Journalist Brian Kelly interviews Richard Martin, a Labor councillor for Ward 1, which covers the northern suburbs of Wollongong

Richard Martin was a Gold Coast schoolboy when he came home one afternoon in November 1975 to find his mother in tears.

“I asked her why she was crying, and she said ‘they sacked Gough Whitlam’,” he says, recalling the beginnings of his political engagement, one which never went through the crucible of university activitism, like so many with such a passion.

Martin, an Illawarra resident of 11 years and a city councillor for just over one year, left the education system in grade 10. “My background is the school of hard knocks – I left school and my mother was devastated,” he said. “I started working for a bank, where a regular customer asked me to come and work at Yamaha Music Australia.”

Working with another firm, Martin left Australia in 2000 to pursue career opportunities in the UK and US before returning to Queensland to care for his mother, who had cancer, and later finding his way south. He splits his time between council work, two days a week working for Keira MP Ryan Park and managing a company that looks after authors in the mind/body/spirit field.

Having admired the work of fellow Laborites such as Jenelle Rimmer and Janice Kershaw, he was happy to find himself elected in December 2021 from second on the party’s ticket.

“I really think that, as councillors, we have to listen to the community, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do in this first year,” he said. “We mightn’t be able to solve everything, but we have to listen to their concerns.”

“There are certain things we don’t have power over, and that is concerning for residents.”

He hopes that a potential change of power in Macquarie St on March 25 might allow approaches to the next local government minister to give councils back some of the autonomy they have lost in areas such as adjudicating development applications.

Meantime, issues such as the traffic that overwhelms Thirroul and other northern suburbs draw Martin’s focus. “In November 2019, the state government said ‘we’re going to do some surveys, talk to residents’ … well, we’re now in 2023 and they still haven’t addressed the traffic issues.”

“I’m asking council to write to the state government and the minister to ask what the hell is going on – this is their road, this is their issue and we’ve got to address it.”

The success of the protest movement in stopping the mega-development of Thirroul Plaza last year indicated to Martin the future of such attempts in the area.

“It’s going to have to be smaller – not as many apartments,” Martin said. “I don’t think anyone disagrees with having shops and an upgrade to Coles but it has to be a balance for the area. Everyone agrees something must be done to that site.”

Campaigning in Helensburgh, Martin learned that residents felt “unloved and uncared for … they felt like they were the ‘lost sister’ up in the hills and nothing was happening” regarding council attention.

“Cameron Walters and I are going to the forums, we’re hearing that kerbing and guttering is a major issue up there – some residents want it, some don’t because they want that feel of a country town.

“Footpaths is a big concern, we’re fixing up Walker St … it has taken a while to get the right site and mix for the library/community centre, but touch wood, we’ll have something fantastic in a couple of years.

“We’re also working with a few residents to set up a Friends of Helensburgh Cemetery group to help with its upkeep.”

A massive AFL fan, Martin keeps up to date with Collingwood, with more regular visits to see GWS Giants in action, and he is broadening his interests into the doings of the Dragons (rugby league) and Hawks (basketball). 

Q&A with Cr Richard Martin

Which accomplishment as a councillor has brought you the most satisfaction?

I have only just got elected in December 2021,  I would have to say listening to the residents about the changes to short St, Helensburgh, and making sure that council staff  adopted what the residents wanted.  

Which council ambition/project do you feel was your 'one that got away'?

Nothing at this stage. 

How often do you attend neighbourhood forums?

I attend forum 1 & 4 every second month and I also go to Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group and Thirroul Village. 

Where should council's priorities lie over the next five years?

Finishing Helensburgh’s long-awaited library and community centre. Kerbing and guttering needs major attention in Helensburgh. 

Everyone is feeling the rising cost of living this year – how has this affected you?

I think everyone is looking to tighten the belt during this period and I am no different.  

What's your favourite Illawarra beach?

Little Austi due to being a great dog beach.