Waters Ward: Meet your new potential councillor candidates
Three potential councillors have received their positions on the voting ballots for the Waters Ward by-election. WHO ARE THEY?
Politics
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CITY of Darwin by-election candidate Kim Farrar will be on top of the voting ticket ahead of Gary Haslett and Robin Lawrence following the ballot draw on Thursday.
Voters in Waters Ward will go to the polls on Saturday, August 27 after long-time councillor Justine Glover announced her early resignation from the position in May, saying she felt the decision was “tough” but needed “balance” to return to her life.
Ms Farrar and Mr Lawrence were present at the declaration of nominations ceremony on Thursday but Mr Haslett was absent due to work commitments.
Mr Lawrence said he was running for the position to keep rate prices down and also enhance green spaces in the northern suburbs.
“All my campaigns have been on keeping rates down because that’s what hits families the most, is paying out rates,” he said.
“I’m for keeping our green spaces and our parks open to kids and people to enjoy it and having enough facilities there for families to enjoy our large open areas.
“Community areas are for everybody, not just one person.”
Mr Lawrence is a born and bred Territorian, attending Dripstone Middle School, surviving Cyclone Tracy.
He has lived in Wagaman and Anula since 1981 and currently works for the NT government in Mineral Titles.
Ms Farrar is also a born and bred Territorian running for a spot as a councillor in the Waters Ward.
She wants to make sure her local community feels heard by the council.
“I want to be that conduit between the residents in the Waters Ward to council – I want to be a voice for them,” Ms Farrar said.
After Ms Farrar's’s mother became a wheelchair user, she noticed the poorly considered infrastructure design in the community.
“One of my other key focuses is accessibility,” she said.
“We would take mum out to places like the beach of the park and we often found it really difficult to navigate some of the footpaths and the walkways and the ramps.
“Sometimes we would have to wheel her out to the road to get somewhere and until you actually have to do that with someone, you don’t realise how difficult navigating the streets can be.”
Although she lives in Millner on the outer edge of the Waters Ward, Ms Farrar said she had lived right across the northern suburbs, including a variety of areas within the ward.
“I care about the community, I grew up in Darwin, I was born here, I’m a fourth generation (Territorian). I grew up in the northern suburbs, I went to Casuarina High School.
“I’m in a perfect position to give back to the community – I’d like to see more inclusivity for everybody.
“I know what the council offers and I know there is so much more that can be done.”
With an ear worm slogan ‘go with Gary’, previous long-term Waters Ward alderman Gary Haslett is again running for a seat after recovering from a serious incident last year.
Mr Haslett said his main four points of focus would be improved street amenity, tackling law and order, improving dog control and keeping rates and charges low.
“People are not doing the right thing with their dogs, simple as that,” Mr Haslett said.
“You can tell when you go from an NT government road and then to a council road. We really need to redo the roads.”
During Mr Haslett’s previous tenure as Waters Ward alderman, from 2012 to 2021, the enterprising community member activated and created community spaces like Malak Marketplace.
“This dry season the market has been closed for some reason so I’d like to get the market going again and that’s something I will be working on,” he said.
If re-elected, Mr Haslett said he would make “moving things faster” within the council a priority.
“I’ve been out of council for a year but the only projects I am seeing are ones that were initiated a year ago, things need to move faster,” he said.
In February 1966, in the same week decimal currency came into effect in Australia, Mr Haslett moved to the Territory with his mother and now lives in Malak and works as a VET trainer at a high school in Palmerston, teaching screen and media.
“I’m feeling much better this year, last year when I got bashed and it derailed my election campaign,” he said.
“Hopefully I do a lot better this year. Hence my thing about law and order, I want the streets safer.”
Waters Ward encompasses Eaton, Moil, Wulagi, Wagaman, Anula, Malak, Marrara, Karama, Coonawarra, Berrimah and Winnellie.
Doors close on nominations
THE Electoral Commission will soon slam the doors shut on electoral roll enrolments for the Waters Ward council by-election with nominees set to be announced on Thursday.
The by-election was called after long-time Darwin city councillor Justine Glover announced she was stepping down less than a year after being re-elected.
After eight years on the council, Ms Glover resigned on Saturday April 30 and said the decision was “tough” but she wanted “balance” returned to her life.
“Sometimes you have to make the tough decisions and this was a tough one as I have loved representing my community,” she said.
“I have been truly honoured to hold this position but it was time to get some balance back in my life.”
She said she had previously been advised a by-election wasn’t necessary if she resigned but that had not turned out to be the case.
Voters will take to the poles on Saturday August 27 to fill the vacant position.
However, early voting will be available from Monday August 15 at the Northern Territory Electoral Commission office.
The list of all candidates will be posted on the NTEC website after the declaration of nominations on August 11.
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