September 3 - 9, 2017: Issue 328
Independent Allies For Narrabeen Ward
Local Government Elections 2017
Left to right: Steve Baldwin, Conny Harris and Jayden Walsh
Conny Harris
Conny Harris moved to the Northern Beaches in 1997 because of the bush, the beaches and schools for her 3 children. She involved herself in school canteens and succeeded in introducing healthier foods to those schools. She also led bushwalks and organised basketball teams. She recommenced work as a doctor at Mona Vale Hospital in the emergency department.
In 2008 Conny was elected as Councillor and Deputy Mayor for Warringah. She chaired several committees (Traffic, Waste, Narrabeen Lagoon, Open Space & Recreation and Culture & Heritage) and represented Council on regional bodies ( Sydney Coastal Committee, Reconciliation Network, Pedestrian & Bicycle Committee). She continues to work as a community representative on Sydney Water Customer Council and locally on the Narrabeen Lagoon State Park Advisory Committee.
Conny started work as a general practitioner in Dee Why in 2011. She also joined a group of GPs visiting local High School students to talk about sex, drugs and other health issues.
Conny is an active member of the Doctors for the Environment, enjoys her bush regeneration with Garigal Landcare and the monthly walks she leads in the local bush for the National Parks Association and Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment. She is the president of the Northern Beaches branch of the Australian Plant Society and is active in the Belrose Rural Community Association.
For her first baby granddaughter Eva, and all other grandchildren on the Northern Beaches, she wants our unique natural environment protected – don’t let Frenchs Forest style overdevelopment ruin our community. We live in one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and we must treasure it. We can do this by preserving our wildlife corridors and protecting the bush. Reducing our carbon footprint is essential and must start with local initiatives such as good public transport, pedestrian and cycle paths and improving waste management. Disastrous coastal erosion is only one aspect of the changes that will come with climate change if we don’t act.
Conny says:
" I have lived at Oxford Falls for over 20 years and in Australia for 33 years. I grew up in Bremen, an old sea port in the north of Germany, where it always seemed to be raining. I studied medicine and travelled to Sydney to complete my internship here. I married according to the German Consulate a foreigner (an Australian) and our 3 children went to local schools, where I worked in the school canteens introducing healthier foods. I lead bush walks and organised basketball. I worked at Mona Vale hospital and now as a GP in Dee Why. I feel, perhaps the most beneficial medical work of mine is with colleagues visiting high schools and talking to students about sex, drugs and their other health needs. My first grandchild Eva has just been born which has been very special. When I’m not campaigning I’m out doing bush regeneration at a beautiful spot near my home."
My Independent Allies are
Steve Baldwin, who has been living in Elanora Heights for 5 years and worked as a Head Science Teacher in various public schools in NSW for 30 years. He is secretary of 'Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment' and states:
"Everyone needs to look closely at how we use the resources of the planet to ensure survival of species and a bright future for our grandchildren.
Jayden Walsh grew up here on the Northern Beaches and is currently on a Gap Year after completing his studies at Manly Selective Campus in 2016. Next year he is enrolled to do a Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation at Macquarie university. Jayden is respected as a wildlife expert for his outstanding observation and knowledge of birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Why should people vote for me and my team?
People should vote for me and my team, because we will work to protect the wonderful beach and bush environment which makes our Northern Beaches special. Inappropriate development remains the biggest risk for our community. This development might be the constant nibbling away of our bush or it could be inappropriate high rise and high density development. My team will work to stop this.
We need improved public transport to wean ourselves off cars – we will help develop this on a local level - and dedicated bicycle ways and pedestrian networks to improve liveability and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
The new council will need strong governance. I know I can contribute to this because of my prior experience in local government as a councillor and deputy major and by contributing constructively to council business. Council must also be truly independent of developers and party politics which I am. Finally, we need to develop ourselves as a creative and sustainable community. We have a wonderful record as being home to true innovation, nurturing that will keep us an intelligent and active community.
Conny will be speaking at:-
Pittwater Forever Interest Group
Tuesday 5th September at 6.30pm
Where - Mona Vale Memorial Hall
Please go to www.voteconnyharris.com.au to see Conny’s policies.