‘It’s a wake-up call’: re-elected Liberal wants braver Wollongong Council

A majority of councillors managed to retain their positions in Wollongong with the election results declared on Wednesday, with one Liberal calling for his new colleagues to be braver.

The councillors to lead both halves of the Illawarra were declared on Wednesday with only three of the 12 positions up for grabs switching hands in Wollongong.

Labor had a 0.7 per cent drop in overall council votes, but were able to retain Janice Kershaw (Ward 1), Tania Brown (Ward 2), David Brown (Ward 2) and Ann Martin (Ward 3) while adding Richard Martin (Ward 1) and Linda Campbell (Ward 3).

The Independents took a 6.1 per cent hit, however, former CEO of Port Kembla Port, Dom Figliomeni was able to hold on in Ward 3.

Gordon Bradbery was re-elected as mayor on Monday, edging Labor’s Tania Brown.

Wollongong Mayor Gordon Bradbery secured a third term after edging out Labor candidate Tania Brown. Picture: Facebook

Conversely, the Greens and the Liberals propped up their vote by 3.1 and 1.5 per cent respectively, however, neither party was able to increase their number of councillors in the chamber.

Liberal Cameron Walters was returned alongside John Dorahy, with the pair to be joined by Elisha Aitken who snuck home in Ward 3.

Mr Walters was first elected as a Ward 3 councillor in 2017 before moving north where he was able to win re-election thanks to a strong showing in his new hometown of Helensburgh.

“I’ve been living in the ‘Burgh for just shy of two years,” he said.

“The people wanted someone to come along and listen to what they wanted done in the community and I was more than happy to have them reach out to me.

“We are happy with the result delivered. To see Elisha Aitken elected in Ward 3 with a nearly two per cent swing shows she’s done the work.

“We were aiming for a second seat in Ward 2, but we weren’t able to prevail so there’s work to be done there. We haven’t seen the last of Rhonda Cristini, she put up a hard-fought fight.”

Mr Walters said the tight mayoral race indicates the city wants actions, adding he has earmarked a few projects he wants pushed through in the next term.

“The mayoral result was a very close one,” he said.

“It’s an indication council needs to be brave. It’s a wake-up call for the mayor, but also for all councillors we should really be pushing hard to do what’s best for the city.

“I have made it clear in the past that we are sometimes too risk averse. We need to be a city of innovations and we failed to deliver that at times in the last term.

“We focused on three priority areas: infrastructure, transport and services. It’s not flashy, but it’s what we need to be investing in.

“I want to see Helensburgh library fast tracked. It’s set for 2027, but I think that’s too far out. Warrawong library also needs to be fast tracked and we need to invest in roads – we need to look at North Cliff Drive and the connections into west Dapto.”

The wards were also confirmed south of Lake Illawarra with five new councillors elected on to Shellharbour Council.

Surfer Chris Homer caused a political splash in becoming the new Independent mayor of Shellharbour City Council at the 2021 elections. Killalea State Park, Shell Cove, NSW. Picture: Dylan Arvela

The newbies included Maree Edwards (Labor, Ward A), John Davey (Independent, Ward B), Ljupco Stefanovski (Labor, Ward C), Colin Gow (Independent, Ward C) and Jacqueline Graf (Independent, Ward D).

They will join Kellie Marsh (Independent, Ward A), Peter Moran (Independent, Ward B), Moira Hamilton (Labor, Ward B), Rob Petreski (Labor, Ward D) and the new Independent mayor Chris Homer on council.