Cristie Yager – Clarence Valley meet your candidates

By Tim Howard

The Clarence Valley Council has gone into caretaker mode ahead of the September 14 election.

It’s given 17 community members, including six current councillors to stand for election.

The Northern Rivers Times has given all 17 a chance to introduce themselves to the electorate.

Sixteen of them have grabbed the opportunity. Phillip Provest did not reply to the invitation.

Cristie Yager

Fifth generation Ulmarra woman Cristie Yager will contest the Clarence Valley Council election next month.

Hello, my name is Cristie Yager, I will be 40 just after the September election and I’m a proud descendant of Clarence Valley pioneers.

I’m fifth generation to Ulmarra, born in Coffs Harbour and raised in South Grafton.

With a long family history of farming, trucking, and community involvement, I’m not a typical politician, but a parent, ratepayer, and business owner who understands the cost-of-living crisis.

I am the founder of a local community group called Clarence Valley Garden Exchange, I am involved with CWA, an SES member and hold the public relations position within the Grafton Toastmasters branch.

My eldest daughter has assumed a management role in my South Grafton based business, allowing me to dedicate this year to learning about local government.

I’ve read an incredible amount of complicated and boring documents, every business paper and attended every council meeting.

I have chosen a grassroots approach to building my profile, preferring to meet people in person and attend local events. I have a strong work ethic, a growth mindset, I am determined to make a difference and happy to work hard to do so. We need change and common sense sitting at the table.

I’m standing up as a candidate to be a strong local voice, advocating for our people.

My values include self-sufficiency, traditional skills, and frugal living.

My focus is on ensuring a safe, affordable and happy future for our kids and grandkids.

Should I be elected, I plan to hold myself and others to a higher standard of authentic, accountable and honest leadership, with communication a key priority.

I aim to:

• Encourage sensible spending and saving
• Promote clear communication and honesty
• Rebuild community spirit and resilience
• Preserve our Valley’s biodiversity
• Advocate for our villages

I believe in putting community before corporations and people before profits.

It would be my pleasure to connect with you.

Find me on Facebook via my candidate page: Cristie Yager Clarence Valley Candidate 2024 this is where I take questions, share information, and let you know where I will be so we can meet in person.

Questions

Ahead of the September 14 local government election we have asked all 17 candidates a series of questions testing their response to some of the major concerns of the community. Rates and what the council does with the money is a perennial issue.

Rates

1. Can you guarantee voters that you will not support a special rate variation (SRV) above the annual rate pegging limit in the next term of council?
2. If council can’t increase income via a rate rise, what can it do to balance its books?
3. How can councils help ratepayers with the cost of living issues facing communities?

Answer 1: I can guarantee that I do not and will not support a special rate variation above the annual rate pegging limit.

IPART dictates the annual maximum rate peg percentage based on many factors in our unique local government area, to financially afford the services provided.

We get our own recommended percentage just like other LGAs.

If there is even a whiff of an application for an SRV, meaning council is seeking rates higher than the suggested, I’ll be looking towards councils’ management of finances immediately.

Answer 2: I imagine eventually there will be another rate rise, due to the economic climate, it’s just not sensible to think there will never be another.

Costs are soaring across the board. However, people are struggling, it cannot not be the first method of generating income, we cannot continue using a system that has clearly shown unfairness in the distribution of services in relation to rates paid.

We must think differently. People are not profitable. Savings and sacrifices can be made in any organisation and Clarence Valley Council should be no different.

Answer 3: Firstly, minimise the need to raise rates. Allow people to keep a few bucks in their back pocket so they can shop and support local business.

To do so, we must tighten up the spending within council, focus on the essential services and find areas of savings, begin with stationary and work our way up.

The many small costs add up and are less recognisable to the public than the larger outlays. Secondly, think outside the box, encourage and build strong community spirit.

When neighbours help each other, the mental, emotional and financial burden lessens when people have support.

Read about all the councillors in this weeks edition of The Northern Rivers Times. For more 2024 Local Elections News, click here.