Priorities:
I am an Independent Councillor with a primary responsibility for the Summer Hill area. I live in the East Ward with husband John, and two children, Victoria and Jacob. I have a strong sense of family and also a strong sense of community values.
I stood for Council because I was concerned about over-development. I am acutely aware of the fact that Ashfield is the third most densely populated area in NSW with one of the lowest percentages of green space per capita. Many fine Victorian and Federation homes have been demolished and replaced with three-storey walk-up blocks of flats. Whilst I understand the State Government's call for urban consolidation, I feel that Ashfield has done its bit. If further consolidation is required by the State Government, it should be along the main transport nodes - Liverpool Road, Parramatta Road and around Ashfield Station - and definitely not in the residential streets.
I am a very active Councillor. Since elected in 1999, I have chaired the Access Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee and I am a member of most Council Committees. Creating a network of accessible pathways for people with disabilities is an important agenda item for the Access Committee. As Chair of Strategic Planning I have been an advocate for fairness, insisting that all developments respect the rights of the surrounding residents.
A key issue for me has been the Summer Hill Railway Station. Residents of Summer Hill have been pressing for many years for access for people with disabilities. I have worked hard with the Save Summer Hill residents who successfully lobbied for a station with equitable access and which would also blend in with the local streetscape. I am now confident that Summer Hill will get a station that provides access for less mobile people, guarantees the retention of the north-south tunnel and preserves the village atmosphere of Summer Hill.
The current issue with which I am concerned is saving the village of Summer Hill from over-ambitious developers. I am determined that there will be no multi-storey concrete developments in the Town Square and surrounds which form the hub of the Summer Hill community.
I joined the Council because I was appalled at how Council repeatedly rolled over to developers. I am committed to representing the wishes of the residents and honored to be their voice on Council.
I am always contactable on telephone 9716 7198 or 0418 400 598 or e-mail cestott@hotmail.com. |
