Your Independent Councillors

Standing up for Woollahra

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Residents First

Election Day 4 December 2021

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Your Independent Voice on Council

Councillors you can trust

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Residents First Woollahra Independents

Election Saturday 14 September 2024

Lucinda Regan (Bellevue Hill)

Lucinda has been a voice for residents on Council since 2017.  She obtained strategic amendments to planning instruments to curtail excessive excavation and improve streetscape amenity, eg forcing substations and fire hydrants to be concealed on site.  She initiated and drove the implementation of the new fig tree management policy to protect residential amenity.  Lucinda has advocated for social impact assessments of new developments to ensure that we’re not losing affordable housing.  She also initiated support for short-term accommodation for families escaping domestic violence. Lucinda is a strong advocate for cleaning up our beaches and waterways and improving stormwater management. The installation of rainwater garden drains to clean stormwater runoff was an idea she pioneered and brought to fruition.

Lucinda

Torsten Blackwood (Cooper)

Torsten has a deep understanding of local issues. He is a long-term Woollahra resident, who grew up in Double Bay and has lived beside Cooper Park for the past 15 years. To spearhead the regeneration of Cooper Park North, Torsten co-founded the popular Cooper Park Community Garden in 2017, which he then designed and built and is the current president. With a background in architecture, Torsten has campaigned strongly against overdevelopment and the need for new buildings to be sympathetic to local streetscapes. As a lifelong professional photographer, Torsten has always been a keen supporter of local arts and culture. He wants to make Woollahra a cleaner, more sustainable and safer community for future generations to thrive.

Mark Silcocks (Double Bay)

Mark was elected to Council in September 2019 as a Councillor for the Double Bay Ward, which covers Darling Point, Edgecliff, Double Bay and Point Piper. During the last 7 years he has worked tirelessly to ensure Woollahra Residents who have any issues or concerns are given a fair hearing on Council and get any problems resolved as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Harriet Price (Paddington)

Harriet has lived in Paddington with her family for 19 years. Since her election to Council in 2017,  Harriet has delivered outstanding neighbourhood assistance and leadership.  Recently, she championed the local campaign to stop the change of use of the heritage-listed Village Inn pub on Glenmore Road.  Harriet has advocated for better access to recreational facilities, including a more swimmable harbour, and for better pedestrian safety around schools.  She has also worked hard to ensure residents’ concerns were taken into account in the White City and Weigal Fields developments.  With a background in law,  Harriet has used her expertise to initiate improvements to Council’s governance and meeting procedures. 

Merrill Witt (Vaucluse)

As a Councillor since 2021, Merrill has worked hard to represent the concerns of the local community.  She strongly supported Watsons Bay residents in their fight to maintain resident only parking arrangements in Watsons Bay.  She’s also taken a keen interest in helping residents protect Parsley Bay and retain the low key, dog friendly ambience of Christison Park. Merrill has also worked closely with Rose Bay residents and local businesses to achieve better outcomes for the proposed Wilberforce Car Park and the  Woolworths redevelopment on Albermarle Avenue.  She has advocated for better controls for tree pruning to protect public and private harbour views, and enhanced protections for establish trees on properties undergoing demolition or signification renovations.

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Putting Local Residents Issues First

Residents First is an umbrella group for Independent Councillors not affiliated with any major political party. We provide independent and informed voices on Council.

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