Debra Wales stands as independent

Peninsula resident Ms Debra Wales has announced that she will nominate as Community Independent for the new Seat of Gosford in the NSW State Election in March.

"My decision to resign from the Liberal Party and to stand as an independent did not come lightly," Ms Wales said.

"The Liberal Party is not the organization I joined over 10 years ago and that has been a real concern to me.

"Over the Christmas break I was overwhelmed by people in the community who urged me to stand as an independent at the State election.

"People do not feel that their concerns are being adequately listened to by the major parties and they feel they need a community independent representing them in State Parliament.

"They want a hardworking representative that will take local issues to government and not the major parties telling them what they need.

"I stand on my track record as a fighter for our community."

Ms Wales said that the community was clearly concerned over the mismanagement of the water supply system after "16 years of inaction" by Gosford Council to drought-proof the Central Coast.

"One of the major concerns is water management and redressing council's failure to implement the much needed infrastructure such as the pump station to the Upper Wyong River" said Ms Wales

"I strongly object to Gosford Council using our water/sewerage funds as a cash cow to fund other projects totally unrelated to our water supply.

"If elected I will ensure that a Central Coast Water Corporation is put in place and managed by qualified experts in water supply who are capable of planning for our future needs rather than the unacceptable situation we currently have where unqualified councilors are dictating our future."

Ms Wales said that she was very concerned at the lack of opportunities for local jobs for young people and the plight of daily commuters traveling into Sydney and Newcastle on overcrowded transport systems.

"People are telling me they want local jobs and more time with their families rather than commuting everyday," Ms Wales said.

"I will ensure that more incentives are provided for corporate and government relocations so that greater opportunities are available for local job generation.

"I will also ensure that the government gets behind the fast ferry link from Ettalong Beach to Circular Quay as an alternative to spending billions of dollars on a second freeway.

"The second freeway might be a good idea to some but it is so far down the track that it has little relevance to those who have commute daily into Sydney.

"In relation to law and order, while some want to re-open the police shop front at Umina Beach and waste our taxes on cardboards cut outs, the local community are telling me that they want police on the beat where they are visible at our known trouble spots.

"We need to know our local police sergeant once again.

"I will also push for legislation that overhauls the judicial system so that our local police can have confidence that offenders don't walk out of court with just a slap on the wrist.

"I will also push to have courts hand down community service sentences for first offenders.

"This will be the election where independents will have an enormous impact in the next State Parliament.

"I believe grass roots representatives who really understand their local communities will have an important role to play and I want to be there representing the people of Gosford and the Peninsula."

Press release, 5 Feb 2007 Debra Wales, Independent candidate for Gosford