Candidate: Lee Watts

scone.com.au asked each candidate in the upcoming Upper Hunter Shire Council elections a series of questions to allow readers to compare and contrast responses, based on questions sent by our readers and stories which generated the most interest in the community:

1: An overview of your background:

My family moved to Scone more than 40 years ago. My dad, Bill Jordan, moved us to Scone to manage the swimming pool and I spent my summers working in the canteen. I went to School here and played sports here. I met and married my husband Colin here, raised my daughter Jaala here and now I enjoy watching my grandchildren growing up here.

For more than 20 years I have managed the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre and I love the many grassroots activities that help create our communities.  I have worked for and with the community advocating for disadvantaged families to ensure they are heard and treated fairly; I assisted in establishing the Scone and Aberdeen Men’s Sheds.

I have served on Council for 12 years and I currently hold the position of President of the Scone Horse Festival.

2: Why are you running for Council?

I really believe that when something needs to be done you should get in and do it; not wait for someone else to do it. For 12 years I’ve served on this Council representing everyone that is a part of the area, listening and working to improve the lives of the people living and using local services and infrastructure. I have decided to stand again as I believe l have the passion and the energy to represent this community for another four years if elected.

3: Have you been on Council before? How many years? In what roles?

For 12 years I’ve served on Local Government in the positions of Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor, representing everyone that is a part of the area.

4: What are the three main issues you would like to address as a Councillor if you are elected?

1: The overpass, the town of Scone should not be dissected.

2: I have been a part of improvements committees for recreational facilities for quite a few years and would like to see the indoor pool finally get traction and the arena for White Park.

3: The water supply completed to Murrurundi with the villages tapped into it. (Safety)

I represent the entire Shire and there are so many line items I would like brought forward and complete but these three for the reasons listed above.

5: What do you think Councillors could be doing better?

I will not speak on behalf of the others Councillors I will let them speak for themselves should they choose. I am not perfect but I believe I have done the best job I could have during the last term on Council and in the past 12 years. I have put my heart and soul into representing this community and while every decision may not be the outcome everyone wanted, I can say I have always based my decisions on the material I have gathered and by listening to those involved and/or affected.

6: Who have you listed on your “How to Vote” (in order):

Lee Watts, James Burns, Debra Haydon Liam Garment, Arthur Wright

7: In the referendum will you be voting for a directly elected Mayor? (yes / no).

YES I believe the community have the right to choose who should lead their elected Councillors.

8: Are you currently or have you ever been a member of a political party or campaigned for a political party?

NO, Local Government should be non-political. Parties have no place in this level of Government.

9: Do you stand by your decision to sell the library building without community consultation, putting it on the public record or put out to public tender?

Although I was a Councillor I was not able to be involved with discussions about the sale of the library building or vote on the matter, because I am also the manager of the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre which is a tenant in the building and we pay rent to the Upper Hunter Shire Council for office space.

10: While not legally required, do you feel it is ethically required for Council to place on the public record the sale of any Council owned land and buildings?

I do Council should be transparent while I do not feel the name of the person/s negotiating to buy the building needs to be disclosed if they choose to keep it confidential. I do think consultation should be the first point of process, the process, if negotiations are taking place and that the sale when complete be recorded.

11: Do you think it was acceptable that septic services were closed without your knowledge and without it being placed on public record?

No I do not and the closure of any service should go through a consultation process. Councillors should be made aware, be provided with the information so they can make an informed decision before any change take place.

12: As an existing Councillor do you think you have been able to ensure Council has been transparent and proactive with the community? Why / why not?

Transparency and good communication are the two biggest achievements for any Council if you can tick these boxes with your community you are 90% in touch. No one person can ensure this but I try to ensure that information is circulated. Council have accepted they need to be more transparent with the community and policies have been brought in to make sure this happens and I hope each and every Council follow those processes to keep the community informed.

Council have been proactive this term working to reach all of the community through different media models.

13: Will you support free green waste drop off or green waste bins?

Yes to both. I believe everyone tries to recycle in one form or another. Recycling and the less that is put in landfill saves money for the ratepayer and is a proven way to make landfill smaller. With most of our town’s landfill nearly full we need options to reduce it.

Council needs to find way to use green waste for compost on Council gardens and sell itback to the community providing free green waste drop off at our waste disposal sites.  Green bins are an excellent opportunity to encourage recycling in the community. I have mentioned this several times in Council.

14: Many residents report feeling unsafe going for a walk due to the number of stray dogs. Do you think Council’s current response time of 24 hours for a ranger to attend to a call for a stray dog is acceptable? What would you propose?

Council do have in place a process that if there are dangerous or menacing dogs roaming officers can be called out. However there are problem with this process in who determines if the dog is dangerous and should the ranger investigate if there is one available. The process should be that when the after hour’s number is rung Council acts on the call.

15: Do you feel the water pipeline to Murrurundi is progressing well or could Council be doing more to expediate this infrastructure?

I would like the time frame to move closer than 2020 timeline. The current water source for Murrurundi has issues due to drought,; the existing system has limited ability to pre-treat the water; the off-river storage has a history of blue-green algal blooms As a result of these issues Murrurundi are often on water restrictions.

The current solution is not suitable for long term use is why Council need to shorten the time frame to ensure the residents of Murrurundi have access to a safe and secure water supply.

16: What improved recreational facilities would you support across the Shire?

Indoor pool that includes a hydrotherapy pool. Every town needs a room or hall in good condition that includes cooling and heating for dance, gym and other children’s indoor activities. Currently in Scone the Tai Chi support group have to use the Council Chambers as there is not another location for them. Shade covers over all play equipment – This is in the budget for future years. Indoor arena and complex for White Park.

17: Where can people find more information about you? (ie link to website or facebook page)

Feel free to phone me on 0413 036 628 or you can find out what I am up to on my facebook page: Lee Watts.

Related story:

• Meet the 2016 Candidates.