John Fergusson
John Fergusson’s credentials as a Mayoral candidate for SCC in the upcoming Council elections include a technical (aviation) and managerial background. He has 30 years experience as a small business owner and extensive experience in positions of leadership in industry and community. He is currently operating as a mortgage broker in the Shoalhaven region. John has resided in the Shoalhaven (Vincentia) for 5 years.
John says, “My motivation for standing as Mayor is that I believe I could, with the support of SAC candidates on Council, make a real difference to the quality of life in the Shoalhaven for the wider community, not just the preferred few.
Initially I became involved in the Council process through my great disquiet over the process by which Council was trying to implement development control plans for Huskisson and Ulladulla, particularly noting the overwhelming community objections to buildings of excessive height, size and scale. I became engaged in other Council issues and moved from disquiet to being appalled at the way Council does its business.
The personal attributes I believe I could bring to this role are an ethical, straight forward approach to people and topics; the capacity to assess and understand complex issues; inclusive, confidence-building engagement with all sides of an issue or debate and an understanding of financial matters.”
John’s experience in the finance sector in the Shoalhaven over the last 5 years has given him a strong understanding of the impact of the Shoalhaven’s very high unemployment rate and very low average income. John says he will work hard to overcome these disadvantages. John has also volunteered as a youth mentor and has some understanding of issues facing young people in the Shoalhaven and the means by which Council can play a positive role. Council is no longer just about roads, rates and rubbish..
He is an effective communicator and is not lacking ‘a bit of bottle’ when it gets tough. His goals include:
- Adopting principals of Accountability, Transparency and Integrity in all matters before Council.
- Respecting Council staff recommendations on issues as appropriate.
- Protecting our city from ‘High Rise’ development, instead encouraging appropriate development that differentiates the Shoalhaven.
- Promoting and attracting small to medium business development to provide a growing labour market.
- Recognizing the wonderful asset of the Shoalhaven River, ensure its environmental health and flows and seeking ways for it be an integral part of Nowra
- Looking for strategies to revitalize the ‘old’ CBD of Nowra for commerce and citizens
- Analysing the reasons for high unemployment /low income in the Shoalhaven and developing policy and partnerships with State and Federal governments to improve the situation.
- Ensuring that the asset we have in the rail link is upgraded and electrified to improve speed and integrate it into the wider rail system with improved frequency and travel times.
- Promoting a third, viable, river crossing.
- Striving for a better Ulladulla harbour precinct and CBD.
- Looking for ways to lead on environmental and global warming issues.
- Repealing the development control plans for Ulladulla and Huskisson and reverting substantially to the policy recommended by council planning staff.
John says it’s important to also restore the moral authority and good name of Shoalhaven City Council. He will end the secrecy and the divisive approach of the current Council that has created so much community anxiety. John will lead a council for all. He will ensure Council follows the rules and the State Government no longer has to intervene on a regular basis.
John Fergusson believes he can bring a set of fresh eyes with mature judgment to the table and, with the assistance of SAC colleagues, play his part as Mayor in making the Shoalhaven a better place for now and the future.