QUINDALUP resident Amanda Edwards has put her hand up to be part of a new generation of council members at the upcoming local government elections.
Ms Edwards believes the council needs more balance and diversity in terms of the demographics and values it represents.
“I think diversity is quite healthy for local government,” she said.
“Diversity helps encourage debate and it’s important for issues to be debated.”
Rather than focus on particular issues during her campaign Ms Edwards said she would prefer to give people an idea of her values.
“Any decision or consideration of issues I make would be through the prism of those values and trying to be forward thinking rather than backward looking.”
Having lived in the South West for the last 12 years and working in the natural resource sector she hopes to get people excited about conserving the natural environment.
“It’s important especially in the South West,” she said.
Ms Edwards said with the growing population and redevelopment of town centres sustainable planning was essential.
As the region continues to grow she said it was key communities didn’t get lost through urban sprawl by remaining liveable and close knit.
“I want to make sure there is a connectedness between the communities with a strong pedestrian and bike friendly focus for the towns.”
Ms Edwards said there were a number of initiatives other “progressive councils” were doing like the City of Fremantle that she found inspiring.
“This would be driven by the community and what the community wants,” she said.
