Second candidate announced for Council election

Stephen Sizer has announced he will stand as a candidate in the September 14 Council election, joining Kevin Brooks on the Ratepayers’ Choice ticket.

Sizer currently works as a senior manager for the NSW Government at Transport for NSW.

He has worked in both public and private sectors including large organisations such as Rolls-Royce and Unilever.

Sizer has experience managing multi-million dollar budgets and delivering efficiencies and has worked on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects.

He has a master’s degree in engineering management and a first-class bachelor’s degree in engineering, design and innovation.

He has lived on the Central Coast for 14 years with his wife and two children.

“I’m pleased to join Kevin Brooks to offer ratepayers a real choice in this election,” Sizer said.

“Kevin has been a consistent voice advocating for reforms within Council to deliver better value for money services for ratepayers.

“I have also been frustrated with the lack of transparency and that the community has been denied a voice.

“I am prepared to ask difficult questions on behalf of the community.

“I do not agree with Council CEO David Farmer that the temporary special variation rate increase should be extended as it was only intended for short term purposes such as repayment of the emergency loans.”

Sizer said he was passionate about driving efficiency and value for money, but was also aware that Council exists primarily to provide services to the community to improve quality of life.

“The recent issue of not putting shade cover over child play areas, and Council’s response when this was raised by the community, is an example of how Council has lost touch with the community,” he said.

“Being an engineer, I have experience identifying flaws and anomalies in systems and I think this will help me in reviewing Council processes including accounts and financial plans.

“Above all, I am aware councillors are community representatives and we need to ensure we get the best outcomes and value for money because at the end of the day it is community money that is being spent.”

Brooks said Sizer was a first-class candidate and would make an excellent councillor.

“Stephen’s qualifications and experience in management, engineering, infrastructure and budget management will be a real asset in the Council chamber,” he said.