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Candidates step up to the plate

Staff ReporterNorth Coast Times

The Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association invited potential candidates to speak at the August 26 meeting, which fell before the nomination period, because it will not hold a monthly meeting in September.

Three people have publicly indicated they will nominate for the north ward seat, with nominations open until Thursday and the elections on October 19.

Secretary Lorraine Jackson read out correspondence from current north ward councillor and acting mayor Laura Gray, who was not able to attend, but planned to run for another four-year term.

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‘I’m more passionate now than ever,’ Cr Gray wrote.

‘It will be a privilege to continue as north ward councillor.’

Former state election candidate Linda Aitken said she was a family person with four adult children and one grandchild.

‘I work fulltime as a nurse ” should I be elected, I will drop shifts,’ she said.

‘I see this area as a rough jewel that has been uncut and has so much potential.’

Mrs Aitken said the area lacked places for children to play and it needed parks that were ‘not just raw bush’.

She also compared the region to Rockingham, where she said 60 per cent of residents worked locally.

‘Here we would struggle to get 30 per cent of the population working locally,’ she said.

The Hollywood Private Hospital nurse said the area needed more healthcare support and community services, praising those that already existed.

‘I have lived in the City of Wanneroo for over 30 years, I have a heart for this place,’ she said.

Nowergup resident Sabine Winton said she would stand because she felt she had a lot to offer, not because she did not think the current councillor was not doing a good job.

‘I came to Yanchep in 1975 ” in those days it was Alan Bond, bush and a big block that we got,’ she said.

Ms Winton said her mother still lived in Yanchep, although she left after studying education to teach at country schools, before returning with her family to live in Nowergup.

Ms Winton said transport was a big issue for the area and she was on the working group for the Mitchell Freeway extension.

‘The City of Wanneroo have an important role to play in transport,’ she said.

Having campaigned for greater environmental protection around Lake Nowergup, Ms Winton said she was fearless in pushing for things ratepayers wanted.

‘I’ve been to dozens of council meetings, I’ve asked hundreds of questions, I’ve made dozens of deputations,’ she said.

‘My intention is to run for the north ward because I live in the north ward and it’s where my heart is.’