Local Project
Traffic Lights at Thomas Street
In 2016 I began lobbying for a traffic light exit onto Main North Road from Thomas Street. The idea being that the current pedestrian crossing could be moved north along MNR and repurposed as a T junction, or possibly even an intersection with Barker Road.
The notion was incorporated into the Main North Road Masterplan and the idea was then forwarded through to DPTI. As yet, there has been no approval for the idea, so I'll continue to lobby for it.
A set of traffic lights at Thomas Street would efficiently flush the school traffic out of the precinct during school drop off and pick up, negating the need for u-turns, as happens now. It would also reduce traffic volumes along Emilie Street, reduce the congestion at the MNR/Regency Road intersection and allow East Ward residents to travel north with ease.
Local Project
RL Pash Reserve Upgrade
I'll be lobbying for an updated playspace at RL Pash Reserve. Whilst the exercise equipment at the park is excellent and well-used, the children's play equipment is sadly lacking.
Any update will follow close consultation with the community.
Local Project
Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra Play Equipment and Tennis Court Fence Upgrade
A lot of wonderful work has been done in this park over the past 4 years, but there's still more to be done.
The play equipment is from another era and needs updating. This process is underway and consultation has already begun with the community.
The fence on the Southern side needs some tweaking to stop small dogs and cheeky kids from escaping through the gaps. The fence around the tennis courts is long overdue for replacement. I have been lobbying for this to be done and will continue to do so.
Local Project
New Roundabout on Galway Ave
I have been lobbying within Council to investigate a new roundabout at the intersection of Galway Ave, Jellicoe Street and Rheims Street.
I believe the project has merit, the only obstacle is cost.
Local Project
Speed Hump Review
In this day and age are speed humps really the most effective way to manage traffic in our streets?
What we do is make our streets so horrible and inconvenient that people find another route. And once they've gone we then inflict this inconvenience onto the local residents for another 30 years.
We make our streets so bad that no-one wants to use them. This is a ludicrous way to deal with the issue. Not to mention it's a disaster for the local environment.
There has to be a better way, and I intend to find one.
Local Project
Road and Footpath Program
In theory, the maintenance and upgrading of our road and footpath network is already planned in the Council's long term financial plan. In theory.
In reality what can happen is something called 'bracket creep', where the entire program gets moved along and delayed year by year depending on other 'priority' projects that may be happening.
I know my street has been due for resurfacing 'next year' for as long as I've live here. 18 years.
I want the road and footpath upgrade plan to be adhered to so we can all have a nice road to drive along.
Local Project
Broadview Oval Masterplan
There's no point having these Masterplans if we don't action them. Admittedly some work has been done recently - the running track and the new exercise equipment - but the big ticket items elude us.
I will be actively lobbying for the Broadview Oval Masterplan to be a priority.
City-Wide Project
CLIC Library - What it means for The East
For the record, this is my opinion on the new CLIC (Community Hub, Library & Innovation Centre). It will be the best library in the wrong location. It should have been built at the Tram Barn. Full stop.
Having said that, it's being built on Prospect Road so we have to work with that.
I will work to ensure that the residents of the East Ward can make the most of the new CLIC. This will include lobbying for suitable and sufficient community transport for those who are unable to drive. Plus more work on East/West connectivity throughout our City. This is where traffic lights at Thomas Street also come into play.
City-Wide Project
War on Waste
I have particular interest in environmental and sustainability issues. Reducing the amount we send to landfill is a very practical and visible way that we can make a contribution as a City and a community.
My solution is education. I've got qualifications in sustainability and I still get confused by what goes where. If we make it easier, we make it happen. I believe people genuinely want to reduce their waste, and they want to recycle, they just need clearer directions on how to do it.
Some of my ideas include a 'Reduce The Red' bin program and a 'Kerbside Giveaway Weekend' event.
City-Wide Project
Come and try Councillor
Have you ever watched a Council meeting and thought 'I could do that'? Or just want to know what it's like to be involved at a Councillor level before you hand up your nomination.
My idea is that residents can participate in a real Council meeting with real live issues, it's just that the decisions aren't binding.
I envision an adult session and both primary and secondary school sessions.
City-Wide Project
Adelaide Bike Kitchen
I want to encourage and enable the Adelaide Bike Kitchen to re-locate to Prospect.
The idea of the Adelaide Bike Kitchen is that they teach riders how to maintain and repair their own bike. Bike owners can go along to a Adelaide Bike Kitchen session and they have the tools, parts and expert guides to keep their bikes running smoothly and safely.
This is great for so many reasons. It encourages people to ride, but it also gives them the confidence to repair the bike they have, rather than simply buy a new one. Saving our planet's resources.
City-Wide Project
Youth Engagement Program
Research has shown that local community involvement drops off significantly when kids leave primary school and head off to high school.
We need to find new ways to engage youth between 13-20. I intend to find and promote activities and programs that engage this segment of our community.
District Project
Northern Connector Impact Study
Next year the new Northern Connector expressway will be completed. Sounds great.
However.
Currently Heavy Vehicle Traffic (B Double Semis) moves along Hampstead Road, along Grand Junction Road and onward through to The North. And back the other way.
There is a real possibility that once the Northern Connector opens that the current Heavy Vehicle Traffic will transition from Grand Junction Road to Regency Road. This will bring Heavy Vehicles (Interstate B Doubles) through Prospect's residential areas all hours of the day and night. They will also travel past Prospect North Primary and will totally clog the MNR/Regency Road intersection.
A letter from the City of Prospect has already been sent to DPTI with no reply as yet. I will continue to lobby against Heavy Vehicles using Regency Road. I will also lobby the EPA for a pollution measurement device to be installed along Regency Road to measure any increase in levels.