About depa

I have been a member of depa since 2005 when I commenced work as a Cadet Town Planner with Tumut Shire Council. I have worked for Wagga Wagga City Council for the past 14 years, where I am a delegate and chair of the Consultative Committee, and am currently employed as a Senior Town Planner.

I first joined the Committee of Management in 2018 and have served as President since 2020. I am proud of the role that depa plays in local government, always on the front foot and busy taking action, while others are often still wondering what to do. The union is respected in both the industry and government and is always in the fight for its members.

I am seeking re-election as President so I can continue to help contribute to the strategic operation of the union and to achieve positive outcomes for the benefit of the whole membership. Having lived with cancer for the past nine years, I believe that I bring a unique insight to the Committee, as an individual balancing a serious medical condition with full-time work.

I'm a long-standing member of this association and have an interest in protecting the rights and benefits of local government employees and in particular the planning, development and environmental health and building professionals which depa represents.

Further, I have a strong conviction in limiting any further erosion of the regulatory oversight of the building and development industry that has occurred over the years which has resulted in poor, unsafe building practices and a lack of consumer protection. I would be privileged to be given the opportunity to continue my association and work with depa as a member of the Committee of Management.

14 May 2024 will be 40 years working for depa and for almost 38 of those years, we've been fighting term contracts. The first article was published in the December 1986 issue of what was then called Health Surveyors’ News and now, building on the historic consensus with LGNSW and the unions, we are so close to having legislative changes that will revert senior staff (other than the GM) to coverage under the Award, I almost taste it - confidently, by the end of the year and potentially earlier.

We were the most vigorous opponents of private certification (we ensured existing members went into accreditation levels on the recommendation of their councils) we can claim responsibility for the provisions in the 2020 Award requiring councils to provide "adequate staff and other resources to enable employees to carry out their duties and functions over the course of working hours that are not unreasonable", and the 2023 Award provides a right to disconnect that only 12 months or so later started to be contemplated in the Fair Work Commission.

The commitment to fight something for 38 years and our dogged determination generally means no one can claim depa doesn't have true grit.

Phone: 9712 5255
Email: 

In working for local government in Western Sydney for almost 25 years, my role in infrastructure planning for some of Australia's fastest-growing areas, has focussed on facilitating planning for infrastructure in support of financially sustainable urban growth. What I've observed over that time, is the opportunity for improvement in the local government industry to support the skillset needed, in retaining the resources required to serve local communities to that end.

Having been a depa member for over 10 years, and a delegate on Council's Consultative Committee for the last 3 years, in nominating as a depa Committee Member, I would offer the following statement for consideration:

"The opportunity of working in local government can be both challenging and rewarding in equal measure, but at the end of the day, it's the people (Council staff) that make the difference. In this regard, depa continues to represent for its members all those virtues that would see local government as an industry of choice of any workforce. In this regard, I would welcome the opportunity to positively contribute toward depa's Committee of Management in supporting the ongoing service to all depa members across NSW".

l am an Environmental Health Officer at Blacktown City Council and have been for over 15 years. Coming from a strong union minded community, I joined depa upon my first few days of starting my career at Blacktown. I found the courage to volunteer myself as a delegate some 7 years later, which has allowed me some amazing experiences. During this time I have represented members of the Staff Consultative Committee, participated in policy review, and have been involved in negotiating Enterprise Agreements, as well as a range of other activities.

I hold a deep appreciation and respect for the work of unions and am especially proud of the role depa plays in local government and its commitment to its members. Being the newbie amongst a team of experienced and professional members I can only proclaim to give it my very best!

I very much look forward to continuing on as part of the Committee of Management tor depa.

I have over twenty-five years of experience in Local Government, working in a range of positions including Building Surveying, Planning, and Environmental Health. I have also worked in a range of Councils including small rural Councils (Bland and Junee Shire), metropolitan (Parramatta City) and large regional Councils (Wyong Shire and now Central Coast).

I believe that my experience in Local Government allows me to better understand the issues faced by depa members and the industry in general. I have also been the depa delegate at Parramatta City and Bland Shire Councils so I've had considerable experience representing members on various workplace reform committees, consultative committees and in the IRC.

I am extremely proud of the role that depa plays within the industrial framework of Local Government and our reputation, whilst hard-earned, speaks for itself. If we're involved, there's a fight to be fought.

I've been a member of the Committee of Management for thirteen years now, nine of those as Vice President. During this time I've been involved in setting the strategic direction of the association, as well as representing the Union in a number of forums. I look forward to continuing my role on the depa Committee of Management.

I am a senior town planner working in Strategic Planning at Hilltops Council since 2018.

My family moved to rural NSW from Sydney to seek out a different lifestyle and new opportunities. As a lone small rural Council planner, I understand wearing different hats and undertaking a range of projects as well as the grind of metro planners from previous local government experience.

As the depa delegate on my Council's Consultative Committee, I raise questions from members and contribute at meetings to clarify and receive feedback from Council's Executive.

At present, I have been advocating for and advising members as Council goes through a Workplace Change process. This has involved discussing with individual members the impact of the proposed changes and supporting members to preserve their rights and benefits. Also explaining the workplace change process under the Local Government Award and speaking to and seeking clarity from the Council Executive about the impact of proposed changes on members.

I have been nominated for the first time to be a member of the Committee of Management 10 gain experience and learn to advocate for members rights, whilst contributing to support members like depa has for me as a local government planner.

Phone: 6384 2539
Email:

I am a senior town planner working in development assessment at Wagga Wagga City Council, having commenced with WWCC in the early 2000s. I feel a strong connection to regional NSW after spending almost my whole life in Wagga, moving to the city from Dubbo at the age of 7.

I have been a member of the Committee of Management for the past two years and am seeking re-election to the Committee of Management so I can continue to help contribute to the strategic operation of the union and to achieving positive outcomes for the benefit of the whole membership. Having lived with cancer for the past five years, I also believe that I bring a unique insight to the Committee, as an individual balancing a serious medical condition with full-time work.

As a delegate, as well as chair of my Council’s Consultative Committee, I am a keen advocate on day-to-day industrial matters. However, I also hold a keen interest in depa’s role providing professional advocacy and support for the various professions represented by the union, particularly to government in these times of seemingly consistent reform within the planning system and local government.

I believe that it is important to be involved on the Management Committee of depa to make an active contribution to the promotion of the various professionals it represents. I will support the promotion of depa to ensure that member views are represented and appropriate employment conditions are maintained. I will also contribute to the strategic policy settings of the union as well as the Local Government Award and other legislative changes which may affect our professions. The union has a demonstrated history of sound advocacy for the members that I will seek to continue in a professional manner and to further the objectives of the union.

Our union is a well run organisation which delivers excellent results to our members in a cost effective manner which will be maintained by increasing our membership and maintaining good management practices.

I will continue to advance our members’ workplace conditions and strengthen our professional standing in local government and the community through my involvement with and leadership of the Management Committee.

I started my career as a Student Environmental Health and Building Surveyor at North Sydney Council, followed by 8.5 years as a Building Surveyor at Ku-ring-gai and Willoughby Councils. After completing studies in urban and regional planning, I had a sea and career change moving to Great Lakes Council as a town planner. I now live in Newcastle, working at Newcastle City Council as an urban planner.

My experience in a diverse range of development and environmental roles in both metropolitan and regional councils provides me with a good understanding of the varied challenges that depa members can face.

I believe it is important to actively contribute to depa to ensure the continued growth and success of the association, and for the past 6 years I have served as a committee member on the Committee of Management. I will continue to advocate to ensure the best possible outcomes for members in all policy and legislative changes.

I have been a committed member of this association since I began my career as a health and building surveyor in local government back in the early 80s.

I have a deep conviction in preserving the rights and benefits of all local government employees and in particular professionals within the planning, health and building field for which depa currently represents.

I find great purpose in the role of committee member of depa as it keeps me up to date with all the current industrial issues and challenges that face local government and further provides me with the ability to participate and represent my fellow members on all award negotiations.

It also provides me with an insight to some of the organisations and individuals that may not be looking after the interest of their employees and to do something about it.

I am a senior development assessment officer at Coffs Harbour City Council, having worked in local government for the past 15 years as a town planner in various development assessment roles. I am currently a depa delegate and also represent members on the consultative committee. In my time as a delegate I have been involved in a range of industrial activities, including a restructure and more recently the negotiation of an enterprise agreement.

For the last two years I have served on the depa Committee of Management. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I am seeking re-election this year.

Having worked in development assessment, I appreciate the ongoing challenges and pressures that environmental and development professionals regularly face in local government. As a delegate and member of the Committee of Management I have had the opportunity to see first hand the important role that depa plays in supporting members in the workplace and providing constructive and effective input into the local government industry.

I look forward to an opportunity to continue my role on the Committee of Management.

After my first term on the committee I have developed a desire to continue what I consider an important contribution to our profession and organisation.

Along with my 30 years in local government and membership of our association, I have represented depa on Council consultative committees, many years as chair. I maintain qualifications and practical application across the roles of building, development and environmental health and maintain an understanding how these roles are impacted professionally and industrially in the current local government environment.

I believe that I have developed and maintain a skill set that not only provides a practical endorsement of our current association’s position but the ability to openly review and enhance its direction to provide contemporary application to its long held mission.

I would very much like to be part of a leadership group that strives for workplaces that are fair, appropriate and reasonable and reflect this in its policy development and approach and dealings with all industrial matters.

I have over twenty years experience in Local Government, working in a range of positions including Building Surveying, Planning and Environmental Health. I have also worked in a range of Councils including small rural Councils (Bland and Junee Shire), metropolitan (Parramatta City) and large regional Councils (Wyong Shire and now Central Coast).

I believe that my experience in Local Government allows me to better understand the issues faced by depa members and the industry in general. I have also been the depa delegate at Parramatta City and Bland Shire Councils so I’ve had considerable experience representing members on various workplace reform committees, consultative committees and in the IRC.

I am extremely proud of the role that depa plays within the industrial framework of Local Government and our reputation, whilst hard-earned, speaks for itself. If we’re involved, there’s a fight to be fought.

I’ve been a member of the Committee of Management for nine years now, seven of those as Vice President. During this time I’ve been involved in setting the strategic direction of the association, as well as representing the Union in a number of forums.

I look forward to continuing my role on the depa Committee of Management.

I have been a local Council delegate for over 10 years and am happy to be nominated to join the management group of depa.

I am keen to assist ensuring that the association remains a vital and relevant force into the future for the benefit of all members – current and upcoming.

Phone: 4645 4566
Email:

I am a senior planner at Canterbury-Bankstown Council. I was previously employed at the former Canterbury and was the delegate at Canterbury from 2016 and continued in the role of delegate after the merger with Bankstown City to form Canterbury-Bankstown.

I represented depa on the Consultative Committee both at Canterbury and at Canterbury-Bankstown, including chairing of the CC. For the first 18 months of the merger the Council operated with an interim consultative committee with delegates from Canterbury and Bankstown and I was elected by members to be sole depa representative after the interim period.

I actively participated in the construction of the new structure, appointment and expression of interest processes, policy development and all those other things that need to be done creating a bigger Council. I have a broad knowledge of the new merged organisation, and the industry and I have also worked in the private sector.

I think depa provides value for members in providing professional and capable advice and would like to be elected on the committee to increase my knowledge of employment related issues to that I can better represent my fellow colleagues/depa members.

Phone: 9789 9843
Email:

On 14 May 1984, while the rest of Australia was focused on the release of the gold $1 coin, I started work at a small, timid men’s club called the Health Surveyors’ Association.

I knew, as did some of those who appointed me, that it had the potential to abandon its obsequious and conservative past and grow to be a dynamic, assertive and professional union.

How lucky was I to be given an opportunity like this and how lucky have I been to be supported by members, and (usually) a Committee of Management, equally as committed to being part of a respected, effective voice for our professions in local government.

Government respects our views and ignores them at their peril, employers often fear us (a perfect relationship for any union), other unions can’t match our capacity for immediate Blitzkrieg action and depaNews puts our view dramatically, colourfully and authoritatively in a way our members love. And there is no issue they love more than our December Golden Turd Award.

No-one ever wonders what depa thinks.

While my default mode is charming, good-humoured, patient and diplomatic, we go hard when we need to.

I’ll have another four more years, thanks.

Phone: 9712 5255
Email: