidate

Charles Jago – Greens party

About myself

A councillor since 2017, candidate for mayor and long-term local. Mr Jago’s key local concerns include planning, transport, education, libraries and sustainability.

He has worked in the energy, information technology, adult education and community development sectors.

Neil Smith

About myself

A Canada Bay resident for 32 years and engineer working locally in the rail industry. Mr Smith is also a long-term environmentalist and keen cyclist.

Pauline Tyrell

About myself

During her 12 years as a Greens councillor on Canada Bay Council, Ms Tyrell championed residents’ rights and promoted community programs and the environment. She successfully lobbied for a new primary school for Concord West and is now active in Canada Bay Bush care and choir.

Anthony Adams

About myself

A sustainability specialist in the finance industry who has recently completed a Masters in Environmental Science.

Tailoi Ling

Dr Tailoi Ling – Greens party candidate

About myself

A 50 year Canada Bay resident and an ophthalmology scientist. Ms Ling is active in the community, and her concerns include the environment, more infrastructure to support housing and urban food production. She says: “Council offers the opportunity to improve the wellbeing and health of all in Canada Bay.”

The Greens councillors provided a party response to the questions.

What is the biggest issue in Canada Bay?

The Greens have identified housing as the biggest issue in this issue. Many people are concerned about the cost of living in this election for existing homeowners. The concern is the proposed major increase in height and density which will affect the liveability and traffic of the area.

Do you support high density housing in Canada?

We support some additional density in our area. We don’t support high-rise residential development that’s more than about six storeys because it does not create a liveable environment.

The fact is that large high rise buildings are significantly more expensive to build, have significantly more expensive operational costs, are more likely to have ongoing structural issues and are alienating spaces for residents. They do not create a community, simply a dormitory for workers.

Why should locals vote for you?

The Greens offer innovative policies and promote new directions, with a flexible practical approach. Mayoral candidate and two-term councillor Charles Jago and Dr Tailoi Ling have the experience and skills to contribute to solutions on the council and are backed by a strong and qualified team.

Canada Bay Council has recently had a problem with corruption in connection with developers. Unlike the major parties, the Greens don’t take donations from companies at all.