South Coast candidates discuss housing and why they’re running

NSW South Coast seat candidates are fighting for your vote, but who will win? Find out why each candidate is running and what they plan to do for the electorate if they win.

Some of the South Coast candidates.

The NSW state election is just around the corner, with candidates from major and minor parties giving their last ditch efforts to convince people to give them their vote.

Voters from the South Coast state electorate (which includes towns from Ulladulla to Nowra) will have their voice on who will be their representative in state parliament with pre poll now running until election day on Saturday.

Here are what the South Coast candidates have to say on why they are running and what they will do to solve issues like the housing crisis.

Robert Korten: Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate for South Coast, Robert Korten, did not answer the questions asked by The South Coast News.

Ms Abbott is a first time candidate.

Luke Sikora: Liberal Party

Luke Sikora is the Liberal candidate for the South Coast.

Why are you running?

“I was driven to public service after the death of two school mates on the Princes Highway in tragic accidents,” Mr Sikora said.

“I wanted to ensure families never had to go through the trauma of losing a loved one in a senseless accident on the Princes Highway.

“This is why I went to work with our local state member Shelley Hancock, and together we have secured $5.1 billion in upgrades to the Princes Highway to improve safety and reliability for locals. “

How long have you lived in the electorate?

“I have lived in the Shoalhaven for more than 27 years,” Mr Sikora said.

“I grew up here. I went to Primary School and High School in Nowra, worked in my parents small business and opened my own small business, a restaurant and function centre in Nowra.

“I now volunteer as a Board Director of North Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels and act as the Service Manager for Nowra Bomaderry Meals on Wheels.”

What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?

“It is essential we assist first home buyers buy their first home quicker. That’s what our landmark First Home Buyer Choice policy does, giving First Home Buyers the choice to get rid of the big upfront tax, for a much smaller annual payment that cuts years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, and pay far less tax overall in the long-run,” he said.

“We know it’s not easy breaking into the property market. That’s why we launched Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper. It’s a chance to help thousands of essential workers, single parents and older singles to realise their dream of home ownership.

“We’re joining with essential workers, single parents and older singles to help them purchase their own home. Under this program, we contribute an up 40% of the property price for a new dwelling or 30% for an existing dwelling, meaning that these aspiring home buyers don’t have to find as much of a deposit.

“Additionally, more than 15,800 social housing properties will be upgraded over the next three years, improving the condition and quality of homes, reducing future maintenance costs and addressing cost of living.”

What is your final pitch to voters?

“It is essential we keep the South Coast moving and deliver the infrastructure and services we need for our growing community,” Mr Sikora said.

“It is only the NSW Liberals with a strong economic plan than will deliver the $438 million redevelopment of the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital (and we will deliver free parking from July 1 this year), major upgrades to the Milton Ulladulla Hospital, the Princes Highways upgrades we need including the Nowra and Milton Ulladulla bypasses, new schools at Milton and Worrigee/South Nowra and upgrades to our local roads.

“The NSW Liberals will assist south coast residents with cost of living challenges, including putting downward pressure on electricity prices, and provide a $250 electricity rebate for all, continue the $250 Seniors Travel Card and rollout the $250 student and apprentice travel card, addressing the rising cost of petrol.”

Liza Butler: Australian Labor Party

Liza Butler is the Labor candidate for the South Coast.

Why are you running?

“I think statewide people are after a fresh start and that is exactly what I’m offering the South Coast,” Mrs Butler said.

“I am out doorknocking every day and people want change.

“They [Liberals] have been in government for a long time in the South Coast electorate now, but that just makes it worse when you see all the promises they haven’t stuck to.”

What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?

“We will be removing stamp duty for first home buyers if they purchase a home for $800,000 or under,” she said.

“We want to build more affordable homes along the south coast with the ‘build to rent scheme’, which will see affordable homes for people to rent built by the state government with $30 million funding.”

What is your final pitch to voters?

“I understand local issues after being Deputy Mayor,” she said.

“It’s always difficult winning a seat from an incumbent party.

“There’s no doubt I have a huge hill to climb and I don’t take any vote for granted.

“But I am going to be the fresh change the South Coast seat needs and only a Minns Labor Government can fix housing, healthcare and infrastructure issues which have been neglected under the Liberals.”

Nina Digiglio: Independent

Nina Digiglio is the Independent candidate for the South Coast.

Why are you running?

“My mission is to bring heart back into politics, starting in my beloved South Coast Community,” Mrs Digilio said.

“I am committed to stand in my heart centre together with my community to impact positive ongoing change.

“The values I represent are respect, compassion, integrity and truth.”

How long have you lived in the electorate?

“I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years. In addition to my medical career, I have also spent 5 years as a Councillor on the Shoalhaven City Council,” she said.

What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?

“I am passionate about improving public health, as well as the education system, and will also champion housing affordability and the rising costs of living, to name a few,” she said.

What is your final pitch to voters?

“With my health, civic and community experience, skills and attributes, that I have to offer, I will seek to forge stronger working relationships with the people, businesses, organisations and communities within my electorate,” she said.

“I believe that community wellbeing suffers when community objectives for development are not heeded by policy makers.

So, if elected, one of my key priorities would be to ensure that there is a higher level of effective engagement and consultation, involving local needs and vision, in order to help South Coast to grow and thrive.”

Deanna Buffier: Sustainable Australia Party

Why are you running?

“I am running as a Legislative Assembly candidate, for the Sustainable Australia Party on the NSW South Coast, because I want to be more proactive in forging sustainable government practices; protecting the natural and built environments, blocking greedy developers, creating and maintaining better infrastructures as well as creating a sustainable housing market that is affordable for all citizens,” Ms Buffier said.

How long have you lived in the electorate?

“I have lived in the South Coast electorate for three years and three months and in that time I have been active in protests, letterbox deliveries, letter writing to state ministers and local councillors and attending the meetings of environmental groups,” she said.

What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?

“To address the housing crisis on the South Coast, I propose that state and local governments provide incentives for property investors to provide long term rental of their properties which, in great numbers, lay vacant mostly during school terms,” she said.

“I also propose that the state government buy existing properties that can be modified, without sacrificing natural environments, to become public housing properties.

“In this way, existing infrastructures, such as roads, sewerage, water and power connections are in place and are a cost-saving measure. This, to my mind, is sustainable practice.”

What is your final pitch to voters?

“I strongly encourage voters to open their eyes and minds to the science and evidence-based policies of the Sustainable Australia Party and vote for this party,” she said.

Amanda Findley: The Greens Party

Amanda Findley is the Greens candidate for the South Coast.

Why are you running/how long have you lived in the electorate?

“South Coast has been my home for over 25 years and in that time, I have seen the climate crisis worsen with three years of natural disasters compounding stress and weariness with our residents,” Mrs Findley said.

“I have worked shoulder to shoulder with the community who are crying out for human services, from basic free health care to assistance with disaster preparedness.

“Housing has become so unaffordable we can’t attract and keep workers as they have nowhere to live, yet 26 per cent of our homes are empty on any given night.

“Our nurses, midwives and paramedics are exhausted and need ratios to change and a fair day’s pay. Our homelessness services are underfunded and with more people on the brink of not having a roof over their heads we need more human services than ever before. Our native forests are being logged to death after the nation’s worst ever bushfires. Our schools are bursting at the seams due to poor government planning.”

What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?

“I have advocated long and hard for improved housing for the South Coast, starting with investment into the social housing estates around Nowra,” she said.

“These require millions of dollars’ worth of redevelopment in order to provide more homes, that are fit for purpose and get people off the housing waiting lists.

“The current government blames local councils for not releasing land when many applications are held up in State Government departments and this needs to change. Handing back planning powers to local communities will mean better housing outcomes.”

What is your final pitch to voters?

“I have the necessary leadership skills and experience to bring the issues of the South Coast direct to the NSW Parliament. As a twice popularly elected Mayor, I know what’s going on the region and what needs to change,” she said.

“This election is unique for South Coast voters who are fed up with the major parties, their negative politics that is more self-interest than community interest.

“In this election I am a clear alternative to the others. It is likely there will be a hung parliament and if the South Coast is one of the electorates that is needed to form government, it puts us in a great position to not only keep the major parties accountable for their promises, but to extract more for a community that really needs support.

“I am asking for South Coast voters to change their vote away from the big money donors and their corrupt expectations of the major parties. Vote one The Greens, vote one Amanda Findley.”