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An enthusiastic group of community campaigners was chosen to run for the September 3 council elections in Wollongong.

About 100 people attended the preselection meeting for Community Voice at Thirroul Community Centre on July 24. CV was formed about a month ago.

The process was simple, democratic and transparent — values at the core of CV’s platform. Part of the reason for the formation of CV was to bring a community focus to council, standing against the entrenched corruption of local politics that culminated in the sacking of Wollongong council in 2008.

Unaccountable appointees of the former NSW Labor government have run the council since.

In Ward 1 (northern suburbs), community activists Jess Moore and Chris Williams won preselection to lead the ticket. Both are well known locally for their work in Stop CSG Illawarra, which is campaigning against coal seam gas mining in the area

In Ward 2 (central suburbs) Rob Carr and Adam Jordan won preselection. Both are well known in the local music scene. When Jordan was called to speak, some supporters in the back of the room started playing “eye of the tiger” on guitar.

In Ward 3 (southern suburbs), community leaders Adrianne Talbot-Thomson and Robynne Murphy won preselection for positions 1 and 2. They are part of a growing team that run the Port Kembla community centre and various pro-poor initiatives.



Bruno Conte, neighbourhood forum campaigner, also won preselection in Ward 3.

A full team of twelve candidates will run as well as a mayoral candidate. These will be finalised at the mayoral preselection at Port Kembla Leagues Club on July 31. This will be followed by a fundraiser and campaign launch.

Prospective candidates were given two minutes to speak to the crowd before the votes were cast. One of the more important issues raised by many was the need for a more liveable city.

Plans for the future are to bring art and music to the city centre as well as the outer suburbs, most importantly developing the talents of the young people of Wollongong. Curbing unfettered development and beautifying the city was also an issue.

Proposals for making council more accessible include giving local neighbourhood forums greater scope in council decision-making with councillors to attend and bring proposals back to council meetings. There were also calls for amenities to be free and available to the community.

[To get involved or find out more, , or follow CV at