Inner West Council: Meet the 10 new councillors

Ten fresh faces were elected to the Inner West Council in December. Here’s your guide to them and what they have planned for their time at council.

It was all change at the December local elections in the inner west.

Labor claimed a small majority while a whopping 10 new councillors were elected across the council.

The Inner West Courier sat down with the 10 fresh faces to learn more about them, what drove them to stand for election, and what issues they want to tackle during their term in office.

Liz Atkins (Stanmore)

Ms Atkins is the new Greens’ councillor in the ward of Stanmore.

She has lived in the suburb since 2000 – currently residing in Stanmore with her wife and four cats – and enters politics with a wealth of experience across public service.

She also received a Public Service Medal in the 2013 Australia Day honours.

“I was a public servant for 33 years, with my last role being deputy CEO at AUSTRAC, the Australian anti-money laundering agency,” Ms Atkins explained.

“I’ve got a lot of experience in policy development and in running an agency, setting priorities and achieving them within budget.”

Ms Atkins entered local politics in part to continue working for the public and her community.

“I was a public servant for so long because I believed I was making a difference, and after retirement I became involved in action around climate and refugees and joined the Greens,” she said.

“I wanted to find a way to continue to make a difference, and I see council as the level of government where we can actually affect what happens in our community.”

De-amalgamation, climate change and affordable housing, among others, are priorities for Ms Atkins.

“Preparation of a business case on de-amalgamation is a very high priority after the significant ‘yes’ vote on December 4,” she said.

Better waste management and recycling, improving and creating green spaces, and reviving local night-life are also targets.

Jessica D’Arienzo (deputy mayor, Ashfield)

Ms D’Arienzo is the new Labor deputy mayor and one of two new representatives elected in Ashfield.

She has lived in Dulwich Hill for 11 year and comes to council with a legal and trade union background fighting to win better working conditions for nurses and midwives. She also works for Anthony D’Adam, Labor member of the NSW Legislative Council.

“I am a lifelong community campaigner, feminist, and social justice advocate,” Ms D’Arienzo said.

“I am deeply committed to progressing social justice issues at the community level and serve on various boards and committees, including as Deputy Chair of Biyani House Revesby Women’s Shelter, which focuses on providing crisis accommodation to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.”

Ms D’Arienzo explained that she connected and bonded with her community through the Save Dully Action Group, which defeated the state government’s urban renewal corridor plan.

“We stood together to protect the heritage and character of our community and won,” she said.

She was compelled to stand for election to build inclusivity, strengthen community bonds and make the inner west an even better place to live.

“I aim to strengthen the bonds that connect our communities, from making our main streets great places to meet, our beautiful parks, sporting fields, pools and libraries places to relax, play and learn, and our footpaths and roads safe to walk, ride and drive.”

Dylan Griffiths (Ashfield)

The second new face from Ashfield, Mr Griffiths is a new councillor for the Greens and has lived and worked in the area for 25 years.

“I also work at the University of Sydney, having previously worked for the National Tertiary Education Union,” Mr Griffiths said.

“I’m an urban planning postgraduate, a renter, an Ashfield pool regular, a rock climber and a cyclist.”

Mr Griffiths has been an active campaigner in the local area, part of the group that campaigned for a vacant lot on Holden Street to be turned into a park.

“I’ve also recently led a campaign that won a new $1.20 entry rate into council pools for social security recipients, like those on the age pension and jobseekers,” he said.

Mr Griffiths was propelled to run for council in part to represent the voices of renters and young people.

“I stood for election because I thought residents deserved a progress candidate who would oppose privatisation and outsourcing of our services, stand up for the environment, strive to make the inner west more affordable for working people, and actively engage with council basics – especially planning and infrastructure,” he said.

Mat Howard (Marrickville)

Mr Howard is one of two Labor councillors in Marrickville, which has three completely new councillors.

“I live in Marrickville with my husband, two adopted sons, and our border terrier, Rocky,” Mr Howard said.

“We immigrated back to Australia from Canada seven years ago and really want to give back to the extraordinary community that has supported us so much.”

His background is in theatre and arts education, and he said that he’s observed the positive influence it can have on young people

“It also taught me to be creative, collaborative, to think outside the box and to make every dollar count,” Mr Howard.

For the past seven years he has worked for Jo Haylen, the state member for Summer Hill.

“I have also been an LGBTQ+ advocate for many years, particularly for LGBTQ+ parented families,” he said.

Mr Howard explained that he has always admired local government and the opportunities to support people and connect to local public services.

“Our local libraries, childcare services, parks and sporting facilities are so important to local residents and families, particularly in the pandemic,” he said.

“I’m passionate about social justice, our local environment, arts and culture, and ensuring our local services are as accessible and inclusive as possible, and I hope to bring that passion to my work on council.”

Justine Langford (Marrickville)

Ms Langford of the Greens is another new face in the Marrickville ward and joins the council with a wealth of experience in public service.

“I’ve lived in the inner west for the last 30 years, worked as a Commonwealth public servant for the last 25 years, specialising in media and technology,” she said.

Ms Langford is a delegate and section councillor with the Commonwealth Public Service Union and joined the Greens in 1999.

“I’m a community activist, passionate about the environment, local democracy, social justice and building a strong, vibrant community,” she said.

Ms Langford wanted to stand for election to try and give back to the community.

“I’ve spent so much of my life here and it’s given me so much, and being a councillor is a great way to give back,” she said.

“I care about the community and want to listen to residents, and ensure their voices are heard and that their needs are addressed and that they are consulted and treated with respect.

“I want to bring the Greens principles of grassroots democracy, ecological sustainability, peace and nonviolence and social justice to this role.

“I want to ensure that our Council is a national leader on climate action and is fair and decent in every way. So many exciting challenges!”

Philippa Scott (Leichhardt)

Long-time ‘Leichhardt-ian” Ms Scott is one of two new Labor faces in the ward.

“I’m a lifelong resident and I’ve lived here my entire life, and I love the inner west,” she said.

Ms Scott trained in law and worked as an immigration lawyer at the Salvation Army legal centre, which provides a humanitarian legal service to people in immigration detention.

“That role certainly informed my desire to continue to help people in the community,” she said.

Ms Scott now works as strategy manager at UTS and schooling in the ward is something she’s both proud of and focused on continuing to improve.

“The eldest goes to Sydney Secondary College, which is our local comprehensive public high school, and I am passionate about making our local schools the first choice for families in the inner west,” she said.

Ms Scott is keen to engage with the community as much as possible, delivering for residents across the ward and suburb,

“I’m keen to engage with the community and hear what they need and what their issues are, and then we‘re able to sort of really focus on and deliver on that,” she said.

Supporting local businesses, especially those in the hospitality and live music sector, is just one of the areas that Ms Scott wants to focus on.

“I’ve felt a real sense of grief and sadness during the pandemic, about the kind of vibrancy in our community that we’ve lost,” she said.

“So I’m focused on just doing everything that we can to try to help the businesses in that sector and have fun in the inner west in a safe way, the way that we used to.”

She’s excited to get to work alongside her fellow 14 council members and also believes that the 10 new faces elected can bring energy and skills.

“I’m really confident that the 10 new people elected are going to be a force for good in the future,” Ms Scott said.

Kobi Shetty (Balmain)

The one new face in Balmain, Ms Shetty of the Greens said that she wanted to give back to her community and strive to make it an even better place to live.

“I feel very lucky to be part of this community, and wanted to be able to advocate for my neighbours to make sure that this area is a great place to live,” she said.

“We’ve got these awesome, thriving little community hubs on our high streets, and we need to protect them.

“So many people are busy juggling work and families and other commitments, it’s nice to be the person who can help to keep them informed if there’s something happening in their neighbourhood that’s going to have a real impact on their day to day lives, and make sure they get to have a say.”

She has three children in primary school and teaches ethics at a local school.

“I spent my twenties living abroad and when I moved back to Australia I worked in fraud prevention in financial services, looking after a 24 hour card fraud team for several years,” Ms Shetty said.

“I was looking for a career change and have been studying community development and sustainability for the last few years part time.

“I think it’s important for us to protect the environment and look after vulnerable communities, so I’ve spent a lot of my free time advocating for refugee rights and working on local efforts to improve sustainability.”

Ms Shetty is passionate about ensuring streets are safer, improving local cycle networks, making the area more sustainable and greener, and restoring Balmain Town Hall, among others.

“I think our message really resonated and I want to thank people for putting their faith in me to be their elected representative on council – it means a lot,” she said.

Chloe Smith (Stanmore)

A councillor for the Stanmore ward, Ms Smith of the Labor Party is a lifelong resident of the area.

“I’ve been a lifelong resident of the inner west, currently renting in Newtown with my partner and our West Highland terrier,” Ms Smith said.

“I’m a proud product of our local public schools and was an avid netball player with my local club.

“I love the inner west, it’s one of the best places to live and work in Australia. I’m invested in our community’s future, as a young person and a lifelong resident.”

After graduating from Sydney Uni, Ms Smith worked for nearly five years at the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU). Since leaving the AMWU last year, she’s started a campaign role in the NSW parliament.

She’s keen to see the council be both progressive and practical.

“As the level of government closest to the community, local government presents so many exciting and unique opportunities to make practical and important improvements to people’s lives,” Ms Smith said.

“Councillors should be focused on the issues that matter and on achieving real outcomes for the community.”

While also working on “big picture issues like climate change and affordable housing,” Ms Smith is eager that the council “gets the basics right”.

“I want to make sure our Council is focused on the issues that matter, and on achieving real outcomes for people,” she said.

“Maintaining public infrastructure like roads, footpaths, and cycleways, managing waste collection, and supporting our parks, community sport and recreational services.”

Tim Stephens (Leichhardt)

Labor’s Dr Stephens is a lifelong resident of Haberfield, and lives with his wife Anna-Maria and their two children. A lawyer and academic, he is a professor of international law at the University of Sydney where he teaches and researches across several areas of the discipline, with a focus on maritime law.

He is also a keen cyclist and longstanding member of the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club, while similarly enjoying kayaking, with the trip from Rodd Point to Cockatoo Island a particular favourite.

Dr Stephens stood for election to support the lead Labor candidate for Leichhardt-Gulgadya ward, Philippa Scott.

“Philippa ran a positive and energetic campaign and the Labor team received strong support at the election,” he said.

“I was also inspired to stand for election by outgoing councillor Lucille McKenna OAM, who has been a tireless advocate for the community.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Philippa and all councillors to represent the interests of residents, ratepayers and the Inner West community.”

Dr Stephens hopes to promote sustainability and health while in office, as well safeguard the suburb’s history and heritage.

“I’m particularly committed to promoting a greener and healthier inner west, including by improving active transport options for our community,” he said.

Zoi Tsardoulias (Marrickville)

Zoi Tsardoulias (pictured) is keen to make a difference for the ward and her two children. Picture: Supplied

Ms Tsardoulias is the daughter of working-class Greek migrant parents who sought a better life in Australia, having arrived on the Patris in the 1960s and settling in the inner west.

A single parent of twin eight-year-olds, Ms Tsardoulias has a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a major in economics and finance, worked in a bank for 10 years and successfully run local businesses; including a Subway franchise on Marrickville Road, Steel Park in Marrickville, and many other cafes.

She also worked for Sophie Cotsis, NSW MP for Canterbury, for over four years.

“My late husband, Emanuel, was a councillor on the former Marrickville Council from 2008 up until his passing in 2014,” Ms Tsardoulias said.

“He would have to be my greatest motivator. Through his work, I was able to witness first-hand the difference he made in people’s lives.

“Emanuel approached every task with enthusiasm, optimism, and commitment and I believe I can also do the same and honour his legacy.”

Ms Tsardoulias is also eager to make a difference and set an example for her children.

“As a single parent of two children with special needs, I want to make a difference in their lives, too,” she said.

“I want to teach them that regardless of what life might throw at you, or the particular challenges they might face, anything you put your mind to you can achieve.”