I am legally blind and have been visually impaired since birth. I'm running for Council because I want to support the whole community and provide more access to people like me, living with a disability.

Maitland City Council has been slow to implement proper support for those, like me, living with additional needs. It's important that Council listens to members of the disabled community and recognizes that support doesn't only come in the form of ramps on government buildings (which we already don't have enough of). It comes in the form of safe and secure public transport, making council services more accessible, providing for infrastructure across the city to ensure that when Tate & I along with others like us choose to go for a walk that we can do so without the fear of loosing our footing or being taken out by unsafe and under managed traffic.

My experience doesn't simply come from my very real lived experience of a disability, it comes through working directly with members of the community. Through my study I have completed several TAFE courses in Community Services & have made a career out of disability support through continuing to teach classes at TAFE to support others like me. Directly in Maitland I have been appointed to the Access Committee through Council and can recognize first hand where the gaps in our current system exist and how they harm our city at large.

When you vote 1 The Greens in Ward 2 you're not only voting for me - you're voting for my gorgeous guide dog Tate. With Tate & I on Council we will advocate for the needs of our community and ensure this Council works for everyone. We will ensure Disability Inclusion in every aspect of Council's services and Infrastructure which needs to Include Council to build a new year-round aquatic centre in the Thornton or Chisholm Area. We will ensure that our public transport is frequent and Improved to allow people to wait for the bus with a place to sit and without being drenched. We will advocate for an extra train service that runs to the Maitland Hospital and we will ensure that the Metford Station is accessible via Raymond Terrace Road. We will work with Council to ensure it begins to meet and exceed its sustainability goals and in doing so provide a future for our city.

This September the residents of Ward 2 have the opportunity to elect a Councilor who can speak to these very serious issues with lived experience and I promise that Tate & I will always be there to hear, recognize and address the concerns of our community. We will be the candidates for everyone, not the privileged few.