Drew Jenner is standing as an Independent. He says he worked for the Bureau of Meteorology for 24 years, has been involved in Landcare and is active in athletics as both a representative and official. His campaign emphasises evidence-based decision-making, environmental protection, community wellbeing and long-term planning for Clarence.

Candidate for Mayor and Councillor

As part of my candidate profiles, I have asked candidates to respond directly to a series of questions about issues affecting Clarence. Drew Jenner has provided detailed answers and has given me permission to use and summarise his responses.

Rather than giving candidates a simple YES or NO from me, I am providing their views so residents can read what they actually stand for and make their own informed decisions.

BACKGROUND
Drew brings a varied background to his candidacy.
He has studied Traffic Engineering and majored in Environmental Engineering, and spent 25 years with the Bureau of Meteorology.

Those areas of experience are reflected strongly in his answers, particularly on transport, planning, waste management, development and protection of green spaces.

PARKING
Drew believes parking decisions need to be based on the individual location and proper information about how an area is actually being used.
He uses the Bellerive ferry terminal as an example, saying information about the types of users and the times they use the service should help determine how many additional car parks and disabled parking spaces are needed.

He is concerned about newer developments becoming dominated by concrete and parking at the expense of gardens and green space. For higher-density apartments close to shops and transport centres, he believes underground parking
should be considered.

Drew does not support giving up parkland around the Rosny Barn for additional parking, arguing that most events occur when the adjoining shopping-centre car park is not full.

YEARLY HARD RUBBISH
Drew would like Council to review its existing tip arrangements and lease.
He believes waste can be a valuable resource and questions whether vouchers are the best system.

One idea he would like considered is based on a New Zealand approach — a designated annual hard-rubbish weekend, possibly following the Garage Sale Trail.

Items could first be reused or collected by other residents, with Council then considering scheduled collections for particular categories such as:

• timber products
• whitegoods
• electrical goods

His aim is to encourage greater reuse and better sorting rather than simply sending mixed waste to landfill.

GREEN SPACES
This is clearly an important issue for Drew. Drawing on his environmental background and his time overseas, he believes green spaces are one of the things that make cities liveable and that their value will continue to increase. His view is that Clarence’s green spaces should be: protected, connected and retained wherever possible.
He believes sufficient private land exists for development without sacrificing important public green areas.

DOG PARKS
Drew notes that Clarence has more than 9,500 registered dogs.
He says he would want to speak directly with residents in different suburbs before deciding where additional dog parks should be located.
He has also raised concerns about possible avian-flu risks associated with migratory birds and says he would like to see further evidence and information before making decisions in this area.

DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT PANELS — DAPs
Drew’s answer is very clear:
He is AGAINST DAPs and supports scrapping them.

HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT
Drew believes long-term planning is one of Council’s fundamental responsibilities.
He wants Clarence planning to look 10, 20 and even 50 years ahead.
In new growth areas he would like Council to identify proposed:

• roads
• walking paths
• tracks
• trails
• transport connections

before developers begin their detailed work.

His argument is that developers should know Council’s expectations from the beginning, reducing delays, redesigns and disputes later.
He has also suggested that Council could have several pre-designed small and tiny-home plans available, high-quality, architecturally designed and energy-efficient homes suitable for southern Tasmania’s climate.
Larger homes and developments would continue through the normal planning process.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Drew wants more buses and better-timed bus services throughout Clarence and says Council should lobby the State Government persistently for improvements.
He would also like to investigate whether community buses could help fill gaps in existing services.
He supports the State Government operating ferries in Clarence, while acknowledging that ferries are expensive and currently service only part of the Clarence population.
His position is that ferries should not be seen as a substitute for improving the broader bus network.

CLARENCE’S COASTLINE
Drew sees protection of Clarence’s coastline as closely connected with protection of its green spaces. He is concerned about warming oceans and increasing industrial activity in Storm Bay and believes Council must take an active role in monitoring water quality and protecting our beaches.

He also has a much bigger vision for the Tangara Trail.
Drew would like to see it developed further to help create a continuous coastal trail around more than 100 kilometres of Clarence coastline.
His ambition is for Clarence to eventually have a coastal walking experience capable of becoming recognised well beyond Tasmania.

TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
Drew’s position is straightforward:
Ratepayers fund Council, so he believes they should be able to see reports and have the opportunity to comment on them.
He believes greater openness also helps councillors learn from community feedback.

KANGAROO BAY
Drew supports a transparent, community-focused outcome for Kangaroo Bay.
He believes development should be accessible to people of all ages and designed to encourage ongoing community activity.
He also believes the site’s existing maritime character needs to be respected, including consideration of the marina and yacht club.
For Drew, successful inner-urban development should encourage both local repeat use and visitor activity rather than relying solely on tourism.

POLITICAL PARTY ALIGNMENT
Drew describes himself as: “Independent and always will be!”
He says even his campaign colours — pink with purple/blue — were deliberately chosen so they were not associated with a political party.

DREW JENNER — MAYORAL CANDIDATE
Drew’s responses give voters a much clearer picture of the type of Clarence he would like to see: protection of green space, longer-term planning, improved public transport, greater transparency and stronger community involvement in development decisions.
His campaign slogan is: “For the KIND of Clarence YOU want.”

As always, I encourage Clarence residents to read the candidates’ own words, ask questions and do your own research before voting.
The purpose of these profiles is to provide information — the final assessment belongs to you, the voter.

Research every candidate. Look at their history. Look at their votes. Look beyond the glossy brochures. Then decide who you trust to represent you.

My assessment: This candidate profile contains factual information drawn from publicly available material, council records and public statements, together with my own opinions and assessment of the candidate’s record and suitability for Clarence City Council. Readers are encouraged to consider the information, do their own research and make their own decisions.

Authorised by: Janice Overett – 10 Jennings Crt, Nubeena 7185