Journalist Brian Kelly meets Cameron Walters, a Liberal councillor for Ward 1, which covers the northern part of our city
Most residents would welcome the fact that their councillors have their feet firmly on the ground, if only in the sense they are engaged and watchful concerning community needs.
Cameron Walters, Ward 1’s energetic Liberal representative, is all that and yet, in one way at least, he wants to soar high above it all. At 30, Walters has come a long way since being the six-year-old desperate to fly a Boeing 767, and indeed holds a private pilot’s licence. He speaks longingly of life flying above the clouds.
“Maybe this summer, January or February,” says Walters, who needs to refresh his licence.
Taking to the air is not the only way Walters meets a need for speed; he has followed in his father’s tyre-tracks, racing around tracks in the same Ford car that his dad drove in the 1980s/90s.
As for a passion about debating issues that matter: “I suppose I was the nerdy kid who listened to Question Time,” said Walters, who grew up in areas including Dapto before moving to Helensburgh nearly three years ago. He was drawn to the Liberals through an interest in his family’s business, having started as a tyre-fitter at 16. He joined the party at 21, around the time the federal Australian Labor Party was becoming a train wreck before its 2013 election loss.
“I’m small business-oriented and progressive on social policy,” he said, mentioning an invitation to an upcoming same-sex wedding. “We need to accept these social advancements and move on.
“I always look at an issue and ask ‘How does that affect my life?’ The sky certainly hasn’t fallen in since same-sex marriage began in Australia.”
Walter’s civic pride ran to mowing his lawn just before the UCI Road World Championship races started in Helensburgh – an event he thought was mostly well run.
“Business was not consulted enough on its effects, but there were amazing scenes here and it was a great advertisement for our area,” he said, asserting that council should back more events outside Wollongong’s CBD.
His work as a government consultant in the energy sector gives Walters a prime view of society’s transition to renewable sources, one he feels council is addressing well.
“There is no real debate that matters more than the best way to do it. If someone has a good idea, why not back it?” says Walters, confirming his intention to attend an approaching residents meeting in a nearby suburb to discuss solar battery potential and a belief that party politics “don’t play day to day” at council level.
Sports facilities are another area of interest, particularly as Walters prepares to take a role on a council committee which helps steer $500,000 in grants each year.
“Sport is a huge thing for our community,” he said. “You don’t need to have kids to see that or benefit from it.
“A lot of our grounds have good facilities, but others do not. Particularly nowadays with more women participating in sports, it’s important – it’s not very welcoming to newcomers if facilities aren’t up to scratch.”
Q&A with Cr Cameron Walters
Which accomplishment as a councillor has brought you the most satisfaction?
For me as a Ward 1 councillor, it was getting some of the little things covered in the budget this year - Ward 1’s first fenced dog park in Helensburgh, footpaths added to the budget to start fixing the missing links and playground upgrades which should have been done years ago.
Which council ambition/project was your 'one that got away'?
I was extremely disappointed when Rex Jackson Oval didn’t get extra lighting this financial year. However, as incoming chair of council’s sports and facilities reference group, I look forward to tackling the challenges our sporting groups and users are facing, and hopefully continuing the legacy of increasing funding to these facilities, as it is desperately required.
How often do you attend neighbourhood forums?
Usually monthly, depending on commitments to other events within the city.
Where should council's priorities lie over the next five years?
Improving and completing much-needed infrastructure like upgrades to sporting fields, completing a new Helensburgh Library and Community Centre as soon as possible, increased kerb and guttering, and better footpath connections in our northern suburbs. Furthermore, making sure that services that council delivers across our northern suburbs are accessible to everyone, not just those living close to Wollongong CBD.
Everyone is feeling the rising cost of living this year – how has this affected you?
I’m preparing for the cost of living continuing to rise over the coming years. Like many, I have had to reassess my financial commitments while upwards pressure is put on the economy.
What's your favourite Illawarra beach?
Completely biased, but Stanwell Park beach has always been my favourite. It’s unique in character compared to the rest of the beaches in the Wollongong LGA.