Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews has backed calls from Local Government NSW (LGNSW) for more women to consider running for local government in next year’s Council elections.
Cr Matthews said while women make up 51.6 per cent of the Central Coast community, only 40 per cent of our councillors are women.
The six women on our 15 member Council are Cr Matthews and Councillors Jane Smith (deputy mayor), Jilly Pilon, Rebecca Gale, Louise Greenaway and Jillian Hogan.
At 40% female representation, the Central Coast is above the state average of around 31%.
“It is imperative women, and particularly young women, have every opportunity to be a representative voice for the community,” Cr Matthews said.
“As a Councillor for the past 12 years I’ve championed gender equality for women of the Central Coast and getting involved in local government,
“However we need to ensure women are supported through appropriate mentoring and pathways to enable this to occur.”
LGNSW President, Lunda Scott, said women have a lot to offer their communities and urged women to start thinking about running in the 2021 elections.
She praised a recent campaign launched by Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, and Minister for Women, Bronnie Taylor, aimed at increasing the number of female councillors serving on the state’s 128 councils.
“While we have made steps towards equality in other parts of society, the gender gap in local government is real and we can do better.”
The government will provide $100,000 for a series of workshops and programs for potential female candidates.
Scott said the campaign was a step in the right direction.
“Government at all levels should reflect the communities they represent, and the number of women in NSW councils tells us we have a long way to go,” she said.
“Which is why LGNSW welcomes this new State Government initiative as part of efforts to address this.
“Some women don’t get involved in council because of demanding workloads they are already carrying out and a lack of appropriate financial compensation to make it viable.
“LGNSW has been calling on the NSW Government to introduce reforms that would provide superannuation for councillors.”
Scott said being a councillor can be a personally rewarding experience.
“I first ran for council because I wanted to make sure my local community continued to be a wonderful place to live,” she said.
“I have two sons and I wanted them to grow up in a place that had lots of facilities and parks.
“I also wanted a council that acted on global issues like climate change as well as local issues such as ensuring people had an affordable place to live.
“It’s been rewarding to be part of council and make a difference, and I hope this new campaign will encourage other women to get involved.”
Terry Collins