Something to balance all the bad news, we have a new Committee of Management

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Published: Wednesday, 01 April 2020 12:49

All members would have received advice from the NSW Electoral Commission in March calling for nominations and at midday on Tuesday 24 March, we were advised that there were sufficient candidates for the six positions being filled and that those six candidates had been declared elected. The new Committee of Management will operate the two years from 1 May.

As Secretary, I am the seventh member of the committee, and the new committee has as close as we can get to 50:50 gender representation, and representatives from planning, health and building, and environmental health - all the major professions and qualifications covered.

The Committee (with their policy statements submitted with their nominations) will be:

Steven Cook                                                                                                                                                      

President

I am a Senior Town Planner working in development assessment at Wagga Wagga City Council, having commenced with WWCC in the early 2000s I feel a strong connection to regional NSW after spending almost my whole life in Wagga, moving to the city from Dubbo at the age of 7.

I have been a member of the Committee of Management for the past four years and am now seeking election as President of depa, so I can continue to help contribute to the strategic operation of the union and to achieving positive outcomes for the benefit of the whole membership. Having lived with cancer for the past seven years, I also believe that I bring a unique insight to the Committee, as an individual balancing a serious medical condition with full-time work.

As a delegate, as well as chair of my Council’s Consultative Committee, I am a keen advocate on day-to-day industrial matters. However, I also hold a keen interest in depa’s role providing professional advocacy and support for the various professions represented by the union, particularly to government in these times of seemingly consistent reform within the planning system and local government.

Renah Givney                                                                                                                                                       

Vice President

I have worked in local government for almost 17 years in development assessment roles. I am currently a senior development assessment Officer at Coffs Harbour City Council, where I am the depa delegate. I have also represented depa members on Councils Consultative Committee for the last 5 years, part of this time as the Chair.

While working in local government can be extremely rewarding, it can also be a very difficult environment for those who work in development and environment roles. I firmly believe that depa plays an integral role in assisting members to navigate this environment, while helping to steer the industry in the right direction.

The last 4 years I have served on the depa Committee of Management. I am seeking re-election this year in the position of Vice President. Should I be re-elected, I will continue to contribute to the strategic direction of the union and advocate for the interests of members.

Vince Galletto                                                                                                                                              

Committee Member

I have been a member of this association since the early 80s and have been the chair of the Consultative Committee at the City of Ryde Council for almost 20 years.

I have an interest in preserving the rights and benefits of local government employees and in particular the planning, development and environmental health and building professionals which depa represents.

As a member of the Committee of Management for depa it has provided me with the opportunity to participate and represent fellow members in award negotiations as well is looking after their interest in any dispute that may arise with their employer/organisation.

I would feel privileged to be given the opportunity to continue my association and work with depa as a member of the Committee of Management.

Yael Lang                                                                                                                                                         

Committee Member

I am an Environmental Health Officer at Blacktown City Council and have been for almost 14 years. Coming from a strong union-minded community, I joined depa upon my first few days of starting my career at Blacktown. I found the courage to volunteer myself as delegate some 7 years later, which has allowed me some amazing experiences. In this time I have represented members on the Staff Consultative Committee, participated in policy reviews, and have been involved in negotiating Enterprise Agreements, as well as a range of other activities.

I hold a great deal of appreciation and respect for the work of unions and am especially proud of the role depa plays in local government and its commitment to its members.

Being a newbie amongst a team of experienced and professional members, I can only proclaim to give it my very best!

I very much look forward to this new and exciting opportunity of being elected and becoming part of the Management Committee for depa.

Jamie Loader                                                                                                                                                 

Committee Member

I have over twenty years’ experience in Local Government, working on a range of positions including Building Surveying, Planning, and Environmental Health. I have also worked in a range of Councils including small rural Councils (Bland and Junee Shire), Metropolitan (Parramatta City) and large regional Councils (Wyong Shire and now Central Coast).

I believe that my experience in Local Government allows me to better understand the issues faced by depa members and the industry in general. I have also been the depa delegate at Parramatta City and Bland Shire Councils so I have had considerable experience representing members on various workplace reform committees, consultative committees and in the IRC.

I am extremely proud of the role that depa plays within the industrial framework of Local Government and our reputation, whilst hard-earned, speaks for itself. If we’re involved, there’s a fight to be fought.

I’ve been a member of the Committee of Management for eleven years now, nine of those as Vice President. During this time of been involved in setting the strategic direction of the Association, as well as representing the Union in a number of forums.

I look forward to continuing my role on the depa Committee of Management.

Shona Porter                                                                                                                                                         

Committee Member

I have been a member of depa from my beginnings in town planning as a graduate planner at Randwick Council.

I represented depa on the Consultative Committee at Canterbury-Bankstown, including as chair of the CC. For the first 18 months of the merger the Council operated with an interim consultative committee with delegates from Canterbury and Bankstown, after which I was elected by members to be the depa representative.

I actively participate in the consultative committee, ensuring that all information provided to me in those meetings or by email is distributed to members for feedback. I am able to benefit members through my broad knowledge of local government, the issues faced by newly formed organisations, and other issues where members need support.

I think depa provides value for members in providing professional and capable advice and would like to be re-elected on the committee to further increase my knowledge of employment related issues so that I can better represent my fellow colleagues/depa members.