Supporting Candidates
Eloise Price from Gladesville, James Jelly from North Ryde and Chris Rutter from Putney
Are you part or have you been part of a political party? If so, which one?
Labor
Tell us a bit about you and your team. What’s your day job?
I am a creative with a background in Theatre, Television, and radio. I live in East Ryde with my husband Jeff and two high school age sons. I have hosted a weekly radio show on Northside radio for the past ten years and been on their board; and the board of Griffin Theatre company. I am a current councillor who has worked hard on council: Chairing the status of women; The Social inclusion; The Bushland and Environment; The Renewable Energy advisory committee’s. I also currently, represent Ryde on the Parramatta River catchment group as vice chair and I am a Vice President of the Northern Region Organisation of councils and delegate to the Gladesville mainstreet committee (meeting with Hunters Hill to help provide continuity for the Gladesville business precinct). I am joined on the East Ward Labor team by 3 other committed local residents: Eloise Price from Gladesville, works for a legal firm and is continuing study at UTS, who will be a strong voice for young people across the City of Ryde; James Jelly from North Ryde, a lifelong local, who works in E-Health services who is a disability advocate and a renewable energy champion and Chris Rutter who lives in Putney, a Chartered Accountant who volunteers at the school and football club. Bit of trivia… Both James and I drive electric vehicles! I have two indoor cats, a dog named Harvey and two chickens.
What are some things you love about living in the area?
I’m a walker, paddler and photographer, so I love being surrounded by bushland, wildlife and two beautiful rivers. I love the cultural diversity that exists in Ryde – the colourful cultural events and fabulous food that goes along with it. We have great schools, sporting organisations and open spaces to exercise. We have the most amazing community of volunteers. I meet so many people everyday who really care about others and care deeply about our environment. Love Ryde.
What do you believe to be the 3 main issues affecting our community?
- Massive residential development, without a decent percentage of the developments providing new affordable housing
- Tree canopy loss due to development
- Lack of public access to our rivers – our river belongs to everyone.
What are the 3 key things you plan to achieve?
- I want Ryde to have a community recycling and problem waste facility – with a repair room.
- A litter free, swimmable river with Kayak and bike hire at Kissing point beach with walking access along the beach to the Putney Park Beach steps that I championed in this term.
- I can’t wait to see the completion of Ryde Central with a performance space, rehearsal rooms, art gallery and places to meet.
What about your long term vision for the area?
I want to see Ryde become the most liveable city in Sydney, with a CBD that hosts smart business and a vibrant and fun nightlife, with laneways, art, music and fun places to socialise …. surrounded by a national park full of thriving wildlife and two Healthy rivers where people can walk, swim and paddle in clean water. Ryde will have an expansive Cycleway network allowing workers and students to cycle to work, school and uni. Of course we will have a reputation for being the most sustainable city too – powered by 100% renewable energy, all of us driving electric vehicles that we can charge at any of the many public charging stations in our city or in our home or multi dwelling sites. We will also have a much larger percentage of affordable homes in new developments for local workers and single parent and single income families. I want to see our local small businesses thrive, lots of outdoor dining and a new eclectic, creative and crafty small business precinct emerge. Given 51% of our population in Ryde are women, I would really love to see gender parity on council.
Other Comments
Since elected I have fought for: the Pittwater road shared cycleway; the Putney Park beach steps; Sager place upgrade; Cox’s road upgrade and other small business centres; Ryde Riverwalk extension and the expansion of Blenheim Park. I initiated Ryde’s Reconciliation Action Plan; provided more access for the elderly and disabled; child minding services; The March Against Abuse; Battle of the bands; the ban on single use plastic by council and championed cleaning up our rivers; renewable energy; EV charging stations; tree planting; the Riverside markets; and worked closely with the Ryde, Hunters Hill DV Committee on numerous campaigns. I need your support at this election to continue to work for you. I will fight for pedestrian safety at our shops and schools; a Ryde community recycling facility, litter reduction, emissions reduction, uptake of EV, providing more links between green spaces, exercise equipment in local parks; cycleways and healthy waterways. Vote Group A in East ward.
Contact: pennyp4eastward@gmail.com or 0432 682 358
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pennypedersenryde
