2024 council elections: Meet the candidates for Wollondilly Shire Council
The candidates hoping to join Wollondilly Council have been named ahead of the upcoming local government election. See the list of who’s running and their thoughts on local issues to help you decide your vote.
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The 2024 local council elections are almost upon us, with less than a month to go before residents take to polling booths across NSW.
In Sydney’s southwest, there are nine spots up for grabs at Wollondilly Shire Council with a number of candidates, new and returning, hoping to join the ranks for the next four years.
We have pulled together profiles on the running candidates to outline who they are, their priorities if elected, and their thoughts on high-density housing.
Wollondilly Shire Council is separated into two wards, the North and East ward. Find out which ward you belong to here.
NORTH WARD
John Van De Putte - Independent (Team Purple)
About me
I am a community, disability and road safety advocate running as an independent for Team Purple in North Ward. My promise to the Wollondilly community is to represent them with integrity, commitment and compassion and to achieve fair, responsible and accountable decisions of Council. I am particularly keen to have open councillor briefings commenced.
What do you believe are the main issues facing Wollondilly?
As a developing shire, Wollondilly is suffering from growing pains and from the pressure to balance the lifestyle that our unique communities expect and the need for additional housing and supporting infrastructure. As well, the serviceability of our road system and maintenance of council assets remain critical issues which need to be substantially addressed during this term of council.
How will you address the lack of a 24-hour police station in Wollondilly?
Policing resource requirements are a NSW state matter. However, I appreciate that it affects our community as a whole. In the interim, I will push for increased fully staffed patrol cars in the area until such time as the new police station is built at Wilton.
What will you do to mitigate the impact of developments on native flora and fauna?
Currently, it is NSW state-led developments that are putting pressure on our local wildlife and their habitat. As a Wollondilly councillor, I will use whatever powers and resources available to me to ensure the appropriate protection and preservation are implemented and enforced.
Do you support high-density housing in Wollondilly?
The Wollondilly LGA does not currently meet the benchmark required for high-density housing as it lacks the supporting infrastructure requirements, especially wastewater and public transport infrastructure, and emergency and disaster management. If elected, I will be pushing for existing developments to have the necessary, long-term public infrastructure; I will not support short term band aid fixes such as the trucking wastewater and sewage.
Alison Dench - Independent
About me
I am running as an Independent for the North Ward of the Wollondilly Shire. I am a former local government executive director, an artisan and keen advocate for the residents of Wollondilly. I want to ensure Wollondilly is a great place to live, work and visit and this is based on the principles of the community voice in council, supporting ideas, empowering council staff and being transparent and accessible to my community.
What do you believe are the main issues facing Wollondilly?
Roads and verge maintenance and a community voice that is heard in council. With the challenges of growth and rising cost of living we need to make sure the right services and support are provided to our community at the right time. This will mean working collaboratively across the three levels of government and with the community voice, backed by evidence based data, to ensure resources and services are delivered to address needs.
How will you address the lack of a 24-hour police station in Wollondilly?
Wollondilly urgently needs a manned police station, and I am committed to advocating for this.
To achieve this, we must provide compelling, evidence-based data that highlights the growing need for this service. Council can play a key role in gathering and presenting this data and the community voice, to demonstrate the increasing need for enhanced policing in our community.
I will work closely with the Local Area Command to explore innovative solutions to ensure a strong police presence both at the Picton station and throughout the Wollondilly area - this will include advocating for a new local command in the area. By working collaboratively with our community, we can make a strong case for a manned police station and ensure that our area has the effective policing it deserves.
What will you do to mitigate the impact of developments on native flora and fauna?
I will advocate for developments to have an implementation plan to address their impact on native flora and fauna that works in sync with the current Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan. Developments will need to detail how they can minimise their environmental impact and demonstrate tangible benefits to our local wildlife.
Collaboration across all levels of government is crucial for monitoring and implementing effective programs and initiatives that mitigate development’s effects, and Council will have a major role in doing this.
I’m committed to establishing dedicated road verge crews to enhance safety for our local wildlife. Our roads pose significant risks to our wildlife in our region, with rising road strike deaths highlighting the urgent need for action. These crews will regularly clear road verges to prevent hazards, install and maintain wildlife-friendly signage and ensure maintenance practices protect animal habitats and endangered flora species.
By keeping verges clear and safe, we can reduce wildlife casualties and road accidents, helping to preserve our natural beauty and ensure Wollondilly remains a sanctuary for wildlife. Investing in these measures is essential for protecting our environment and maintaining the balance between development and conservation.
Do you support high-density housing in Wollondilly?
I believe that while high-density housing can be part of our community’s growth, it must be approached carefully and handled thoughtfully.
Infrastructure first - Any form of housing, including high-density, needs robust infrastructure — like roads, schools, healthcare facilities, walking and cycling tracks, open spaces and especially public transport to support residents effectively.
Curbing urban sprawl - By concentrating development in the right place and in specific areas that have had good community input, high-density housing can help manage urban sprawl. This approach can also preserve green spaces and reduce pressure on rural areas.
Smart planning - To ensure high-density housing is successful, it needs to be well-planned. This means addressing potential issues such as small narrow streets, too much density in one area and ensuring that this density doesn’t lead to negative social impacts.
Extreme weather considerations - Living in a peri-urban area like Wollondilly comes with challenges during extreme weather events, such as bushfires and flooding. It is critical that planning for high-density housing addresses evacuation routes, heat wave management, and emergency response to ensure residents’ safety. We must avoid creating situations where high-density development exacerbates risks during emergencies.
High-density housing can be beneficial if it is thoughtfully planned with necessary infrastructure and safety measures to support our community effectively and safely.
Matt Gould - Independent
Former Wollondilly Shire Council mayor Matt Gould launched his re-election campaign early this month on social media, after having the “absolute honour and privilege” of representing the “beautiful shire as mayor” over the past three years.
He did not respond to questions from this publication and is planning on running for mayor again next term.
“I care deeply about Wollondilly and during my time on council I’ve worked tirelessly to be a strong advocate for our residents and to deliver on the commitments I made to our community when you entrusted me to represent you,” Mr Gould wrote in a post announcing his bid for the upcoming election.
Priorities
If re-elected, he promised to “continue to make fixing our roads our number one priority, as well as continuing to invest heavily into new and expanded community facilities right across the shire.”
Mr Gould stated the “other fundamental challenge facing the shire is managing the massive growth pressures we are under. So much of what makes Wollondilly such an amazing place to live is our village character, strong sense of community and the ethos of “rural living” and I will fight tooth and nail to retain it across as much of the shire as possible.”
He also noted that Wollondilly council had an opportunity to “shape” the significant growth planned in the area over the next 20 years.
Outlining his vision for the shire and stance on growth in the area
“My vision for the shire is that the overwhelming majority of our growth should be in our state mandated growth area at Wilton supported by all the major infrastructure needed to properly support a population of that size and that we should work to retain the village nature of as much of the shire outside the growth area as possible.”
“This allows us to both do our fair share to address the housing crisis and meet our state housing targets whilst simultaneously protecting the character that makes Wollondilly so special.”
“Where we do have growth within our existing towns and villages it needs to be consistent with the character of the area (including block size), supported by the community and come with appropriate supporting infrastructure and I am proud that throughout my time on council I have consistently moved motions either rejecting or significantly modifying development proposals which do not meet this standard.”
Hilton Gibbs - Independent, running under Matt Gould
Hilton Gibbs is a former councillor and has served two terms at Wollondilly Shire Council. He is running as Matt Gould’s number two on the ticket, in ‘Group C’ for the North Ward.
Mr Gibbs did not respond to questions from this publication, and similarly had his bid for re-election announced through social media.
Hilton Gibbs has “lived in The Oaks for over 25 years and cares deeply for the north of the shire”.
He has an “extensive history volunteering within the community, having been president of The Oaks Community Chamber of Commerce and involved with a number of local sports clubs.”
Mr Gibbs’ priorities lie in “improving community facilities” and fighting hard for upgrades to a number of sporting fields during his time in council. He was “instrumental in securing the funding for the new amenities building and grandstand currently being built at The Oaks, as well as the recently refurbished youth court at Oakdale.”
Blair Briggs - Independent, running under Matt Gould
Blair Briggs was a Wollondilly councillor during the last term and has served the council for eight years. He is running as number five on Matt Gould’s team in ‘Group C’.
About me
I’m a small business operator in the agri-tourism hospitality space, and have been a councillor for eight years. My aim will be to consolidate gains made over recent years, ensure the ongoing and progressive front facing aspects of council continue, and execute my duties in governance ensuring we seek best practice and outcomes across all our departments. Making no promises that can not be kept, leave that to others.
What do you believe are the main issues facing Wollondilly?
Advocating the sequencing of infrastructure delivery during the sustained growth periods. Overviewing equitable delivery of local community infrastructure. Supporting staff and ensuring they are resourced appropriately to deliver to the community.
How will you address Wollondilly’s need for a manned police station?
Ensuring that incidents reporting is submitted as it’s this matrix that will ultimately determine a need and then subsequent action by the state government. Organic population growth will support this as well. From my position it’s smart advocacy, not endless notices of motions that just become wallpaper.
What will you do to mitigate the impact of developments on native flora and fauna?
Ensure the protection around the recognised areas is part of development requirements, continue to work with state which ultimately sets the legislation in place for protections. At a local level, it’s education and the building of civic pride around achievements thus far and bringing the community along with us through the advocacy, aims and aspirations to ensure protections are front and centre.
Do you support high-density housing in Wollondilly?
“No, I do not.”
Mr Briggs stated that he was OK with “medium” density close to transport, preferably rail.
“Until there is electrification, a bypass, overpasses and so forth, it is absurd to consider high-density given the reliance on private vehicle transport in this area.”
Beverly Spearpoint - Independent
The former councillor from Warragamba is hoping to defend her position in council and has also thrown her hat in the ring as a mayoral candidate in the September election. She is heading up group B for the North Ward as their lead candidate. Ms Spearpoint did not respond to questions from this publication.
EAST WARD
Matthew Deeth - Independent
About me
Over the past close to three years, I’ve had the privilege of representing our beautiful shire as an East Ward councillor, as well as the honour of serving as deputy mayor. I’ve lived in the shire my entire life, growing up in Thirlmere, where a strong sense of community and love for our home was ever-present.
When I was first elected, I encountered a council that had neglected our roads and community facilities for decades. However, since then we’ve made remarkable progress with record investments in our roads, sports grounds, and community halls.
Examples of how I’ve demonstrated this during my term include refusing rezonings for housing where there is no plan for infrastructure and is not consistent with the character of the area, continuing to increase funding for roads to a record $30m this year, and successfully increasing road and vegetation drainage management crews to maintain our roads.
I’ve also advocated for securing grant funding from state and federal MPs for roads and community infrastructure and successfully commenced employment lands rezonings to bring jobs closer to home.
But there is still so much work to be done and that is why at the upcoming election I’ll again be asking for your support for my team as your voice on council. Our priorities moving forward are:
- Make every dollar count & limit rate rises
- Retain what we love - our rural lifestyle, vibrant towns & villages
- Fight for our fair share of infrastructure funding
- Open up more employment areas for jobs closer to home
- Improve services making it easier to access council how you want
- Cut red tape and make it easier to do business for small businesses
What do you believe are the main issues facing Wollondilly?
Wollondilly faces significant challenges in the future, particularly with the state government’s plans for growth at Wilton and Appin. It’s essential that we fight for our fair share of funding for roads, schools, hospitals, and community facilities, all while ensuring that our existing villages are not overdeveloped or forgotten about.
How will you address Wollondilly’s need for a manned police station?
Wollondilly is in need of a Police Area Command with the significant growth it will experience over the next four years. Law enforcement is the direct responsibility of the state government. Unfortunately, little planning has occurred for how this critical infrastructure will be provided with the current situation of no manned police stations currently existing in the shire. I believe that we need to be providing a convincing business case and utilising every advocacy tool at our disposal to get a commitment out of the state government to provide a PCA for Wollondilly to service the growth.
What will you do to mitigate the impact of developments on native flora and fauna?
Our disease free koalas are a priceless asset that must be protected. I am proud that I have always voted to protect our koalas, knocking back inappropriate housing rezoning where they impact koala habitats. I also have been a strong advocate for the establishment of a koala hospital, which the state government has now provided funding to be established at the UNSW Brownlow Hill campus. I will also continue to push for council to deliver its koala management plan which will outline council’s strategic approach to the preservation of the critically endangered species.
Do you support high-density housing in Wollondilly?
No. High-density is not appropriate in Wollondilly due to the lack of enabling infrastructure and also the many hazards including fires and floods. What is appropriate is a good mix of housing typology that accommodates changing needs for our community, allowing multigenerational homes, and ageing in place. This is something that council is addressing through its housing strategy that I am proud to have contributed to.
Benn Banasik - Independent
About me
Benn Banasik has experience working in all three levels of government and was previously the owner and operator of a business. He is running for mayor in the upcoming election and has experience serving as a mayor in the past. He also works as Wollondilly state MP Judy Hannan’s political adviser.
“I am a cancer survivor and advocate for our area in a number of ways and am proud to have a self funded independent campaign offered as an alternative to the current administration.”
What do you believe are the main issues facing Wollondilly?
Roads and the flood study are the two biggest issues I have heard while doorknocking and speaking to the community. We have more than 800km of roads and the previous council had no plans to bring on asphalt, hot mix or verge maintenance on board. My team is focused on bringing those services on board, expanding the council’s work teams and focusing on the flood risks we know, not a desktop study that will force everyone off insurance.
How will you address Wollondilly’s need for a manned police station?
I am consistent with what Judy Hannan has asked for and that is a new police area command located in Picton, which would increase the presence of police. Councillors need to work with the state and federal members regardless of their party alignment. As an independent, I would work with all sides of parliament to get this done.
What will you do to mitigate the impact of developments on native flora and fauna?
This is also a state issue based on the current Cumberland Plains Conversation Plan, but the key to this is a review of the area and the organisation of the lands under one single authority would be the best outcome in my opinion. A new national park, similar to Dharawal National Park that I successfully helped lobby the former O’Farrell government for, would be logical for the southern forest and Cumberland plain area that stretches from Appin all the way to Kangaloon. Councillors have been silent on this, and I would like to see council support the state MP in her call for the park.
Do you support high-density housing in Wollondilly?
I support housing where it is needed and where there is infrastructure. Units on top of shops in Tahmoor is good, units in the middle of rural lands with no infrastructure is bad. I am not against any development and would look at it on merit.
Suzy Brandstater - Independent
About me
Suzy Brandstater is a former councillor and independent candidate hoping to get another term in council by joining the race in the upcoming election.
“Some of the things that I will do include continuing to increase the record investment in roads from my previous term in council. As well as continuing to fight urban sprawl, advocating for infrastructure and for jobs for our kids.”
What do you believe are the main issues facing Wollondilly?
The main issues facing the Wollondilly are the lack of infrastructure, a seriously degraded road network, only one public high school, no hospitals and a lack of local employment. One of my main concerns is also the lack of a Picton bypass. This is something that can only be made possible by the state government, but I will continue to advocate on that absolute necessity.
How will you address Wollondilly’s need for a manned police station?
One of the things that I have been long advocating for is a manned police station in Picton. This is something that I will continue to noisily advocate for in my next term of council, using any means available to me as a councillor including using the media and writing to relevant government ministers.
What will you do to mitigate the impact of developments on native flora and fauna?
So much of the native habitat for our native flora and fauna is being destroyed by the fast-tracked developments in Appin. The decision to re-zone was taken out of the council’s hands and mandated by the state government. I will not be in favour of any re-zoning that further destroys our native habitat.
Do you support high-density housing in Wollondilly?
I do not support high-density housing the Wollondilly. We do not have the public transport, medical facilities, public education facilities, dedicated policing, a Picton Bypass and all the necessary infrastructure that could support high-density housing.
Paul Rogers - Independent (Team Purple)
About me
Paul Rogers has been a Bargo resident for almost 40 years and is connected to my community through various means including being a deputy captain and life member of the local RFS brigade.
“I have priorities to see the community supported with a collaborative and sustainable council. I have shown during my first short term that I know how to achieve change through the bureaucracy with positive outcomes for strategic planning and annual cost savings in legal expenses in the region of a million dollars.”
What do you believe are the main issues facing Wollondilly?
Competing priorities for growth and infrastructure, lack of transport options including upgraded roads to a serviceable road network and greater opportunities for community input into the council’s decision-making through open briefings and other such transparent means.
How will you address Wollondilly’s need for a manned police station?
Resources such as police stations are allocated on strict business cases that require objective data to succeed, during my first term I made significant changes to how council does business in creating this data including my March 2023 motion to introduce a Neighbourhood Watch Wollondilly Program and June 2023 ensuring that all vandalism of council assets was formally recorded with police, ensuring that the intelligence supports additional police resources for Wollondilly.
What will you do to mitigate the impact of developments on native flora and fauna?
Much of the large-scale development is outside of the council’s direct control. However, I have shown in my first term that I am prepared to use all the powers available to us at a local level with various options that have been supported around a significant increase in the contributions payable for subdivisions from $20 000 a block to over $90 000. Further, I have sought that the state considers carefully the risk to human life and called for the scrapping of the Appin development due to bushfire risk. I further have brought to the attention of councillors and staff the clear control we have in relation to public utility infrastructure. I will continue to use all powers available to councillors and make my fellow councillors aware of what they have direct control of if re-elected.
Do you support high -ensity housing in Wollondilly?
Wollondilly is not currently suitable for high-density housing due to a severe lack of infrastructure and, as such, I don’t support high-density housing.
Aaron Colley - Independent
Aaron Colley is a member of the Liberal Party but due to the colossal screw up by the party’s HQ earlier this month, his team are listed as an independent group. He is heading up ‘Group B’ in the East Ward in the election.
Polls for the local government elections will open on Saturday September 14, with eligible voters able to submit their votes a week earlier at pre-polling locations. Voting is compulsory and failing to do will result in a fine.
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