Councillor Merri Southwood (Deputy Mayor)
Ward: East
Interests Time with and for my family members, from a 2 year old grandchild to a 96 year old mother, is a priority. I'm a news addict. Time permitting, I enjoy reading and walks along the bushtracks near the Harbour. Beach walks and joining my husband in beach fishing, especially on beautiful Boomerang Beach, are a highlight. I enjoy cycling but have been a bit time poor for a while. And, to relax, knitting – my moments of mindfulness.
Background
I have a BA and a LLM with a major in Dispute Resolution. For 20 years until my retirement in September 2020, I worked with TAFENSW as:- - as a Commercial Law teacher
- governance trainer to communities in Redfern and Yarra Bay.
- International Student Coordinator to provide pastoral and academic assistance to students to navigate their way through issues like visa compliance, poor working conditions and unsatisfactory rental accommodation.
I also took an active role on P&C Associations, School Councils and Foundations at the schools our children attended – Greenwich and Artarmon Public Schools, North Sydney Boys' and Girls' High Schools and Sydney Grammar.
Why you stood for Council
I am honoured to have been elected as a Councillor for East Ward.
I will work to ensure that Lane Cove Council achieves an appropriate balance between high-density development and the preservation of the amenity and natural beauty that we enjoy in our LGA. I will work to ensure that Council adopts a more collaborative approach in its decision making and that this starts in the early stages of a proposal. Community input should be informed by accessible, complete and current online resources. And it should also be reported on in an objective manner and without bias. The St Leonards/Crows Nest Precinct is controlled by three Councils - Lane Cove, Willoughby and North Sydney. This precinct is impacted by major development (mainly residential) and infrastructure, particularly open and recreational space, is demonstrably inadequate. I will work towards greater collaboration between the Councillors of the three LGAs to provide joint facilities to meet the needs of the increased population in the precinct.
Organisations
I have lived in Greenwich for over 30 years and I have been actively involved with many community and school organisations throughout this time. My most recent community involvement has been 8 years as President of the Greenwich Community Association Inc.
Previous Affiliations
Former financial but inactive member of the Australian Labor Party.
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