Liberal candidate Felicity Wilson backs council mergers in North Sydney and Mosman
LIBERAL North Shore by-election candidate Felicity Wilson has hit the campaign trail and is backing the controversial push for council mergers.
Mosman
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THE drive for council mergers will be pushing ahead under the Liberal Party’s newly chosen candidate for North Shore.
Felicity Wilson was selected last week to contest the by-election and has hit the campaign trail on message.
“I support the Government in its decision to amalgamate councils,” Ms Wilson said.
“There’s significant efficiencies and financial savings that we can achieve.
“I think it’s much better governance.”
North Sydney and Mosman councils are fighting the merger with neighbouring Willoughby — and the move has been staved off, thanks to legal action.
Community groups, such as Save Our Councils Coalition, are also lobbying against the plan, which has seen the merger of other councils across the city.
“It’s important to some people,” Ms Wilson said.
“I spent hours this morning in Mosman doorknocking businesses.
“One business raised amalgamations with me as a question mark. Everyone else (talked about) traffic, transport, parking.”
The tunnel bypassing Mosman is one of the biggest issues in the election and was back in the spotlight last week when Premier Gladys Berejiklian made a major announcement on the next step towards delivering the project.
And Ms Wilson is certain it will happen.
“Yes, definitely,” she said.
“When Gladys commits to something she delivers it.
“It will get done.
“Remember we had a Labor government for 16 years who refused to invest in the north shore.”
Ms Wilson was born in Cessnock and lives in Neutral Bay with husband Sam.
She is involved in Rotary, rowing and netball clubs.
If elected she would be one of the youngest members of parliament at 34.
RAIL SUPPORT
GREENS candidate Justin Alick is calling for a rail line to solve the lower north shore’s traffic woes.
The State Government last week announced a $77 million geotechnical investigation for a road tunnel bypassing Mosman.
But the Greens say it won’t solve the crippling congestion.
“Anyone who has tried driving across the Harbour Bridge or along Epping Rd during rush hour will tell you that road tunnels don’t prevent congestion,” Mr Alick said.
“An expanded rail network and investment in buses and cycling infrastructure will serve the North Shore far better than another tunnel to a traffic jam.”
The Greens are launching their transport plan at Mosman Art Gallery on March 26 at 2pm.
LAVENDER BAY PROMISE
PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has guaranteed an old harbourside rail line will remain in public hands.
Community activists have been campaigning to turn the Lavender Bay track into a park inspired by the New York High Line.
Ms Berejiklian gave an “iron-clad guarantee” this week that the Coalition will never sell the land and ensure it remains a community asset in the event it is not needed for rail use.
“This is a unique part of the lower north shore and we will ensure it remains in public hands,” she said.
Ms Berejiklian also announced the Government will establish a committee to investigate creating a scenic walking track on the land.
It will invite local community members alongside North Sydney Council and Destination NSW to join the group.
The line known as the Lavender Bay rail siding runs from Waverton to near Luna Park. It is currently used to store trains in between morning and evening peaks, and for crew training.
Liberal Party candidate for North Shore Felicity Wilson was delighted the premier acted on the issue.
“If it’s no longer needed for railway use, there is no way this land will become high-rise,” she said.
Sydney Harbour High Line Association president Joan Street welcomed the premier’s announcement.
“What this covenant is intended to achieve — the trail — is so important that, if broken, would almost certainly see the electorate rise up in protest at the 2019 NSW state election,” she said.
CAR GETS STUCK ON PALM BEACH
COMMUNITY FORUM
Two meet-the-candidates forums are being organised by a community group.
The first will be held at the Mosman RS Club on March 28 and it will be followed by another at Norths on March 29. Both are at 7pm and are open to the public.
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