Local government elections will be held on September 14, 2024.
As part of our series featuring Wollongong's candidates for Lord Mayor, Independent candidate Ryan Morris answers questions.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
I am standing for Lord Mayor and Councillor in Ward 1. I live with my wife, two sons and two huskies in Austinmer. I have spent most of my life in the ADF, primarily in the Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment, where I served Australia in many capacities and countries including Afghanistan. I obtained my Masters Degree in Irregular Warfare and Special Operations from UNSW during my time in the ADF.
Since discharging from the ADF, my wife has taken the lead on work for the household, which has afforded me the opportunity to be at home more looking after the kids and the dogs, something I wholeheartedly enjoy. I have been able to complete my Primary Ethics training becoming an Ethics teacher at my son’s school. I also volunteer on the Austinmer Nippers Committee surrounded by great people. In my spare time, I surf, rock climb and go camping, which we enjoy doing as a family.
Why are you the best person to be Wollongong’s next Lord Mayor?
I have spent my career planning for challenging situations and putting forward sound frameworks to achieve significant results within the constraints of any situation. I would bring that same planning structure to the council’s leadership team and work with the CEO of the council to put forward action plans based on the concerns of the people of Wollongong, while capitalising on the best opportunities for Wollongong.
What would be your top priorities if elected to the city’s top job?
- Review current repair and maintenance management processes focussing on flooding and infrastructure damage and secure appropriate funding by adjusting non-essential new projects timelines.
- Review the Pensioner Rebate to apply an overdue adjustment and reduce the cost of living for those long-term residents who are no longer receiving a standard wage.
- Build or remediate active youth areas such as skateboarding and BMX parks.
- Revise the tree management policy to include the requirement of a donation to a local tree planting not-for-profit organisation or the Wollongong Botanical Gardens prior to receiving a pruning or tree removal certificate.
- Work with Transport NSW to incorporate the BRIDJ public transport system to improve accessibility for all residents across Wollongong.
What's your stance on wind farms and the Illawarra's energy transition?
I firmly support responsible, budgeted and justifiable energy plans. The offshore wind turbine project does not fit into these categories. Since the Federal government's flippant resident engagement, lack of transparency, rushed implementation, and unfit for purpose design, I cannot in good conscience agree to this project.
I would prefer to see land based options that are much more cost effective with far less environmental risk and focussed on powering the Illawarra. For example, small scale initiatives on residential and commercial developments such as small electric wind systems could be subsidised and added to the BASIX ratings for new DAs. These systems would work with the solar requirements for 7 star BASIX ratings to reduce grid delivered energy. Within this example, Wollongong could become a leading city in implementing renewable focussed, stable load backed, energy deliverance.
If you could deliver one key project in your first term, what would it be?
Knowing first-hand how devastating the storms have been over the past few years for the community, I will focus on remediating the stormwater and flood management plan. I also know the current state of the pollutant traps are not being maintained to manufacturers' specifications and a commissioned study focussed on stormwater that was due in 2023 has not been delivered. With the potential for further natural disasters, I would like to continue the work that is underway, grow the maintenance capability, and setup a Natural Disaster Reaction Capability that is on call during times of heightened weather events to support the community.
Why do you want the job?
When I saw poorly, and at times dangerously, designed projects being costed, funded and/or built that can genuinely put people’s well-being at jeopardy while roads, footpaths, landscapes, parks and waterways are suffering, I could no longer sit back and solely voice my concerns. I felt, being an Independent, I had the capacity not to be someone who just talks about the issues but can actually achieve collaborative progress.
Meet Wollongong's mayoral candidates
Tania Brown – Labor
Jess Whittaker – Greens
Andrew Anthony – Independent
Suzanne de Vive – Independent
Ryan Morris – Independent
