New mayor backs safe Appin Road before new homes

New Campbelltown mayor Paul Hawker would support a move to make Appin Road safe before a single person moved into the giant new estate of Mount Gilead.

“It will all depend on the process but the Joint Regional Planning Panel could impose a condition that Appin Road be done first before houses were completed,’’ he said.

“Well, one would hope that is what happens,’’ the Liberal Party councillor and former army major told a makeshift media conference moments after defeating Labor’s George Brticevic 8-7 to become mayor for the first time, 11 years after first being elected to Campbelltown City Council.

Cr Hawker is also the first Vietnam War veteran to be elected Mayor of Campbelltown.

He served in the army for almost 40 years but he is now retired.

Asked if he would do the mayor’s job fulltime, Cr Hawker said:  “I won’t be coming to this building every day and annoying the staff.

“I will come in when there are things to do but the rest of the time I will stay home with my family.’’

Cr Hawker said his mayorship would be a little different from his predecessors.

“Passion is passion, but I will be a little different from Paul Lake, Clinton Mead and Sue Dobson (the previous three mayors of this term),’’ he said.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I am more a realist and if I can achieve one thing that enhances this city I will be awfully proud.[/social_quote]

“I have a passion to do the right thing for the community.

“I want to bring the community along with us, with whatever we try to do to make this a better place.’’

His deputy for the next 12 months will be one of Campbelltown’s youngest councillors, Alana Matheson, the daughter of the former mayor and current federal member for Macarthur, Russell Matheson.

Mr Matheson, who was in the public gallery for the vote that saw Cr Alana Matheson defeat veteran councillor Fred Borg 8-7, said afterwards” “I am so proud of my daughter.’’

Cr Hawker has served on council since 2004, chairing the Community Safety and Campbelltown Arts Centre Sub Committees.

He has also served on the Corporate Governance Committee, City Works Committee, Association of Mine Related Councils, Macarthur Zone Bush Fire Management Committee, Macarthur Zone Rural Fire Service District Liaison Committee and the Sydney Metro West Region Joint Regional Planning Panel.

He is currently the President of the Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils, Senior Director of Local Government NSW, and a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group for Fit for the Future.

Cr Matheson was elected to Council in 2012, and has been a member of the Planning and Environment and Community Services Committees throughout her tenure.

“It’s a great privilege to be elected to the position of Mayor of Campbelltown, and I look forward to this opportunity to serve my community, alongside Deputy Mayor Alana Matheson,” Cr Hawker said.

“As a Regional City Centre, Campbelltown is the hub of one of the most significant current and future growth areas in south west Sydney and I will be working with all my fellow councillors to provide the best results for our residents.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I’m ready to listen and work with all sections of the community to ensure the council continues to meet the needs and interests of residents.[/social_quote]

“I want to ensure that Campbelltown is in the strongest position to manage the new growth and continues to meet the expectations of our community,” Cr Hawker said.

“The next 12 months will be a busy period, with a focus on expanding employment opportunities, services and transport connections for Campbelltown now, and into the future.

“Council will continue work with State Government on the development of the Glenfield to Macarthur Urban Renewal Corridor and press on with the delivery of city-wide improvement works as part of council’s Renew, Connect, Revitalise program, which is a great investment in the city’s infrastructure.

“I’m excited about what the future holds for Campbelltown, and look forward to promoting further opportunities as the region continues to expand,” Cr Hawker said.

Also present in the public gallery was Paul Tosi, who has just retired as council general manager after 15 years and replaced by Lindy Deitz.

Every single councillor stood and paid a tribute to Mr Tosi, who was also honoured with a farewell function at the art gallery last Friday night.