Liberal set for Annandale ambush

Speculation is mounting a Liberal will win a seat from Annandale Ward for the first time in history. Traditionally regarded as a Labor/Greens stronghold, former Leichhardt Mayor Maire Sheehan predicted Saturday could bring a changing of the guard.

“It is possible that a Liberal will be elected for the first time in Annandale Ward,” Ms Sheehan said. “There is no independent so the choice is Labor, Liberal or Green … three parties for three spots.

“Almost all of the swing against Labor in the last State election went to the Libs, not the Greens, who narrowly won the seat on preferences.”

Liberal are pushing to implement a range of initiatives as Saturday’s Council elections loom. The promises include free half-hour parking on all parking meters, establishing a community garden and creating 600 new childcare places in the municipality.

Councillor Vera-Ann Hannaford is running as Liberal candidate for the Annandale/Gadigal Ward. “I will support the local businesses by removing charges on street furniture and by action not words,” Ms Hannaford said.

“Currently when there is a problem the Council majority set up a taskforce, which meets to resolve issues but does not do anything about them.

“Instead of the Parramatta Road Taskforce, I would get the footpaths repaired and work to beautify the strip so that the businesses know that Leichhardt

Council cares about them. This will give them identity and pride in their area.”

Liberal candidate John Jobling will be running in the Rozelle/Wangal Ward for the first time. He has previous local government experience from his time as Mayor of Muswellbrook.

Mr Jobling is critical of the current Council, saying that they have not instated a clear plan of action. He said if elected he “will use what I call a simple line of development; you start off with a vision, you do your planning. This takes some time.

“You work out through discussion with the staff of council and all your residents on what you are going to achieve, then you cost it and you implement it.”

However, when asked what issues in the municipality need to be addressed Mr Jobling replied: “I don’t know where the greatest needs are because nobody has looked into it.”

Mr Jobling was unsympathetic to the apprehension residents felt towards the Green Paper’s planning proposals.

“I would be telling the complete truth about what is in that Green Paper.

“Residents are able to be frightened off quite easily by a number of statements that do not tell the entire story, if they don’t understand what’s in there and it’s not explained to them.”