As a mother to two and Nanny to 4 beautiful grandchildren, Ruth is an active Warriewood resident that regularly enjoys using the cycleways around the Wetlands and Narrabeen Lake. She loves to participate and watch sport – especially her beloved Swans AFL team - and she is a strong advocate for women’s sport in particular.

 

Ruth has extensive experience in local government in a range of areas from community service delivery, governance and community consultation. Her knowledge provides an excellent background and understanding of how to meet the challenges of working with council staff and the community to achieve the best outcomes.

 

Ruth volunteers for The Link Church Community Care and until recently volunteered with Women & Children First and is a member of The Warriewood Residents Association and Residents Against Inappropriate Development – Ingleside (RAID).

 

Ruth wants to make sure the residents of the Narrabeen Ward have a voice in relevant decisions that affect the future of the area. In particular, she would like to see a detailed plan to complete the appropriate development of Warriewood Valley and for the public to be actively engaged in proper consultation. She hopes to work with the community in utilising the new Warriewood Community Centre in making it accessible, useful and enjoyable for all.

 

Ruth encourages innovation and sustainability when working at solving problems – this is best seen in her contributions and involvement in the establishment of Council’s ‘Creative Space’ in Curl Curl.

 

Ruth is acutely aware of the lack of affordable housing on the Northern Beaches and would like to see proposed new housing focussed in and near centres where people can easily access public transport or walk or cycle to shops and services.

 

Ruth is also passionate about the need to keep our community active and healthy and is especially keen to support projects and initiatives that support female athletes. With the restrictions on community sport during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ruth was concerned about the impact on people’s mental health by not being able to exercise. She feels that involvement in team sports can teach young people a broad range of skills about leadership, tolerance, cooperation, and the meaning of success. Ruth also believes exercise is paramount to the well being of our older residents.

 

Like many in our community, Ruth is concerned about keeping the character of our area intact - for example the Draft Ingleside Precinct Plan has raised environmental concerns (bushland and wildlife), social issues (schools and community facilities and bush fire safety) and economic uncertainty (Infrastructure cost to Council) – all of which are not addressed in the State Government proposal.

 

Ruth would like to work with State Government, Council Staff and the community to find a solution to the management of the opening of Narrabeen Lagoon and the widening of the Wakehurst Parkway. She would like to improve the community and sporting facilities that serve the Narrabeen Ward and look to provide another space like ‘The Tramshed’ – which is now a great meeting place for all.