Meet your Blacktown Council candidates for the local government elections
BLACKTOWN City residents are set to hit the polls on September 10 when they cast their votes for the 2016 local government elections.
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BLACKTOWN City residents are set to hit the polls on September 10 when they cast their votes for the 2016 local government elections.
WARD 1: Acacia Gardens, Kellyville Ridge, Parklea, Riverstone, Rouse Hill, Schofields, Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Vineyard and parts of Marsden Park, Colebee and Quakers Hill
JESS DIAZ, Liberal, Dean Park
Occupation: Solicitor
I’ve been practising law in the Blacktown area for 30 years. I have been an officer of many community organisations including a two-time president of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia. My vision is to make Blacktown a more modern city and develop it into a real progressive city, not dictated by developers but by our own initiative. I seek a third term on council to continue this advocacy for Blacktown City to be transformed into a modern metropolis and serve the local community.
Running mates: Walt Smith and Claro Guinto
CHRIS QUILKEY, Labor, Quakers Hill
Occupation: Taxi operator.
I have chosen to run for Blacktown Council because I believe in the importance of council providing excellent services and facilities to residents and ratepayers, and not privatising those services; so I won’t allow the reckless sell-off of council’s parks, swimming centres and childcare services. I will encourage expanded library services and cultural activities and attract major investment. My experience in policy development and implementation will assist in the policy decisions councillors are required to make.
Running mates: Moninder Singh, Mohammad Haroon.
KURT HIPPE, Blacktown Residents’ Voice, Schofields
Occupation: Insurance Investigations business owner.
Blacktown Council needs a shake-up and it’s time the community had a voice. It’s time to take the politicians out of local government. We need better services for our community and representatives to do what they say they will do. Stop the overdevelopment of our suburbs with high-rises without first putting in place adequate public infrastructure such as parks and off-street commuter parking stations. We need to improve parks and recreational areas and stop selling parks to developers.
Running mates: Stephen Stocks and Cheryl Ramsden.
*Ward 1 candidate Yelda Chembirika did not supply information. Also running on the ticket is Maggie Papallo, Fe Hayward, Piyasoma Medis, Ishika Masud, Zahid Mushtaq, Sumati Nagpal and Harmandeep Singh Pannu.
WARD 2: Glenwood, Kings Langley, Colebee, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Marayong and parts of Blacktown, Quakers Hill and Seven Hills
JAYMES DIAZ, Liberal, Blacktown
Occupation: Solicitor.
I narrowly missed out when I ran for Greenway in 2010 and 2013. Despite these setbacks, I am committed to contributing to the community and stand for election on Blacktown Council. I hope to serve the community by bringing to council a more strategic vision that will enhance Blacktown’s development as a city of the future. I also believe that it is important that I advocate for Blacktown to have a fair share of state and federal initiatives that can provide better employment opportunities for the people of Blacktown.
Running mates: Joe Russo and Magdy Sekla.
AARON WRIGHT, Christian Democratic Party
Occupation: Media and communications.
As an active member of the local community, I am passionate about building together — with greater community consultation — a better, cleaner, and safer community for my family, your family and all who call Blacktown their home. We need better access to well-maintained council facilities, especially in older wards like Ward 2 that seem to have missed out. I stand as a voice and a pair of hands ready to work for the residents in Ward 2 who I believe have been neglected.
Running mates: Ju Kang and Larissa Wright.
CHRIS WINSLOW, Greens, Glenwood
Occupation: Publications manager
The Greens have a plan for a better Blacktown -— one that is more liveable to meet the needs of people, not property developers. Suburbs should be more like villages, with engaging public spaces and safe places for businesses. If elected, the Greens will begin a pilot project for garden waste bins, better manage street trees, double council ranger numbers, spend $500,000 more a year maintaining small shopping centres and fight to make the Parklea Markets redevelopment a sustainable precinct.
Running mates: Kirsten Gibbs and Rob Vail.
GINO BELCASTRO, Blacktown Residents’ Voice, Blacktown
Occupation: Owner of Kings Langley Auto.
The main reason for running in this local government election is to make a difference. Get rid of politicians that say one thing and do another. Roads, rates, rubbish and infrastructure — how easy is that — yet the politicians still manage to stuff it up. We will be more concerned with the needs of our community not how many junkets or sister city trips we can bill Blacktown Council for. So vote 1 Blacktown Residents’ Voice on September 10 and let your voice be heard.
Running mates: Rosie Bonham and Tony Nasso.
LEO KELLY
Occupation: Retired, fulltime councillor.
I am recontesting Ward 2 to contribute my wide range of experience in dealing with community aspirations. I believe in a platform which allows me to have face-to-face contact with all sectors of the community to deliver policies protecting local government childcare operations, library services and education opportunities for all. I support the provision of first-class sport and recreation facilities, free senior access to swimming centres and preserve the historic and proud name of Blacktown Council.
Running mates: Julie Griffiths and Judy Thomas.
JONATHAN HANDLEY, independent, Glenwood
Occupation: High schoolteacher.
Ward 2 will experience a great deal of change and population growth over the coming term of council, with the planning of Badgerys Creek airport and development of Parklea Markets and apartment blocks near Bella Vista station most notable. The residents can expect as a local and independent councillor, I will work to ensure their way of life is improved and not diminished. For instance, I have an online petition calling for a curfew on Badgerys Creek. I will work to improve traffic flow, public amenities and support local sporting clubs.
WARD 3: Toongabbie, and parts of Arndell Park, Blacktown, Doonside, Huntingwood, Prospect and Seven Hills
Where to vote in Ward 3: BERT Oldfield Public School, Seven Hills; Blacktown Boys’ High School, Blacktown South Public School, Blacktown West Public School, Doonside Technology High School, Doonside Public School, Doonside High School, Evans High School, Blacktown; Grantham Heights Uniting Church hall, Seven Hills; Marayong Public School, Marayong South Public School, Metella Road Public School in Toongabbie, The Hub at Mt Druitt, St John’s Ambulance Hall, St Michael’s Primary School at Blacktown and The Hills Sports High School, Seven Hills.
JAMES STOJANOVSKI, Blacktown Residents’ Voice, Seven Hills
Occupation: Production manager and quality assurance co-ordinator.
Community services and infrastructure need to be further developed. There is an ageing population in this area suffering. My platform is to deliver pensioner discounts on council rates in perpetuity as our council is financially very stable. I would like to ensure proper consultation on development in the actual best interests of residents becoming the forefront of any decisions delivered.
Running mates: Grant Ennew and James Platter.
AMELIA KERRIDGE, Greens, Blacktown.
Occupation: Lawyer
Blacktown is a fantastic and diverse area that’s undergoing significant changes. We want a council that promotes a sustainable and liveable Blacktown through transparent decision making. We want a council that supports its community by providing services to those most in need of it, and ensures that infrastructure and amenities are easily accessible. We want a council that supports businesses making environmentally friendly decisions.
Running mates: David Bate and Ben Hammond.
FREDERICK BRILLO, Liberal, Frederick Brillo
Occupation: Engineer
I embody the family oriented and entrepreneurial spirit of our community. I started venturing into small businesses at a very young age and am very familiar with the needs and difficulties faced by small business owners. I am a professionally trained engineer and will be very valuable in overseeing the works program that council is called upon to assess. I am married and have four young children, with three school age attending primary school in
Blacktown.
Running mates: Nelchor Varquez and Ferdie Sutrina.
SUSAI BENJAMIN, Labor, Toongabbie
Occupation: Public servant.
I stood up for the name Blacktown City and won’t allow it to change. I’m committed to building on Labor’s sporting achievements of upgrading many facilities and the introduction of defibrillators. I will continue to get it right by balancing the maintenance of existing infrastructure and building new facilities. I will continue to support the expansion of the library service and cultural activities (supporting local
festivals).
Running mates: Kathie Collins and Satish Kumar.
RUSS DICKENS, independent, Blacktown
Occupation: Vet.
Ward 3 candidate and incumbent councillor Russ Dickens did not supply information. Also running on the ticket is Bob Vincent and Sandy Benson.
MONIR MONIRUL ISLAM, independent, Blacktown
Occupation: Entrepreneur and part-time teacher.
My platform is based on my five points plan for Blacktown which are;
1. Support and establish community base centre.
2. Push for enough parking in the Blacktown city centre specially surrounding hospital area.
3. Support green bin collection to reduce the waste.
4. Propose for concessional council rate for pensioners.
5. Help and support local small businesses and residents for job growth in the area.
WARD 4: Bungarribee, Colebee, Doonside, Eastern Creek, Glendenning, Minchinbury, Mt Druitt, Prospect, Rooty Hill, Woodcroft and parts of Arndell Park, Dean Park, Quakers Hill and Huntingwood.
Where to vote in Ward 4: BLACKTOWN Boys’ High School, Blacktown Christan Reformed Church, Blacktown West Public School, Colyton Public School, Doonside High School, Doonside Public School, Eastern Creek Public School, Glendenning Public School, Hebersham Public School, Marayong Public School, Marayong South Public School, Minchinbury Public School, Mount Druitt Public School, Plumpton Public School, Quakers Hill Public School, Rooty Hill School of Arts, Rooty Hill Public School, St Andrew’s Primary School Marayong, William Dean Public School at Dean Park.
LINDA SANTOS, Liberal, Blacktown
Occupation: Lawyer
As a long time practising lawyer, I have an intimate knowledge of the problems faced by women and young people. I will focus my attention on early intervention and community services if I become a Blacktown councillor. I am married and have three adult children and two
grandchildren.
Running mates: Jackie Li and Bill Krishna.
STEPHEN BALI, Labor, Doonside
Occupation: Incumbent Blacktown Mayor and accountant.
I am standing on my record of delivering improved services for Blacktown City. I increased the pensioner rate discount, reduced the infrastructure backlog, improved transparency and consultation and am a strong defender for the community in challenging flawed proposals of the world’s largest incinerator and Badgerys Creek Airport. Labor will
lobby to have a multi-faculty university in Blacktown.
Running mates: Carol Israel and David Villegas.
KITTU RANDHAWA, independent, Glendenning
Occupation: Procurement contractor.
I see how local government impacts residents where Blacktown is being left behind while neighbouring cities get investment. Regardless of which major party is in state or federal government, our councillors are rarely seen advocating for us. Any suggestion of investment in this area, this council has a default position of saying ‘no’. I want to see that change, for investment to come to Blacktown, grow our economy so
people can live and work in the area.
JACQUELINE DONALDSON, independent, Ropes Crossing
Occupation: High schoolteacher.
We are running on a platform of experience and balance. I have been a councillor for eight years, the last year as deputy mayor. During that time I have worked hard for the community and some of the highlights have been my vote being the vote that kept Blacktown called Blacktown. I facilitated the new graphics in the rates notices that make it easier
to understand how rates are spent.
Running mates: Joy Romana and Peter Kerr.
ASHISH KUMAR, Blacktown Residents’ Voice, Blacktown
Occupation: Manager at pharmaceutical company.
I would like to provide more safety and security to my community especially near parks or schools to keep our kids safe and to provide good services to my community in terms of their daily life such as the timely removal of rubbish, sweeping of roads every second day and getting full value of council rates that the community is paying. I would like to make sure that ramps are available at shopping complexes for the physically challenged people or parents with strollers.
HELEN WOODS, Greens, Doonside
Occupation: Teacher.
I am a TAFE teacher and doing absolutely all I can to keep one of the best educational systems ever created safe from threats of closure and privatisation by governments led by the two big parties. I am aiming to bring the Greens’ message of community services and amenities, clean politics, social justice and a renewable future to the people of greater Blacktown.
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