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Lord Mayor proud of 'good governance', warns council no place for activists

With nominations for September 14’s local government elections closing at noon tomorrow, Wollongong’s outgoing Lord Mayor, Gordon Bradbery AM, has encouraged people to stand and serve their community. “I think the biggest thing is that we need...

by Genevieve Swart

Published August 13, 2024

Lord Mayor proud of 'good governance', warns council no place for activists — Wollongong's Lord Mayor since 2011, Gordon Bradbery. Photo: Wollongong City Council

“I think the biggest thing is that we need representatives from the community to stand, for a start,” he said.

“I’m really concerned about that because there seems to be a bit of a lack of interest in standing for council.

“I can understand that because you get remunerated at an appallingly low level for the amount of work that you're supposed to put in.”

For 2024/25, councillors will receive $35,620 a year; the Lord Mayor will earn a total of $146,590.

Gordon was speaking in Helensburgh on Friday, when he was in town to announce the location for the suburb’s new Community Centre and Library, one of his final media conferences after 13 years in the city’s top job.

Although the Lord Mayor will not be contesting this election, he did have a message for candidates running for council.

“I also want to emphasise to the community – it's not a place for activists. It's a place for people who are going to sit down and seriously consider how to divide the resources up fairly and equitably across the entire local government area in a way that meets our core basic services and needs.”

'No place for activism'

While the world grapples with the climate crisis, local governments are more accustomed to dealing with everyday issues, often referred to as the three Rs: roads, rates and rubbish. On Gordon Bradbery’s watch, the city has done a remarkable job in introducing FOGO, for example. If everyone filled their green bins with food waste and garden organics, council now estimates we would save 11,050 tonnes of food waste from going to landfill every year.

“Local government is basically a municipal corporation from my perspective,” Gordon said. “And you're a board member and you've got to do the best in the interests of your ward, yes, but also to do it responsibly in terms of good financial management.”

Divided into three wards, each represented by four councillors, Wollongong council has had a fairly even balance for the past term, with mix of Labor, Liberal, Greens and Independent councillors.

The Lord Mayor did say he would like to see more independents stand but reiterated: “It's not a place for activism.

“It's a place where you've got to really be prepared to work collaboratively with your fellow councillors, like a board, to get the best outcomes in the interest of the city."

Some issues are beyond the scope of local government, he said.

“Yes, there are times when you do have to, in some respects, plug into bigger themes and issues, like climate change and so on.

“But how does that apply to the local situation … within the constraints and the levers that local government has to pull…

“It's a big challenge for some people to work within the tram tracks. But I've been very fortunate to work with three councils now that have worked collaboratively to achieve what I think are some pretty substantial outcomes."

Challenges ahead

Currently the Wollongong City Council population forecast for 2024 is 221,567 and the city is tipped to grow by more than 70,000 people in the next 20 years. With growth will come more challenges, from transport to housing.

Gordon predicts “future sustainability” will be an issue for upcoming councils.

“Financial sustainability is a big challenge. That's going to be the big, big issue for forthcoming councils.”

Elected in 2011, Gordon stepped up to lead the city after turbulent times. In 2008, an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry led to the council of the time being dismissed and replaced by administrators for four years.

Today, with council once again a respected institution, Gordon said he is most proud of achieving “stability”.

“People don't quite understand how local government works at times – its scope vis-à-vis state and federal [issues]. But at the same time, I think that I've led a council that has been very financially and fiscally responsible. And also had good governance.”

Keeping councillors focused on essential tasks and "sensible deliberation" was a key to success, he said.

“The problem is – most boards, you select your directors on the basis of merit and what their skill sets are. Councillors are different. They're basically people from the community who have a passion for their community, but at the same time might not necessarily be familiar with the skills that are required.

“I hope the new councillors will be prepared to learn and take up the opportunities that councils provide for them to acquire the skills to be effective councillors and board members. I think that's really important.

“Most of my councillors have done the Australian Institute of Company Directors courses and things of that nature. I think that's how come they were very successful, because they became financially literate. They got their head around the planning and all the issues associated with good governance. I think that's the reason why they succeeded in these past three councils.”

End of an era

To recognise the Lord Mayor’s achievements, Illawarra Flame writer Jeremy Lasek suggested naming a Cliff Road lookout after him. More recently, reader John Morrissey wrote in, saying: “Gordon has a great interest in the visual arts. I suggest a room in the Art Gallery be named after Gordon – preferably the community space. Gordon always attends the art opening and is much respected for his commitment to community art projects.”

In the final days of his final term, the Lord Mayor himself seemed unworried about formal recognition.

“I don't necessarily want my name on anything,” he said. “I just want people to know that, while I was mayor, it was good governance.”

The nomination period to be a candidate for council ends at 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, 14 August 2024. Visit the NSW Electoral Commission’s website for more information.

You can also read more about what it takes to be a councillor in this article.