A group of local residents have joined forces to contest the September local government elections for Georges River Council.
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Christina Jamieson, Peter Mahoney, Natalie Mort, Bob Jones and Elise Borg have banded together to create the Georges River Residents and Ratepayers.
The group say they met out of a common interest, as each was challenging 'poor decisions' at the council on multiple issues such as threats to the environment, the alleged mismanagement of community assets and its unstable financial position, which led to a 32.6 per cent rate rise.
Kogarah Bay candidate Elise Borg said Georges River Residents and Ratepayers would have candidates in all five wards of the Georges River Council region to give residents a choice to vote for change and vote for independents who will put the community first.
"All our candidates are genuine independents," the Kogarah Bay Progress Association president said.
"We're free to make decisions for the community and free from the influence of any other party.
"Most importantly, we are not politicians but simply active, proud local community members."
Christina Jamieson will contest the Mortdale ward.
Ms Jamieson said she was fighting to retain the community feel in both the Mortdale and Penshurst shopping villages and will fight the proposed 45-metre 12-storey development of the Mortdale RSL site.
"It is vital we give a voice back to the people and that decision-making is made by locals who will put the community first," she said.
Natalie Mort, who has been central to the campaign to save the Carss Park pool, will stand for election in the Blakehurst ward.
"The council has ignored 11,700 people who have signed a petition to save Carss Park pool," she said.
"The heart and soul of the community has been ripped out by Georges River Council with the closure and attempts to demolish Carss Park pool.
"There is no reason that precludes an aquatic centre being built on this site and that's what I will be fighting for."
Peakhurst Ward candidate Peter Mahoney has promised to fight for the region's environment.
Mr Mahoney fought to ensure the Foreshore Scenic Protection Areas were retained in the Peakhurst ward in the current zoning plans and will fight to retain it in the future.
He said he would fight for the preservation of the environment and to save the quality of life that residents and ratepayers in these suburbs enjoy now and into the future.
"I will work hard to protect our environment and ensure that the council listens carefully to, and is honest with residents," Mr Mahoney said.
Bob Jones, who has worked in local government and planning for more than 50 years, will stand in the Hurstville ward.
"When I was at Kogarah Council, we were debt-free, so I will work to ensure that council is financially responsible, without having to hike rates by 32.6 per cent as this current council has done," he said.
"I will draw from my experience in local government to stop inappropriate over-development and ensure future planning benefits the wider community and fight for the protection of the natural environment and open spaces."
The group believes that the current council has let residents down and they hope that by running as a team of independents will bring about positive change.
