Ex-banker set to run for Council

Rosemary de Lambert will stand as an Independent for the Gosford East ward in the September 14 Central Coast Council election.

The Hardys Bay resident said she has had 20 years of management experience in banking and finance, working for Macquarie Bank, overseeing big corporations and assessing risk.

But she’s no typical banker -she says motorbikes and fast cars are her weakness.

“I thought to stand out and to save time, maybe I should ride a race bike around the area handing out my leaflets and cards,” she said.

Having stepped back from the corporate life, de Lambert said she wants to put her passion and financial skills to work for the community as an independent councillor.

“A friend said to me, if you really want to make a difference for the community get on the council,” she said.

She has lived part-time on the Central Coast for almost 30 years and moved here permanently in 2020.

“The Central Coast is such a beautiful prosperous area to live in and yet we had a dysfunctional council,” de Lambert said.

“I know numbers, I understand their importance, they underpin our economy and I know I can make a great contribution in getting back on track.

“The council has a chance for a fresh start and an opportunity for what I describe as sensible development.

“My skill set will come in very handy when it comes to negotiating with other councillors and getting things done.

“We need firstly to listen to the community and work out priorities, make sure they are attended to, and everything is done correctly and to budget.”

She sees mental health as an area which needs urgent attention, with 11 per cent of the region’s population suffering.

She said the Council can help.

“For example, on a grass roots level there’s been a lot of volunteer effort to create a community shed here in Killcare,” she said.

“I think it could be combined with a community garden initiative which also has huge local support.

“Both projects have stalled at council level.

“It’s initiatives like this though that would really go a long way in helping people get out of the house, stay well or get back to good health.”