FREO MAYORAL BID OVER BROKEN PROMISES

“If we continue as we have in the past four years into the next four years, it is not going to be acceptable,” Cr Ben Lawver, East Ward

BEN Lawver has joined the Fremantle mayoral race to end what the East Ward councillor says is a lack of leadership and action over issues such as homelessness, empty shops and local planning.
StreetWise also understands deputy mayor Jenny Archibald is thinking about running to support Hannah Fitzhardinge’s bid for a second term. A fourth potential candidate has told StreetWise they are thinking of running for mayor and like Cr Archibald have until next month to nominate (no, it’s not former councillor Marija Vujcic).
“It’s one of the scariest things I’ve done,” Cr Lawver told StreetWise yesterday ahead of his launch at the Buffalo Club today. “I have enjoyed being a councillor, but I’m not a fan of Hannah’s leadership style and there a lot of people who feel that as well. A lot of people don’t want her to win.”
Cr Lawver said the City under the existing leadership had not pushed back or lobbied the State Government over issues such as the new WA Police complex, maintenance at Arthur’s Head and a car wash in South Fremantle.
“Four years ago, she promised to have Notre Dame pay rates and fill empty shops, but issue after issue she hasn’t done what she promised. If we continue as we have in the past four years into the next four years, it is not going to be acceptable.”
The policy officer for Labor Senator Glenn Sterle and former maritime union official said as mayor he wanted to work as a team with fellow elected members instead of the current arrangement in which only the mayor can speak and make announcements publicly.
“There needs to be a more collaborative approach. Right now we see the mayor doing everything. I want to use the strengths of each councillor. We have a good group of people who should be out there talking about things they are passionate about instead of it coming through one elected member.
“Using the strengths and relationships of the entire group is a much better outcome for the city. The last four years hasn’t delivered.”
He said dealing with people sleeping on the streets should be a priority rather than just having them moved on by police. One radical thought was finding them a place to sleep, he said.
“Yes it’s complex, but that just means we need to do different things.”
Cr Lawver will campaign for a free public transit zone or CAT bus service to ease congestion during the bridge closures, better support for the arts and protection of the West End, increased tree canopy and keeping the working port in Fremantle.
There can be only two elected members per ward so that council will after October 18 be reduced to nine elected members including the mayor. Two will go.
Cr Archibald has been contacted for comment.