The issues which will determine the outcome of the Wentworth by-election
Find out what issues are likely to change the minds of constituents at the polls in the Wentworth by-election.
Wentworth Courier
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HALTING overdevelopment, preserving green space and providing the facilities to support medium and high density housing — including a new public high school — are some of the local issues that will decide the Wentworth by-election.
With a higher than average proportion of affluent and white collar constituents, Wentworth voters will be looking for with a strong grounding in economics, in a sea of lawyers, accountants and business owners it is the hyper local policies which will ultimately determine the victor.
Labor’s Tim Murray, the Greens’ Dominic WY Kanak and independent Licia Heath have all pledged their support for the new public high school.
“I’ve known Licia Heath and the (Community for Local Options for Secondary Eduction) East group for some time. Within the Labor Party I have already been lobbying local, state and federal members to get their support,” Mr Murray said.
“Rose Bay is an excellent school but it’s over crowded. A new school will give both a better experience for students at Rose Bay as well as at the new school.
“Having said that, I do not believe we should reduce any funding for any non public schools in the area as I strongly support people’s choice to pursue a private education for their children.”
“The Greens are committed to public education and support building a new public high school in the eastern suburbs,” Mr WY Kanak said.
Residents outraged by the proposal to host functions in South Head National Park have turned the issue into a symbol of the diminishing pockets of bush and parkland in the eastern suburbs.
Mr WY Kanak was among those who attended a rally at Watsons Bay on the weekend, Mr Murray has expressed his support for the residents as has Liberal preselection nominee Peter King.
“My view is to put in six commercial properties in a public park with hundreds of people coming and going places too much stress on parking and local infrastructure and is not a trade off for the loss of beautiful parkland,” Mr King said.
“We need to retain to public open space in our inner city areas.”
Over development and the resulting pressure on roads and other infrastructure is also a hot-button issue for Wentworth.
In the local government area of Woollahra the number of dwelling approvals have already exceeded the 2016-2021 housing supply target by 247 per cent.
“Personally I’m quite interested in the transport situation which is a function of the overdevelopment of the area,” Mr Murray said.
“We need better public transport — we’ve had quite a few bus lines cancelled including the 378.
“I don’t think we need to be reducing bus services in this area — we need to be increasing them.”
Mr King also acknowledged the gridlock.
“There are concerns about overdevelopment and local infrastructure stress. There are issues for residents with parking and transport,” Mr King said.
Other grassroots issues likely to garner attention include the botched roll out of the light rail.
Independent Angela Vithoulkas, a City of Sydney councillor, was forced to close her cafe Vivo as a result of the prolonged disruption.
“I intend to protect and enhance small business and fight for the amenity of residents. I am fortunate as an independent, that my policy decisions are influenced by the needs of the electorate, and not the party objective,” Ms Vithoulkas said.
Mr King also said he would fight for federal funding for Bondi Pavilion.
“I think Bondi Pavilion should be conserved in its present form for the benefit of the people of Bondi and the broader community,” Mr King said.
“Bondi Pavilion is an international icon on the beach. In those circumstances it is proper the federal government gives support to Waverley council.”