Council Member Profile

Quarterly Column

May 2026

As this is my final council column for the term, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on my time serving on the Whyalla City Council over the last four years.

Being part of council has been a real privilege. As my term comes to an end, I’ve been thinking a lot about the experience, the people I’ve met, and just how much can happen in a relatively short period of time.

When I first put my hand up for council, I did it because I genuinely care about Whyalla and wanted to contribute in a positive way. What I quickly learnt is that local government is rarely simple. Every decision has different viewpoints, every issue matters deeply to someone, and there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes than most people realise.

Over the last four years, we’ve seen some exciting progress across the city. Projects that had been talked about for years started becoming reality, new ideas emerged, and there’s been a growing sense that Whyalla is building toward something bigger. It hasn’t always been easy, and there have definitely been difficult conversations and tough decisions along the way, but that’s part of representing a community.

For me, the best part of the role has always been the people. Whether it was chatting with residents at events, hearing concerns from locals, working alongside community groups, or simply having conversations around town, those moments always reminded me why local government matters. Whyalla is full of passionate people who genuinely care about where they live.

I’ve also gained a much greater appreciation for the amount of work council staff, volunteers, sporting clubs, local organisations, and fellow elected members put into this community every day. People don’t always see the long meetings, the planning, or the effort that goes into trying to make good decisions for the city, but there are a lot of people quietly working hard for Whyalla.

Personally, this experience has taught me a lot. It’s challenged me at times, tested my patience occasionally, and definitely given me a different perspective on leadership and community. But overall, I’m grateful I took the opportunity.

To everyone who supported me, spoke with me, disagreed with me, encouraged me, or simply shared their thoughts along the way — thank you. Being able to represent the community has been something I’ll always value.

Whyalla has its challenges, like any regional city, but it also has enormous potential and some incredibly good people. I’m proud to have played a small part in its story over the last four years and I’m looking forward to seeing where the city heads next.

And while this term may be coming to an end, I’m certainly not done yet. I’m still passionate about Whyalla, still passionate about the community, and the future of our city.

Previous columns:

November 2025

What a year it’s been in Whyalla! The airport upgrade has made it easier for bigger planes to land, keeping us better connected for residents, businesses, and travellers. Down at the foreshore, the Splash & Play Plaza and new foreshore building are moving closer to reality — making our coastline an even better spot for families and friends. The plans for a new sporting hub will give local clubs and young people the quality facilities they deserve, while the early work on the cuttlefish cove experience is putting our natural beauty front and centre.

These projects aren’t just upgrades — they show that Whyalla is growing in confidence and that our best chapters are still ahead of us.

And let’s not forget the steelworks, the heartbeat of our city. With the sale process underway, there’s renewed optimism for its future. New ownership could bring fresh investment, innovation, and a long-term vision that keeps Whyalla at the forefront of modern, lower-emissions steelmaking. Through it all, it remains a source of pride, jobs, and opportunity for our community.

As we head into the festive season, I want to wish everyone in Whyalla a safe, happy and relaxing break. Spend it with family and friends, enjoy the good food, soak up the sunshine — and here’s to an even brighter year ahead!

August 2025

In this quarterly column, I will highlight a couple of positive developments that have occurred locally.

Whyalla City Council will soon commence work on the Whyalla Beach Splash and Play Plaza, a state-of-the -art adventure playground on our stunning foreshore, thanks to $3.14 million in government support. This project will not only provide a vibrant recreational space for families, but also create jobs both during construction and as ongoing roles for locals upon completion.

Expectations are that the initiative will boost visitor spending by over $1 million annually, with the potential to attract new residents and energise our hospitality sector. Having personally spoken to many residents, I know that this is a highly anticipated activity for families, and I am sure many excited children and adults alike are eagerly awaiting its opening. Providing a splash play facility that offers social opportunities and developmental benefits for both locals and visitors will deliver a welcome boost to our recreational portfolio as a regional destination.

And of course, no column would be complete without an update on the beating heart of our city, the local steelworks. In February, the State Government intervened to place the steelworks into administration, securing vital operations and protecting thousands of jobs, prompting a return of both optimism and investment.

Over $659 million was committed by the State and Federal governments to maintain operations, with an additional $1.9 billion in future transition support, ensuring that steelmaking will remain central to our community’s lifeblood for years to come. More recently, BlueScope and other international parties have begun a competitive bidding process for the purchase of the plant.

Local businesses, apprentices, and families are already starting to experience the benefits of this assistance, with associated roles and training opportunities for locals on the increase. The emergence of new jobs on site and the 27 apprenticeship opportunities opening in 2026 offer a strong reflection of the positive transformations that are occurring, and we look forward to seeing more of this in the future.

I thank every resident for your support and positivity as we shape our city’s next great chapter together.

March 2025

No matter where you stand politically, there’s no denying that local government deals with many complex and often contentious issues. Each of these issues is important to someone, whether it’s a matter of public concern, political debate, or community impact. Just like at any other level of government, decisions made at the local level spark discussions, differing viewpoints, and sometimes even heated debates.

Your current councillors, including the Mayor, are a diverse group of 10 individuals, each bringing unique skills, backgrounds, and life experiences to the table. No single elected member has all the answers, nor should they be expected to. That’s why I strongly believe in the importance of working together, open dialogue, and group decision-making. As an elected representative, I take my role in the decision-making process seriously. I prioritise engaging in vigorous discussions with key stakeholders, listening to different perspectives, and ensuring that every decision is made with careful consideration and as much information as possible.

When I first stepped into this role, I quickly realised that making decisions that fairly balance the needs of all residents and ratepayers is no easy task. Every decision, no matter how well-intended, will inevitably impact some members of the community more than others. I firmly believe that residents and ratepayers not only have the right, but should be encouraged to question and challenge council decisions. However, these discussions should always take place in a respectful and constructive manner.

Everyone has an opinion, and in today’s world, social media has given people a powerful platform to share their views. While it can be an excellent tool for engagement and discussion, it also comes with challenges. Misinformation can spread rapidly, leading to unnecessary confusion or fear. Even more concerning is the rise of negativity and online harassment, which can sometimes cross the line into cyberbullying. Healthy debate is essential for democracy, but it should be grounded in facts, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to improving our community.

At the end of the day, local government functions best when people are informed, engaged, and willing to participate in discussions that lead to positive outcomes for everyone. That’s what I strive for as an elected representative, and I encourage every resident to do the same.