To help cyclists in the Sutherland Shire select candidates in the upcoming 27th March 2004 Council elections, SharkBike has asked each one of their commitment to cycling.
The returned questionaires were analysed (xls 58kb)and a score given to each question. The highest scoring candidate for each ward were specifically mentioned in a media release (pdf 13kb) sent to local newspapers.
Survey highlights include:
A Ward: Councillor Bob Spencer, a keen recreational
cyclist, wants to see an off-road cycleway from Cronulla to Captain Cooks Bridge
via Bate Bay and Woolooware Bay. Construction has already commenced at Woolooware
Bay and Councillor Spencer has pledged to support funding to complete the route.
B Ward: Current Mayor Phil Blight was the only
candidate to nominate a budget figure for cycleways. Mayor Blight cites a good
track record and strong commitment to cycling. All B ward candidates support
cycleways along major routes such as The Kingsway, to link shopping centres,
railways stations and other popular destinations.
C Ward: Councillor Tracie Sonda said she first
introduced the idea of a Shire-wide bicycle network when she began work on the
People's LEP in 2000. While Councillor Sonda currently cycles for exercise only,
she would consider riding to council chambers if a safe route were constructed.
She is committed to implementing the comprehensive cycle network if re-elected.
D Ward: Councillor David Redmond promises
to support additional funding to create a continuous cycle network by focusing
on missing links, starting with the Princes Highway south of Old Bush Road.
E Ward: New candidate Don Page, a long-time regular cyclist, sees bikes as a viable transport option if safe routes are available. He identified the Alfords Point and Heathcote Road bridges as "cycling death-traps" that need physically separated cycle/walking paths. Councillor Steve Simpson cited his role in sponsoring the first cycle tracks in the Menai area and promised to continue this work.