Emma Goyne was first elected to Clarence Council in 2022. She has described a background in small business and was previously a Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate for the federal seat of Lyons at the 2022 election, where she received 5.35% of first preferences.
Candidate for Mayor and Councillor
We need a Council who advocates effectively for infrastructure improvements when the planning scheme expects us to approve developments particularly where the Urban Growth Boundary is adjusted and infrastructure needs to be put before the developments.
You cannot expect roads/water/waste management built in horse and buggy times to accommodate thousands of extra people, cars and homes.
Parking
Building multi-storey parking facilities should a priority, particularly at the Percy Street and Bayfield Street car parks. I also support advocating for additional parking near ferry terminals.
On-street parking should remain free where possible, with sensible time limits. In many cases, 15-minute parking limits are impractical for families, older residents, and people with accessibility needs. Time limits should reflect the realities of daily life and support local businesses without creating unnecessary pressure on residents and visitors.
Yearly Hard Waste Collection
Annual hard waste collection should be reinstated. A suburb-by-suburb booked collection system I believe would be a practical and achievable approach.
I support providing the service free of charge for low-income households, with a subsidised user-pays model for other residents. I would also like Council to support community garage sale events in each suburb during the collection period, encouraging reuse, reducing waste, and strengthening community connections.
Green Spaces
Green spaces are vital for mental health, community wellbeing, and environmental health. Council should actively promote the use and protection of outdoor spaces while supporting public access and preserving natural values. Many will criticise my support of the HPC, without understanding my motivation to support the development in Rosny Parklands only – was to activate and progress the City Heart Plan, The HPC should always have been built in Cambridge- of that I have never wavered.
The use of hazardous chemicals in our green spaces should be minimised wherever possible, with weed management focused on targeted, reactive responses rather than routine scheduled spraying.
I have a lifelong passion for environmental health and regenerative land management, with a particular interest in mycology, flora and fauna conservation, and sustainable land management practices.
Road Repairs
Road maintenance and repair should be a priority. All roads should be fit for purpose before resources are directed elsewhere.
As a survivor of a near fatal car accident in my teen years, the costs to community is far higher than ensuring our roads are safe and fit for purpose, instead of constantly reducing speed limits to accommodate poor road construction, management and design.
The Pass Rd fiasco is the perfect example.
I would also like to see more road work undertaken directly by Council, rather than relying heavily on external contractors. Stronger quality assurance processes are needed to ensure completed roadworks meet the required standards and that contractors are held accountable for the quality of their work.
Dog Parks
Ideally, every suburb should have access to a dog park.
Design layout and locations should be suitable and appropriate education for users to ensure park safety and enrichment for our canine companions. These spaces are not crèche for inattentive owners.
It is important to recognise that dog parks are not suitable for every dog.
Council must continue to provide access to a variety of open spaces for canine companions while promoting responsible dog ownership and management. My views are informed by studies and experience in veterinary nursing, wildlife rehabilitation, canine emotion and cognition, canine nutrition, and a Diploma of Equine Science. Interestingly, many principles of equine science align closely with canine welfare, particularly the importance of the Five Domains model of animal welfare.
Development Assessment Panels (DAPs)
I do not support Development Assessment Panels.
While I often feel frustrated by the limitations placed on councillors through planning legislation and their legal obligations as members of the planning authority, maintaining a direct connection between the community and Council in planning matters is essential. Local residents deserve meaningful representation and accountability in decisions affecting their communities.
Housing and Development
I support sensible development and appropriate infill housing in locations that already have access to services and infrastructure.
However, it is important to acknowledge that local government has limited influence over broader housing policy. Much of Council’s role is one of advocacy rather than direct control. I prefer to be honest about those limitations rather than overstate what councillors can realistically achieve.
Public Transport
Public transport is another area where local government’s role is primarily advocacy.
Claims that councillors can directly deliver major public transport changes or significantly alter state planning processes often misunderstand how local government operates. Councillors can advocate strongly on behalf of their communities, but implementation rests largely with the State Government and relevant authorities.
Clarence Coastline
Clarence’s coastline is truly the jewel in our crown and deserves protection, support, and careful stewardship.
I would like to see greater collaboration and stronger working relationships between all agencies responsible for coastal management. Too often responsibility is shifted between organisations rather than addressed collectively. Better coordination between all levels of government would lead to stronger outcomes for our coastline and community.
Accountability and Transparency
This is, in my view, the most important issue currently facing Council.
Council is nothing without transparency. Public money belongs to the community, and Council exists to serve the people. The community is effectively our employer.
Throughout my term, I have consistently advocated for greater transparency and accountability, sometimes at great personal and professional cost. Ironically, I am currently unable to discuss some matters openly because I am bound by legally enforced confidentiality requirements that I did not consent too.
Kangaroo Bay Development
The buyback process is already well underway. In my view, the site should never have been sold in the first place.
The future of Kangaroo Bay should be determined by the community, and I will do everything I can to ensure community voices are heard. I do not support using this site for additional parking. Prime waterfront land should be used in ways that maximise community benefit, while parking solutions should be developed elsewhere.
Party Alignment
I am not affiliated with any political party.
I was briefly a member of One Nation in 2020 and have never attempted to hide this. However, throughout my time on Council I have taken an independent approach and have brought forward a broad range of practical and environmentally focused motions, questions, and ideas. In fact I’d say I’ve done more and asked more questions regarding environmental issues than all of my green/teal colleagues put together.
I consider myself a balanced, thoughtful, and independent decision-maker who evaluates issues on their merits rather than through any preconceived lens- I believe local government should have balanced political representation and would happily have sacrificed the pay rise to ensure 12 seats remain at the table.
I believe equality should mean genuine equality for everyone. Judging people based on
assumptions rather than facts only perpetuates the very prejudice and division many claim to oppose.
I value open, respectful, and honest conversations with people holding a wide range of political views. As Brené Brown might describe it, I believe in approaching those conversations with openness, courage, kindness, and wholeheartedness.
A bird, needs both wings to fly.
I value open dialogue and will happily answer any questions unless they are breaching the current legal matter and look forward to full public transparency on this matter as soon as legally possible.
Or you can inbox or call me, to discuss privately – 0418 396 040
Responsible person: Janice Overett, 10 Jennings Crt, Nubeena 7185