THE Reverend George Capsis has resigned as president of the North Cronulla and Woolooware Precinct Committee to concentrate on running for the seat of Cronulla in the March state election.
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Mr Capsis, a former deputy mayor of Sutherland Shire Council, will be running as an independent under the Christian Democrats (Fred Nile Group) banner.
He is an ordained Baptist minister and has worked in the shire working among homeless and troubled youth for more than 25 years.
Mr Capsis stood under the CDP banner in the by-election of Miranda in November, 2013 and got 7.2 per cent of the primary vote.
"This was the highest vote the CDP had ever achieved in a lower house election," he said.
"My decision to stand for the seat of Cronulla is a continuation of my work in this community to get good outcomes in limiting overdevelopment.
"We must remember when the Cronulla Fisheries were going to be closed, I got Fred Nile to organise a parliamentary committee to look at the closure.
"They could not save the fisheries, but the battle may not be over.
"Although the government say the land will be for community use, we just can't trust them.
"There is a nice piece of real estate there that I am sure a developer would like to claim.
"For too long now, planning in the shire has been developer driven instead of community driven.
"That's why we have this mishmash of traffic, overcrowding, loss of amenity and loss of open space for residents.
"Now we have the Cronulla Mall in danger of being swallowed up by high-rise which will cast it in shadow like a wind tunnel and cause it to lose its village atmosphere.
"It is important that the community uses its vote carefully and gets involved in the democratic process.
"People whinge about overdevelopment all the time but they won't get involved in the democratic process.
"If they do, they can influence the decision-making and get better outcomes for their day-to-day lives."
Kerry Coomes is the new precinct committee president. The committee has a new name: Cronulla Residents (incorporating North Cronulla and Woolooware Precinct Committee).
Mr Capsis encourages people to join the committee.
"In order for the committee to continue to represent the community, we need an influx of savvy local people to continue the vital role that the precinct has had in this year for many years now."
