Albany mayoral contest 2023: Grow smart, develop sustainably and capitalise on opportunity, say candidates

This year’s race to become the next City of Albany mayor is being contested by seven candidates. Every Thursday in the lead-up to the October 21 election The Advertiser will ask each candidate a key question to give our community a better insight into who they are voting for. This week we asked the candidates: Their responses have been limited to 100 words each and the candidates have been ordered according to how they will appear on the ballot paper. Lynn MacLaren Growth for growth’s sake is unsustainable. Smart growth, within our current resources, respectful of our environment, celebrating our architectural heritage, can be beautiful. The council can set rules for excellent high and medium density and for character precincts. This conserves our environment, strengthens business centres, increases walkability, improves community life and affordability. As mayor I will ensure all sectors of Albany’s communities are engaged in these decisions as Albany grows. Greg Stocks Opening North Yakamia area via the construction of Range Road would make available 6000 lots, providing enough housing land for the next 30 years. If there is no housing land available, Albany simply can’t grow. Albany should also seek funding from the $10 billion Federal Housing Australia Future Fund for infrastructure, providing opportunities for surveyed town sites like Wellstead and South Stirlings. Developing these sites will reinvigorate Albany’s rural communities. Boost tourism, FIFO employment by upgrading the airport and developing tourism infrastructure. Cheryl Kneebone A new innovative centre will bring growth to Albany bringing eco-investment and eco-strategies that will ensure a whole new era. We can easily maintain Albany’s delightful character if we approach development with a natural approach. Matt Benson-Lidholm Hopefully, the stimulation and management of resulting developments will produce a socially and environmentally focused community, delivering for the wellbeing of all residents and visitors to the City municipality. Maintaining Albany’s built and environmental character, as part of any development, must be considered by the local community and stakeholders, facilitated by a shared understanding of the scope and goals of the City’s economic development platform. Scott Leary It was a great opportunity to showcase our City to Australia and the world. We have another opportunity to do that with the Bicentenary in 2026. With consideration and consultation, we can continue to take a measured approach to development to ensure we complement our much-needed housing expansion with complimenting infrastructure. With the right approach, we won’t change Albany’s character as it is a direct reflection of us the residents. Ken Kelly Upgrade waste management to reduce environmental impacts, have easy access to green and public spaces but there are policies in place for these outcomes. One area to focus on is implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, climate change and resilience to disasters. And always shop, eat and drink locally. Everything we need for our survival and wellbeing depends on our natural environment so sustainability means environmental, social and economic. Albany’s character as a vibrant coastal city with stunning scenic vistas must be preserved with strict rules on development near the coastline. Chris Thomson We should focus on Albany’s development rather than its growth. And that development must be of the ecologically sustainable kind. Urban sprawl must be rapidly curtailed. We need a more compact city that respects its outstanding natural and built heritage. Increasing housing diversity and encouraging urban renewal in strategic areas including the Woolstores site are addressed by my 12-point plan that can be found at https://christhomsonalbany.com.au/view-my-12-point-plan-for-albany. As chair of the City’s development and infrastructure services committee, and as someone with a master’s degree in planning, I know how to transform the south coast’s only city into WA’s best city.