Meet the Shellharbour City Council candidates

Nineteen Labor and independent candidates have put up their hand to vie for eight councillor positions on the Shellharbour City Council to serve the community during the next term.

All lead candidates, except for Cr Jacqui Graf, have returned, with new lead candidates including Kane Murphy and Paul Rankin both in Ward D.

In preparation for the election, the ward boundaries were reviewed and resulted in minor changes.

Pre-poll voting opens 7 September at Shellhabour City Council, Shell Cove Community Centre and HACC Centre at the Albion Park Showgrounds, with various locations for those going to the polls on election day.

Before the 14 September election, here’s what you need to know about the Shellharbour candidates.

Ward A

Group A is led by Labor candidate Maree Duffy-Moon

Maree is retired, having had a career in health, including as a youth worker, hospital social worker, grief counsellor and organ donation counsellor. She had a career change and worked in real estate and later at the Defence Housing Authority. Her political career includes working as a diplomat and being employed at the Australian Consulate in Immigration and DFAT in Los Angeles, working as a Labor staffer in Parliament House, and chief of staff in the trade portfolio. She became a full-time carer to her mother and later her father, both now deceased. She has served one term as a Shellharbour councillor. She is a wife and mother to an adult daughter.

Platforms:

1. Completion of Tripoli Way Bypass
2. Free kerbside bulky waste collection
3. Unlocking housing supply.

Candidate:

Louise Hogan

Louise is a long-time Shellharbour resident who grew up in Shellharbour and has worked in the region for more than 25 years. Married with two children, Louise has a deep connection to the area and is committed to serving its residents. Louise has generally been employed in administrative roles and is a ministerial staffer in the NSW Labor Government.

Group B is led by independent Kellie Marsh

Kellie has served on Shellharbour City Council for the past 13 years, holding the positions of deputy mayor, mayor and councillor. She has extensive experience serving on the majority of council’s internal and external committees and working parties.

Platforms:

1. Commitment to begin the Tripoli Way Bypass this year, which will alleviate traffic congestion through the Albion Park town centre, and facilitate project completion
2. Revitalisation of the Albion Park town centre including streetscape works, library upgrade, new skate furniture, playgrounds and picnic area
3. More funds to be allocated to road renewals and footpaths.

Candidate:

Mitch Ellis

As a resident of Calderwood, Mitch has advocated with ministers and council for improved facilities for the area, including McDonald Park at Albion Park Rail, Tripoli Way Bypass and for a new primary school at Calderwood.

Ward B

Group A is led by independent candidate John Davey.

John is a management consultant and has five years’ experience of management consulting into local government. He has also been serving as a Ward B councillor on the current council.

Platforms:

1. To ensure Shellharbour is well run, responds to community needs and is financially sustainable into the future
2. Support the realisation of those regional and city-wide projects as outlined in council’s living advocacy plan as the population rapidly grows
3. Key Ward B issues, include: effective stormwater systems; traffic management and road maintenance; parks and reserves maintenance; and a focus on Lake Illawarra.

Candidate:

John Murray

John is a retired former senior public servant with more than 30 years’ experience. He served 16 years as a Shellharbour councillor and last ran successfully as an independent in 2016.

Group B is led by Labor candidate Moira Hamilton

Moira has been a Ward B councillor for seven years.

Platforms:

1. Cost of living relief for residents, including providing an annual free bulk waste pick-up service, boosting the pensioner rebate, and clearing creeks and drains to help prevent flooding and reduce insurance premiums
2. Improving services and supporting jobs by fixing roads and footpaths, creating more jobs and apprenticeships, upgrading parks and sporting grounds, delivering better council services, and completing the Tripoli Way Bypass.

Candidate:

Sandra Mitrevski

As a lifelong resident, Sandra was raised and educated in Shellharbour City. She has also worked in the region for more than 20 years and is currently employed as a senior electorate officer. Sandra is now raising her own young family in the community and is dedicated to improving Shellharbour City for future generations.

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Ward C

Group A is led by Labor candidate Lou Stefanovski

An industrial chemist at Bluescope, Lou has lived in Shellharbour City for more than 42 years with his wife and is a strong advocate for the community where his two kids were born and raised. He was elected to council in 2021 and believes in fairly representing the interests of all the residents in Shellharbour City. He is committed to building a strong council that reflects the diverse community members and provides key infrastructure, facilities, services and lifestyle to all residents.

Platforms:

1. Free bulk pick-up and pension discount.
2. Fix footpaths, upgrade parks and sports fields.
3. Create more jobs for apprentices.

Candidate:

Hetty Cummins

With an MBA from the University of Technology Sydney and more than 20 years of marketing experience, Hetty brings professional expertise combined with a genuine commitment to the local government area.

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Group B is led by independent Chris Homer

Chris is vying for a second term as Shellharbour City Council Mayor in a bid to continue the work he’s already started. The former semi-professional surfer gave up his professions as a mortgage broker and owner of a surfboard shaping and designing business to take on the mayoral role full time. He has a diverse range of qualifications, including previously being a fully qualified power station operator, a real estate agent, interior decor consultant, supermarket fruit and veg packer, truck and front end loader driver, and professional lifeguard.

Platforms:

1. Works starting on the Tripoli Way Bypass
2. Delivery of the Shell Cove sports and recreation field near the marina
3. Advocate and drive another community survey and have conversations about people’s views about the grassed area in the marina precinct.

Candidates:

Craig Ridding

Craig is a professional who runs his own consultancy and is no stranger to elections. He ran in the 2021 election and, with a love for Shellharbour, believes he will be a great voice on council.

Colin Gow

Colin is a bricklayer and co-president of the Southridge Board Riders Club. He has a long history in surfing. Passionate about Shellharbour, he’s now retired and able to devote time to civic life.

Ward D

Group A is led by Labor candidate Rob Petreski

Rob is a high school technology teacher and dad of four kids, who were born and raised in Shellharbour. As a passionate sports coach, dedicated volunteer, and Illawarra resident, he has deep roots in the community. He’s lived in Shellharbour for more than 35 years and grew up in modest circumstances. As a lifelong learner, he’s an honours-qualified technology teacher and skilled tradie. He’s also established, run, and sold his own small business, employing and training tradespeople. He was first elected to council in 2017 and also held the position of deputy mayor and has raised his hand to now tackle the mayoral role.

Platforms:

1. Cost of living relief: Free bulky waste pick-up, boost the pensioner discount, keep parking free, unlock more affordable housing, clear creeks and drains to help prevent flooding and reduce insurance
2. Jobs, services and infrastructure: fix roads and footpaths, create more jobs and apprenticeships, deliver better council services, complete the Tripoli Way Bypass, upgrade parks and sports fields, including an all-weather sports field.

Candidates:

Gabriel Beretov

Gabriel proudly represents the CALD community with Macedonian heritage. With a foundation in legal and engineering disciplines, he is excelling in a double degree at the University of Wollongong, pursuing a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours), and has showcased leadership as a Shellharbour Youth Council former president. The 20-year-old is committed to ensuring young people’s perspectives are represented.

Georgia Roff

Georgia has a Certificate III in assisted nursing and a bachelor’s degree in social science from the University of Wollongong. Recently, Georgia began her career as a local electorate officer. When not working, she enjoys hiking, reading and paddle-boarding. Georgia has a passion for environmental and women’s issues, and actively advocates for women’s rights and equality in public spaces.

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Group B is led by independent candidate Kane Murphy

A Dunmore resident, Kane is a property valuer and runs his own business in Shellharbour City. He volunteers for the Stingrays Rugby League Club and has the ambition to take the concerns of the community to council and to be a strong voice within the community. This is the first time representing local government for Kane.

Platforms:

1. Regular maintenance of parks and open spaces. Improve amenities for families with children including the upgrading of city parks and sporting facilities, and development of a pump track
2. Flood mitigation works
3. Improve footpaths and cycleways to encourage active transport.

Candidate:

Daniel Hicking

Daniel, a senior sales representative in retail hardware, is an Albion Park Rail resident and has lived in the Shellharbour area for most of his life. He is a community representative on the Coastal and Flood Risk Management Advisory Committee, Traffic Committee and Australia Day Committee at Shellharbour Council. Daniel has been actively involved with the community, representing the interests of the community to local representatives and council.

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No Group. Independent candidate Paul Rankin

Paul served a term on council from 2012 to 2017, including time as deputy mayor. With a background in sales and operations management, the Flinders resident now wants to bring back some of the policies that were important during his previous tenure. He has put up his hand for the mayoral role.

Platforms:

1. Stop the sale of community assets (basketball stadium) and reinstate the youth services
2. Free yearly pick-up or drop-off to Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot
3. Ensure work starts on the Tripoli Way Bypass.