here.Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby) [5.50 p.m.]: On 8 September countless residents were elected and re-elected to their respective local government councils right across the State of New South Wales. But it is important to pay tribute to those councillors who retired at the recent election after having served their communities for many years.
Our local government officials give countless hours away from families and loved ones to make our communities better. It is important to acknowledge their contributions and thank them for their considerable efforts.
Tony Hall of Ku-ring-gai Council is one such councillor. After representing the St Ives ward for 25 years on council—which included service as mayor in 1999 to 2000, and as deputy mayor on two occasions—Mr Hall is the longest serving councillor in the history of the municipality. He has served with distinction, passion and great energy. A Ku-ring-gai boy all his life, Mr Hall grew up in Wahroonga and has lived in St Ives since 1978. Ku-ring-gai has changed considerably over the past 25 years, and Mr Hall ensured the voice of St Ives was heard on every significant council proposal during that time. But, importantly, Tony Hall fought to ensure that the interests of residents and ratepayers were always protected. Mr Hall leaves office as the longest ever serving elected representative in the history of Ku-ring-gai Council.
Some of Mr Hall's notable achievements whilst on council included: improving traffic conditions in St Ives; implementing Ku-ring-gai's first conservation heritage plan in 1988—which protected more than 800 areas from destruction, including local historic buildings and the St Ives village green, a great part of our community—and prioritising a host of conservation initiatives. Mr Hall's efforts and leadership did not go unnoticed: he received the local government outstanding service award and gold medal in 2010. In my experience, Tony was always available to assist residents in dealing with council. Indeed, it was my own experience in needing assistance from council which brought me into contact with Councillor Hall and indeed my first contact with the Liberal Party.
In 1999 my neighbourhood faced the prospect of being destroyed by inappropriate overdevelopment. A proposal for medium density dwellings in the middle of suburbia had been put forward under Labor's draconian State environmental planning policy No. 5, which was being used as a back door for inappropriate development under the guise of providing housing stock for seniors. It was Tony Hall who volunteered and assisted my family and our neighbours in our time of need. He was a great source of support and encouragement to our community and embodied what it meant to be a public servant. His integrity and fortitude enabled Ku-ring-gai to advance and prosper for the betterment of ratepayers. His role as a councillor saw him act in various capacities—advocate, visionary and community leader. Although his opinions on particular matters drew criticism and opposition, Mr Hall always sought to consult and engage with members of the community to alleviate concerns and issues. Ku-ring-gai residents will remember Mr Hall's contributions and impact. The area is a better place as a result of his service. I wish Mr Hall and his wife, Lee, all the best in the future. May the next chapter in their lives bring them happiness and joy.
I also take this opportunity to acknowledge another retiring councillor, my great friend Ian Cross. Ian was first elected to Ku-ring-gai Council in 1999, and has served the community with distinction ever since. Ian's time on council was remarkable, not only for his support in providing essential infrastructure to local sporting and community groups, but also for his passion for the protection of the character and amenity of our suburbs. Probably his most notable achievement was in 2003, when he was the first mayor of Ku-ring-gai ever re-elected to council in its 100-year history. I might note that he had a very good campaign manager in me when, as a young Liberal, I agreed to run the campaign at the request of the member for Ku-ring-gai, and current Premier, the Hon. Barry O'Farrell. Ian's keen sense of humour, dry wit and calmness under pressure will be greatly missed in the community. I wish him, his wife, Marion, and their children every success in the future.
Community service does take a lot of sacrifice. Sacrifices are made on the home front—long hours are spent in council meetings away from loved ones, family and friends—but it is done to make a difference to the community and to make our suburbs, neighbourhoods and communities a better place. Both the councillors to whom I have referred have done so with distinction. I also note a number of councillors in this place who retired at the recent local government elections, including the member for Coogee and the member for Riverstone, who are present in the Chamber, who have served their communities at a local government level with distinction. I am pleased that they will continue to serve their communities at a State level with that same dedication to community service.
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