Shaping a better future
Help us campaign today for a better tomorrow!
Shaping a better future
Help us campaign today for a better tomorrow!
HOW TO VOTE TO SUPPORT
GROUP H
CANDIDATES
Mathew Hatcher
Laurence Babington
Mathew Hatcher
Current Mayor of the Eurobodalla
Mathew's career is extensive in hospitality having owned restaurants and cafes in the past and currently owner of Guerrilla Roasters, a small business based in Moruya. Founder of SoCoDoLo, an organisation that handled logistics in the aftermath of the bushfires. The 2020 Eurobodalla Local Hero as well as re
Current Mayor of the Eurobodalla
Mathew's career is extensive in hospitality having owned restaurants and cafes in the past and currently owner of Guerrilla Roasters, a small business based in Moruya. Founder of SoCoDoLo, an organisation that handled logistics in the aftermath of the bushfires. The 2020 Eurobodalla Local Hero as well as recipient of the National Emergency Medal for service to the country during the Black Summer Bushfires. He has spent years volunteering in our region raising funds for numerous organisations including: RFS, Art Central, MilkCrate, Man Walk, Muddy Puddles, Carers Accommodation Eurobodalla Regional Hospital and many more. He has set a new path for the council in his short time as Mayor and brought back confidence and trust. Working with fellow councillors showing respect and a willingness to bring the community along.
Amber Schutz
Laurence Babington
Mathew Hatcher
Current Councillor at Eurobodalla Shire Council
Amber Schutz is a local Architect with over 10 years of experience in the profession. She is committed to continuing to build on the trust between Council and the Community and ensuring there is meaningful and genuine engagement. Amber is a volunteer with WIRES and actively seeks opportunitie
Current Councillor at Eurobodalla Shire Council
Amber Schutz is a local Architect with over 10 years of experience in the profession. She is committed to continuing to build on the trust between Council and the Community and ensuring there is meaningful and genuine engagement. Amber is a volunteer with WIRES and actively seeks opportunities to be involved in the community. She cares about listening to and learning from people and would love to help create a region that is a unique place for everyone to enjoy.
Laurence Babington
Laurence Babington
Laurence Babington
Owner Mystery Bay Cottages
Laurence Babington has an extensive background in both business and community work. He is an advocate and supporter of PCYC and has hosted many camps for youth. He has volunteered with both National Parks and Wildlife Services and Tilba Tilba Landcare. A member of Narooma Rotary and Marine Rescue he believes volu
Owner Mystery Bay Cottages
Laurence Babington has an extensive background in both business and community work. He is an advocate and supporter of PCYC and has hosted many camps for youth. He has volunteered with both National Parks and Wildlife Services and Tilba Tilba Landcare. A member of Narooma Rotary and Marine Rescue he believes volunteering is the glue that holds the community together. He is passionate about caring for our region, its people and environment and is very keen to play his part in advancing open government.
Ron Meek
Carrie Taylor
Laurence Babington
I’m honoured and excited to stand for the 2024 Eurobodalla council elections with Mayor Hatcher. I am a current resident of Long Beach, am married to Sandra for going on 36 years and we together have two sons and two beautiful granddaughters. We have lived in Long Beach for 5 years and prior to this, on property outside of Canberra. I am
I’m honoured and excited to stand for the 2024 Eurobodalla council elections with Mayor Hatcher. I am a current resident of Long Beach, am married to Sandra for going on 36 years and we together have two sons and two beautiful granddaughters. We have lived in Long Beach for 5 years and prior to this, on property outside of Canberra. I am currently involved in the LBCA as treasurer and an active member of the community in organising and assisting at community events including Xmas fairs where you may have seen me wearing a big red suit. Our recent achievement was to provide all funding for the erection of shade sails over the community playground.
Other things that keep me busy within our community are playing golf, assisting where I can with local rugby and on the executive of the ACT Junior Rugby Union, volunteering for the NSW Cancer Council as a driver of patients to treatment and occasionally working at the BawleyVale Estate with their wedding functions.
Professionally, I bring with me many years’ experience at senior management level in Federal Government departments, ATO and Immigration and with private enterprise, Mt Isa Mines and Icon Water, as a permanent employee and as a consultant. Ive also had experience working for a State Government department with the ACT Revenue Office and a 3 year stint with the PNG Internal Revenue Commission.
I know I can add value to our community, building on the great foundation Mayor Hatcher has already laid. I bring understanding of Government, an ability to listen and prioritise, an understanding of budgets and impacts of costs on our community. I bring the ability to deliver and to ensure we continue to have open, honest and transparent communication between our people and our Council.
Carrie Taylor
Carrie Taylor
Carrie Taylor
Carrie is a seasoned leader dedicated to driving positive change through inspirational leadership, collaboration, and strategic vision. Six years ago, she relocated and co-founded a boutique accommodation business in Central Tilba, transitioning from an extensive career in Sydney's corporate environment to focus on impactful community ini
Carrie is a seasoned leader dedicated to driving positive change through inspirational leadership, collaboration, and strategic vision. Six years ago, she relocated and co-founded a boutique accommodation business in Central Tilba, transitioning from an extensive career in Sydney's corporate environment to focus on impactful community initiatives. Volunteering her time on various committees, including Treasurer on the executive committee of the Tilba District Chamber of Commerce, Carrie played a pivotal role in developing a community-led strategic plan to prioritise the safety and long-term prosperity of the Tilba region. Carrie has also contributed to the development of the Eurobodalla Destination Action Plan as a member of the EDAP Industry Advisory Group.
Recently, as General Manager of Narooma Rocks, Carrie led all aspects of the non-profit organisation focused on regional development, successfully delivering two award-winning Narooma Oyster Festivals, annually boosting the local economy by approximately $3.4 million. Carrie's academic achievements, including an MBA, complement her dedication and passion for enhancing the Eurobodalla Shire and making a meaningful contribution to the community.
Rebecca Mahon
Carrie Taylor
Carrie Taylor
Rebecca resides in Batemans Bay and, alongside her husband, co-owns and manages a thriving building and home improvement company. Since 2020, she has served as a key member of the executive team for the Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber. An active community volunteer, Rebecca is deeply committed to enhancing local initiatives at a
Rebecca resides in Batemans Bay and, alongside her husband, co-owns and manages a thriving building and home improvement company. Since 2020, she has served as a key member of the executive team for the Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber. An active community volunteer, Rebecca is deeply committed to enhancing local initiatives at all levels. As a mother of two young children, Rebecca is passionate about creating a thriving environment for families in Eurobodalla. She is determined to be a strong advocate for young families, ensuring their needs and voices are heard within the community.
Charles Stuart
Charles Stuart
Charles Stuart
Charles has a 25-year history with Variety – The Children’s Charity. Charles is the driving force behind raising funds for the accessible playground at Corrigans Beach. He is a retired owner of two successful private sector businesses and has had more than 30 years’ experience in the financial industry. In 2012 he, in conjunction with Bat
Charles has a 25-year history with Variety – The Children’s Charity. Charles is the driving force behind raising funds for the accessible playground at Corrigans Beach. He is a retired owner of two successful private sector businesses and has had more than 30 years’ experience in the financial industry. In 2012 he, in conjunction with Batemans Bay High School, raised $150,000 for a school bus fitted with wheelchair lift and anchor points. More recently Charles raised $20,000 for a ‘Liberty Swing’, for children who use a wheelchair, which is installed at Corrigans Reserve Batemans Bay.
Policies
AE - POLICIES - 2024
Advance Eurobodalla is a group of informed, energised community leaders, dedicated to facilitating positive change and progress across the Eurobodalla Shire. We are passionate about realising and protecting our shire’s enormous potential and are driven to achieve this goal with integrity as good stewards.
We are Stronger Together, and know that respectful and genuine engagement between our Council and community is key to striking the delicate balance between:
- Retaining our unique and relaxed coastal character
- Protecting our much loved, unspoilt and precious environment
- Facilitating job opportunities and housing affordability
- Encouraging young people to remain in the shire
- Cultivating cohesive communities
- Attracting and facilitating investment
This requires a continued commitment to cultural and strategic improvement within Council but we are confident that the direction we have set over the past years has made genuine positive growth towards a better future for us all.
Advance Eurobodalla’s agenda is ambitious and will require us to work in partnership with state and federal agencies to set and deliver on strategies that benefit people over the long term, not just over one term of Council. Our commitment is to ensuring our community has the best chance at an amazing future.
We aim to ensure that our Council is working openly with the community, for the community’s best interests, and we are fully committed to achieving that. We will seek to develop a shared vision for the shire and for each village. To achieve this, we intend to support, encourage, develop and implement plans and strategies that focus on goals and projects that are truly meaningful and sustainable for our region. We resolve to rebuild the trust between Council and community and have set three immediate priorities:
- Transparent and accountable community engagement through accessible, diverse and innovative methods
- Optimal utilisation of Council’s resources, as good stewards we want to secure our successful future
- Strategic Planning for resilience through disaster, and for future growth and development to ensure the best guidance for our community
We believe it is important that Councillors, led by a collaborative, inclusive Mayor, take a proactive, hands-on role in genuinely including residents in Council’s processes; and that they remain concerned and curious about how people can best be supported. We intend to introduce innovative means by which full and open engagement across our region can take place. AE will actively seek to provide opportunities for all voices to be heard and for this to enhance the Council decision making process. We have already supported bringing back live streaming to Council meetings, conducted catch ups throughout the shire and have advocated for meaningful engagement on projects such as Congo Road, the Dalmeny development and Mogo trails.
The last few years have been particularly hard on many people in our shire, and we believe that through focusing on a sustainable budget, Council can do much more to help those who it is meant to serve. We believe that in the current cost of living crisis it is important to manage our budgets sensibly to ensure that we don’t have to seek special rate variations like our neighboring shires. This will allow individuals and families to have a little bit more to meet daily living expenses and at the same time contribute more to our local economy, helping our community to continue to grow and recover. During our term we have reduced water rates and avoided special rate variations while still managing to save money within Council budgets.
The numerous natural disasters our community has experienced demonstrates how critically important it is for local governments generally, but for our own Council in particular, to be prepared for such disasters in the future. We believe our Council should work with community groups and services to seek out ways in which we can best prepare for events. This includes preparing for the effects of Climate Change and more unpredictable weather patterns. Our shire infrastructure should be sustainable, resilient and adaptable. During our term we have seen the appointment of a full time and very experienced Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO), who is already working with our community to ensure we are better prepared.
More broadly, our essential aim is to ensure that the Council is openly working with the community, for the community’s best interests. To achieve this, we intend to support, encourage, develop and implement plans and strategies that focus on goals and projects that are realistic, achievable and meaningful for the shire.
Our region is one of the most unspoilt and beautiful areas in Australia – if not the world – and we passionately believe this should be celebrated, supported and promoted. Opportunities for tourism and regional products and produce are critical elements in developing growth opportunities. We will seek to work with local groups to develop effective strategies that promote our unique region and develop local business opportunities.
Our focus is on developing a Council that represents the best interests of our community and on developing strategies that help ensure the growth and success of our region.
AE will also be working towards a future that provides pathways and activities for our youth. We are committed to supporting a future that no longer sees young people no longer leave the shire in pursuit of further education or jobs. We will strive to provide opportunities which will allow our youth to stay in the Shire and to fill jobs that are needed now and, especially, into the future. We also want to provide our youth with the opportunity and support to develop new ventures and industries. In our last term we have seen the opening of Mogo trails, a world class mountain bike park that will be a place for young people to enjoy.
Eurobodalla has many able and well-qualified people who can make positive contributions to the growth and development of our region. We will seek to provide an environment for all voices to be heard and for this to enhance the decision-making process in our local government. We have brought the Public Forum back into the Council Meeting and encourage presentation at Public Access. We are also committed to a comprehensive review of Committees and the formation of a Business and Tourism Working Group to ensure meaningful contribution from experts in our region.
Genuine, Open Community Engagement
AE is unreservedly committed to open government.
Our focus will be on encouraging an organisational culture that advances the object of the GIPA Act. We understand the duty public sector leaders have in promoting transparent and open government; and we will encourage a pro-disclosure culture across the board, with the support of the General Manager.
During our last term we saw the reintegration of Public Forum into the Council meeting and the reintroduction of webcasting. We also removed the need for presenters to submit a copy of their presentation prior to the meeting.
We will continue public Councillor catch ups and prioritise being accessible to the community.
AE recognises that genuine community engagement is critical. We will work with staff to ensure that our engagement is meaningful and that feedback is considered.
Health Equity
Hospitals are the responsibility of NSW Health, however, incumbent Mayor Mat Hatcher, lead candidate of Advance Eurobodalla has sought from the NSW Government, to review the plan to close the Batemans Bay Emergency Department, given the substantial increase in population since the review was undertaken several years ago. Mogo and Narooma MTB will bring more adventure tourism and in turn put more demand on our health services. We also are aware of the increase in migration from the regions to our shire.
It is appreciated that it is of utmost importance to not jeopardise the opening of the new facility as a level 4 Hospital due to the community demand for local radiation and oncology services.
Advance Eurobodalla firmly believes in fighting for Health Equality across our shire. We promise to continue to campaign for Radiotherapy services to be included as a priority for the new hospital as well as worker accommodation for construction crews and hospital staff. We can not have a reduction in services and currently with only words backing up the opening as a “Level 4” we are asking the state government to reconsider closing the Batemans Bay ED. We also know the bypass isn’t in any budgets and no forward planning. All these issues need addressing and more consultation with community. Our community deserves to be safe and money spent on health in regions should be equitable to that in the cities.
Sound Financial Management
The sound financial management of any organisation is of obvious and fundamental importance. This is especially so in the case of government organisations, such as our Council, in which its very reason for being is to serve the local community, using public funds. Without such management, Council is not able to deliver upon its basic service functions as effectively and efficiently as it must do. Poor financial management will hinder, if not prevent, the realisation of the many goals we are determined to achieve. Ideas, aspirations, and goals count for nothing without the resources required to put them into effect.
During our term we have completed:
- A budget reset and new finance strategy
- Grants strategy to refocus on only chasing grants that link to Council priorities
- Community meetings to present the budget strategy
- A sustainability plan of the Bay Pavillions and comprehensive reviews of it’s performance.
We are committed to maintaining Council’s current services, in a sensible and sustainable direction. Buoyed by much community support we have worked hard at this mission. The discipline and sound management exhibited in the past 18 months has reaped rewards and we are starting to see stabilisation of our debt, solid strategies in place to tackle our financial challenges, and staff dedicated to making these changes. By finding more efficiencies and taking a measured approach to service provision, we’ve managed to avoid those large Special Rate Variations we’re seeing in neighbouring shires
If elected we will continue to prioritise a financial stewardship model that will see our Council living within its means and on a path to financial sustainability.
“We’ve worked very hard to communicate our financial position and current and future work plans in different forums across the shire. This has been well received. People have been interested and understanding – it’s very much about transparency and accountability. It feels good to be ending this Council term with a focus on financial stewardship while still delivering the services the community expects.” “The Mayor and councillors have shown strong guidance and leadership on the financial front, saving Eurobodalla ratepayers from the large rate increases facing our neighbours. They’ve made tough decisions and embraced a financial stewardship model that will see our Council living within its means and on a path to financial sustainability.”
Strategic Disaster Planning and Operations
In our last term we have seen significant improvement in Disaster preparedness in our Shire including:
- Employing a full time, experienced LEMO (Local Emergency Management Officer)
- Generators on Council critical infrastructure
- Tilba district strategic plan and Bushfire Risk Management Plan
- Community protection strategic plans (RFS)
- Improved bridge resilience (building back better)
- Support and encouragement for communities to form community organisations
- Participation in joint preparedness planning through steering committees
- Endorsement of the CMP (Coastal Management Plan) including the Emergency Subplan
- Facilitation of the Joint Operations Center, including securing the land.
If elected we promise to keep our communities safety as a priority and to remain at the forefront of best practice.
Local Businesses and Employment
AE will support local business start-ups, foster growth of local food systems, and facilitate the promotion and creation of job opportunities and career paths, particularly for youth.
In our last term Mat brought back the local business awards, celebrating the achievements of businesses in our shire.
We have started the process of advertising for a working group for Business and Tourism to be managed and led by industry leaders in our shire. We have seen increased collaboration with Council and the five Business Chambers and we promise to continue developing those relationships. Council provides grant support, training and development for local businesses. We promise to continue this support if elected. We promise to continue trainee and apprenticeship programs within Council to provide career development opportunities for young people.
Nurturing and protecting our Natural Environment
AE will, to the full extent possible, protect and care for our magnificent natural environment, being the envy of the rest of the world. We must protect it for all the obvious reasons, through ethical, sustainable development, which will be scientifically and professionally managed and undertaken. It is, after all, the only environment we have! It is critically important that the Nature Coast lives up to its name.
An AE-led Council will be a leader in environmental sustainability and is committed to playing its part in achieving a 0% Carbon emission level by 2040.
We promise to:
- Review opportunities to transition the Council fleet to electric vehicles.
- Support car charging points throughout the shire
- Continue support for the Climate Change Advisory Committee
- Review power supply agreements and solar feasibility.
- Encourage sustainable development through DCP and Masterplans
- Continue to advocate for more recycling opportunities and sustainable waste management
- Review opportunities and learnings around circular economy principles.
Arts and Culture in Eurobodalla
We recognise how arts, culture and the creative industries contribute to local employment, the wellbeing of the community, tourism and economic development.
While cultural tourism is already a substantial contributor to our local economy, cultural activities provide much more than an economic benefit. While changing economic and environmental conditions, eg drought, bushfires and coronavirus, impacted cultural activities and cultural tourism, in local government we can work with others to make sure Eurobodalla remains welcoming, inclusive and with a vibrant culture.
Analysis shows cultural and creative activities contributed $122.3 billion to our national economy in 2019–20. Over the last 10 years, the economic impact from this activity has increased 27.1 per cent, reaffirming its value to our national economy and identity. Cultural and creative activity refers to economic activity that involves human ingenuity, expression and storytelling. These activities connect Australians through arts, media, heritage, design, fashion and information technology. (20 Oct 2022 , Aust Govt, Office for the Arts)
Eurobodalla Shire Council already supports the creative life of the region, for example by providing libraries, the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, supporting the River of Arts Festival, Sculpture for Clyde and grants to local arts groups. Now we want to identify opportunities to collaborate with local artists and arts organisations and experts to strengthen the arts and creative industries, and facilitate social, cultural, economic and health and well being outcomes for our community. To do this as councillors we will work with Council staff and the local arts community.
We commit to:
· review the terms of reference of the Public Arts Committee of ESC to better reflect the arts and cultural connection of the community to Council
· work with artists and other stakeholders at the local level to identify how Council can help the local arts community by collaborating to identify activities to connect communities, stimulate creativity and encourage people to participate
· work with community on initiatives that promote Aboriginal career development, economic enterprise and cultural attractions
· look for opportunities to stimulate the local economy through cultural activities
· supporting collaborative tailored workshops, forums and opportunities to support artists and arts organisations
· strengthen communities and revitalise local economies by identifying suitable spaces and places where people can create and exhibit
· look for opportunities to develop partnerships to support cultural activities
· continue to support and look for new opportunities to support arts experiences, live music, exhibitions and cultural attractions to build cultural tourism
We believe opportunities for recreation and sports should be available to all people. As personal exercise and team sports play a critical role in the health of our community, AE is committed to reviewing the needs of community groups and working with them to achieve strategic plans that ensure recreation facilities are maintained and updated. We believe sport should be affordable for everyone, and as such we will review Council charges for grounds usage.
Care for Vulnerable Community Members
AE is committed to social equity by means of genuine inclusion and engagement. We are committed to ensuring all of our facilities, places and spaces are accessible. In a time of increasing complexity and red tape we are committed to ensure simplicity is prioritised to make it easier for a wide range of people to access our services.
During our term we have requested sensitivity training for Councillors and Management within Council to ensure that our approach is trauma informed. Trauma-informed management is an energized leadership approach that acknowledges and accommodates the profound impact of trauma on employees within the workplace and community connecting with Council.
Fostering a trauma-informed organisation nurtures a secure environment, and fuels empathy, resilience, and total well-being for every person. This approach heightens awareness of trauma and its pervasive influence on total well-being, implementing informed principles across leadership practices and corporate policies. It centers on trust and empowerment, supporting people while fostering a vibrant environment for all.
Cultural awareness and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts greatly contribute to effective trauma-informed management.
We are committed to continuing this work and will advocate for additional training and education within our Council.
We are passionate about inclusive spaces for people with all levels of ability. During our last term we have advocated for:
- accessible beach access,
- accessible toilets through our public toilet strategy,
- accessible parking at public facilities, accessible playgrounds,
- Council documents that are easy read,
We are committed to continuing the focus on inclusive places for all abilities.
Care for Vulnerable Community Affordable Housing
AE is committed to addressing the increasingly important issue of housing unaffordability. Fewer and fewer young people are able to afford a home of their own. To address this we promise we will take whatever steps, consistent with our unequivocal commitment to sustainable development, to encourage the development of additional affordable housing options. This will include:
- Reviewing the density of housing, around key transport routes and public transport.
- Planning strategies to promote the development of more apartments, townhouses and villas to provide a more affordable housing option.
- Review minimum lot sizes;
- Review height limits around the CBDs. This is critically important as an aging population seeks residency closer to services.
During their previous term, Mat and Amber supported and advocated for:
- Allowing people to stay longer than the 50-day limit at campgrounds.
- Hiring mobile shower units for North Head campground (where a large cohort of people experiencing homelessness are living) to provide hot showers over the winter while examining options to permanently upgrade facilities.
- With welfare agencies, funding a pilot program to provide free laundry and shower facilities for people experiencing homelessness.
- Writing to non-resident ratepayers asking them to consider placing their property into the rental market.
- Compiling information to help residents consider whether a tiny home or caravan in their backyard is feasible.
- Exploring longer-term solutions that would see the Council provide land for tiny homes in a pilot project funded by the Federal government, or building a homeless shelter to be run by a local service.
- Liaising with local welfare agencies to ensure support is beneficial and practical.
- Talking to the community, the media and local MPs about this crisis situation to raise awareness.
- Preparing a local housing strategy to identify the actions needed to meet the shire's housing demands over the next 20 years.
- Voted to allow subdivision for dual occupancies on smaller lots.
[1] Good conduct and administrative practice, Ombudsman NSW, 2017, p 90
[2] Local Government Act 2020 (Vic) – Fact sheet (undated)