Scribbly Gum (
Eucalyptus sclerophylla)
Blue Mountains City Council Election
10
th September 2016
The Blue Mountains Conservation Society presents everything you need to know about the 2016 Council Election from an environmental perspective.
Questionnaire Response - All Wards
Of the 19 candidates provided with the questionnaire, only Jim Carothers (Ward 1 - Independent) didn't respond.
Natural areas - Bushland protection and restoration
| 1. |
Support Council's current funding to Bushcare and Bush regeneration activities: |
a) being maintained
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes subject to knowing the budget |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Being maintained. Happy to discuss increases in the course of this term |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes but I would prefer to increase the budget |
b) being increased
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes in principle: would consider in light of other service delivery priorities such as footpaths and walking tracks. |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes subject to advice about budget |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes, subject to availability of State/Federal funding |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes, subject to considering officer’s advice |
Postamble: The 2016-17 budget for bushcare funds 1 full time and 6 part time positions and the bush regeneration budget supports 6 full time positions.
| 2. |
Support an increase in the Noxious Weeds program by extending the number of catchments targeted each year, and by providing more private property weed education and advice. |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes in principle: would consider in light of other service delivery priorities such as footpaths and walking tracks. |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes subject to financial advice regarding budget |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes, subject to staff advice |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes, subject to considering advice. |
| 3. |
Support Council maintaining its budget for bushwalking track maintenance and development, using Nature Based Recreation Licence Fees for additional work and actively pursuing opportunities for additional Commonwealth and State funding. |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes absolutely |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes, subject to staff advice |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes |
Enforcement of Environmental Regulations
| 4. |
Support Council taking a strong and consistent approach to enforcement of breaches of environmental regulations: |
a) by taking legal action against illegal clearing of natural bushland
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes |
b) by initiating the establishment of a specialist environmental enforcement unit of suitably trained staff
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | ? |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes in principle: would consider in light of other service delivery priorities such as footpaths and walking tracks. |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | No |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes I would support this subject to advice |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes, subject to staff advice |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | No. I prefer to have many staff across BMCC Health & Development trained in this area for greater flexibility rather than a specialist unit. |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | No – through training of staff |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes, I would support this, subject to considering advice |
| 5. |
Support the development and implementation of a Council Land Encroachment Policy to address degradation of bushland reserves caused by the use of this land by neighbouring private landholders. |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes - depending on situation |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes development of this policy would also need to include strong community consultation |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes. Absolutely |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes. Very much so. |
Postamble: Currently there are issues of residents degrading Council bushland reserves adjacent to their properties by using the land to park vehicles, stockpile materials, locate trampolines, dispose of garden waste, or mowing etc.
Waste
a) the introduction of a financial incentive for residents to compost their own waste
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | No |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | No |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes Yes Yes !!! |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes subject to advice from officers and consideration of statutory obligations on waste charges |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | No |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes on the condition that State or Federal Grant is allocated |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes, subject to staff advice |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | No. Excessive composting in the past has lead to an increase in rat numbers. Composting is fine for individuals but on a large scale, would be one step forward and several steps back. |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | No |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes, subject to a state or federal grant. |
b) the re-introduction of Council educational programs to encourage a range of waste minimisation practices
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes subject to advice from officers and consideration of statutory obligations on waste charges |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes |
| 7. |
Promote change to the waste collection systems for businesses in order to encourage reuse and re-cycling. |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes subject to advice from officers and consideration of statutory obligations on waste charges |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes subject to State or Federal Grants |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes, subject to the availability of State/federal funding |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes. BMCC should never have got out of this business. |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes, subject to a state or federal grant. |
Postamble: Commercial properties are not provided with the same recycling services as residents, and there is no incentive for businesses to recycle waste.
Planning and development
| 8. |
Support ensuring all the existing environmental protection measures currently included in the Blue Mountains Local Environmental Plan 2015 (LEP 2015) are not undermined or removed in future amendments, including retaining: |
a) all existing provisions aimed at minimising environmental impacts of new development
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes |
b) all areas currently mapped as Protected Areas.
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes |
c) all areas currently zoned environmental protection (E2).
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes |
Postamble: The LEP 2015 governs how and where new development can proceed, and what environmental standards new developments must meet. This LEP must be reviewed and updated in the next few years.)
| 9. |
Oppose the State Government imposing a new housing target on the Blue Mountains, designed to increase the housing stock in order to accommodate Sydney’s growing population. |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes. I will strongly oppose this plan |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes. I will oppose this state government plan as I have throughout my Mayoralty |
| 10. |
Oppose any future re-zoning of land aimed at increasing the areas available for medium density housing development. |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes? |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | No, depending on situation |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Strongly oppose. I support Conservation Society fully. |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes, subject to staff advice |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes! |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes. I support Conservation Society in this matter entirely. |
Postamble: Some submissions during the development of LEP 2015, mainly from developers, advocated extending the medium density housing zone, R3, by rezoning land adjacent to the village centres. This is despite the Council Residential Strategy 2010 concluding that there is adequate vacant residential lots to meet expected population forecasts, and that current opportunities for medium density development are under-utilised.)
| 11. |
Protect the built heritage and large garden and bushland lots of the Blue Mountains townships by supporting the village precinct objectives and proposed R6 Residential Character Conservation Zone in LEP 2015. |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Response provided here |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes. Will fight to protect this zoning |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes! |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes. As Mayor, I lead the delegations to see the Minister and lock this zoning in. |
Postamble: The Blue Mountains towns are famous for their large lot residential areas featuring older character housing, 'leafy green streets' and display gardens as well as natural bushland. Some submissions during the development of LEP 2015 opposed the introduction of R6.)
| 12. |
Oppose the introduction of the SP3 Tourism Zone which will increase the opportunities for large-scale, resort-style tourism development |
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | ?Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes subject to advice from officers which would be based on consultation with the community |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | No |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | I do not support further mass development |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Will take staff advice |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | No. I support this zone. Tourism is a great creator of local, sustainable and low-impact jobs |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | No |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | I do not support further, large scale development in the Blue Mountains. |
Postamble: Tourism in the Blue Mountains is currently characterised by locally owned and operated small-scale accommodation and nature and heritage-based activities.
This ensures that visual and natural amenity, environmental protection and World Heritage values are preserved, and that the tourist dollar stays in the local community.
Will you publicly and strongly support Council’s current position opposing:
a) Coal Seam Gas exploration and extraction in the Local Government Area.
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes, Absolutely |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | You bet! |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes. As Mayor I have advocated a No Coal Seam Gas policy. |
b) The transport of nuclear waste through the Blue Mountains.
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Yes |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Yes, with no hesitation. |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes. As Mayor I renewed our status as a nuke free zone that reinforced our opposition to the transport of nuclear material through the Mountains. |
c) The building of an airport at Badgerys Creek in Western Sydney.
| Candidate |
Party |
Response |
| Kerry Brown | Greens | Yes |
| Don McGregor | Labor | Yes |
| Sam Parker-Davies | Ind. | Yes |
| Michael Begg | Ind. | Yes |
| Kevin Schreiber | Liberal | ?Yes |
| Tony Robinson | Ind. | Yes |
| Brent Hoare | Greens | Yes |
| Rob Thompson | Ind. | Response provided here |
| Romola Hollywood | Labor | Yes |
| Chris Van der Kley | Liberal | Yes |
| Joel MacRae | Greens | Yes |
| Shae Foenander | Ind. | Massively oppose an Airport in Western Sydney. I have been a very strong advocate for Western Sydney in opposing BCA . I am an executive member of RAWSA and I am on the Mayoral Reference Committee against BCA airport |
| Mick Fell | Labor | Yes |
| Daniel Myles | Liberal | Yes |
| Brendan Christie | Liberal | Yes |
| Matt Hodgson | Aust.First | Yes |
| Kate McConville | Greens | Yes |
| Mark Greenhill | Labor | Yes. As Mayor, I have led the Council’s fight against the airport. The motions opposing it were from my Mayoral Minutes. I have opposed the airport since I was elected in 1999. I always will. |
