Familiar faces to battle for reelection in Waverley

By DANIEL LO SURDO

Waverley Council consists of four wards, each represented by three councillors. All incumbent councillors are backed by either the Liberal Party, the Labor Party, or the Greens. 

Bondi

Dominic WY Kanak and Leon Goltsman will both be seeking reelection on December 4, while Labor will be campaigning for Michelle Gray to be elected to council, in the absence of Cr John Wakefield. 

Cr Kanak has represented the Bondi Ward since 1999 and has served as Deputy Mayor for two terms. Kanak is a Native Title Consultant and is passionate about reconciliation and green sustainability. 

Cr Goltsman is a member of the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. He has advocated for a safer and more appealing Waverley and committed to developing cleaner streets, infrastructure and community assets. 

Hunter 

Crs Sally Betts, Will Nemesh and Steven Lewis will all seek reelection next month. 

Cr Betts has served on council for 26 years, eight of which as mayor. She believes it is “imperative” to develop playgrounds and sporting facilities for children in Waverley. 

Fellow Liberal councillor Will Nemesh has worked to deliver increased funding for services that will create a stronger Waverley community. 

Labor councillor Steven Lewis is interested in urban planning, design and transport. In his first term on council, Lewis has supported upgrades to outdoor council facilities. 

Lawson 

Cr Angela Burrill, Deputy Mayor Elaine Keenan and Mayor Paula Masselos will all hope to retain their seats on December 4th. 

Cr Burrill has been on council since 2012, and advocates for a more beautiful and liveable area for its residents through improved public spaces, green space and public art. 

Cr Keenan is passionate about resolving problems through collective action and promoting innovative ideas that create public good. Keenan has been Deputy Mayor since 2019. 

Cr Masselos believes it is council’s responsibility to ensure that Waverley remains “one of the very best places” to live. While in council, Masselos has helped deliver improvements to footpaths, roads and rubbish collections, and the Bondi Pavilion’s rebirth. 

Waverley 

Only Tony Kay will recontest the Waverley Ward at the elections. Cr Kay wishes to form a “stable, responsible and open” council that actively supports the community. He was first elected in 2004 and has served as deputy mayor for five years.

Tim Murray is a Labor candidate seeking election to the Waverley Ward. Mr Murray is passionate about increasing alternate energy use and upgrading outdoor facilities for the community to enjoy. 

Ludovico Fabiano is a longtime Bondi local and the Greens candidate for Waverley. Mr Fabiano volunteers at the Waverley Council Multicultural Advisory Committee and hopes to lead climate change action on council.