What is your name, political party and electorate?

Councillor Shweta Deshpande, Ryde Liberals, City of Ryde – Central Ward

Are you running for mayor and if so, why?

I am supporting Mayor Trenton Brown in his fight to protect our local jobs, ensure we keep our open spaces and keep Council rates low during a cost of living crisis.

Tell us about your background both personally and professionally

I work full-time in a pharmaceutical company in a leadership role. I live in Ryde with my husband have two girls.

Similar to my running mate Daniel Han, a local school teacher in Ryde, I am a long term resident in the central ward. We are both parents of young children and we understand the juggle of parenting and working full time.

The current Ryde Liberal team on Council that I’m part of, is a very diverse group of councillors and candidates from a range of genders, professions and cultures.

What are some things you love about your electorate?

The community! We are a diverse, multicultural group of people in Ryde living harmoniously. We value each other’s cultures, values and diversity. Off course we also have an abundance of employment and educational opportunities within our doorstep.

What do you believe are the 3 main issues affecting your electorate and why?

• Cost of living – the prices of everything have been going up and so Council needs to be financially prudent and not unreasonably burden household finances with unfunded election promises
• Preserving as much open space as possible (including importantly the TG Millner Field in Marsfield) and preventing inappropriate development
• Protecting local jobs – we are all proud of the Macquarie Park Innovation Precinct which provides thousands of well paid local jobs, but that area is now under threat with the State Government’s planning changes that will replace commercial/employment space with more residential towers

What are the 3 key things you plan to achieve if elected?

If re-elected, our team will:

1. Continue to keep Ryde council rates low to address cost of living.  In the past few years, the City of Ryde has maintained lower rates than other comparable Councils in Sydney by managing our finances well and not spend carelessly.
2. Save TG Millner Oval from development and other open space.  During the current Council term, Mayor Trenton Brown’s Ryde Liberal team has been the only team unequivocally committed to doing this.
3. Enhance our biodiversity and sustainability scores by increasing our urban canopy rates to the 40%.
4. Build Eastwood’s new car park and community facilities on the western side of Eastwood—Open City of Ryde’s first 24/7 library.

What about your long term vision for the area?

I want the City of Ryde maintain low Council rates for its residents and to continue to lead the rest of Sydney in providing local employment and educational opportunities.  I also want the City of Ryde to be a harmonious and desirable place to live for all of its residents.

• Email: shwetadesh@gmail.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/councillordeshpande
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shwetad

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