wingecarribee shire council 2024 candidate
JESSE FITZPATRICK
'FRESH VISION,
YOUTHFULLY DRIVEN'
Hi there,
I'm Jesse,
I'm a 32 year-old dad, juggling life with three little ones under four years old. Together with my wife, we've proudly called the Highlands home for our entire lives. Generations matter to me – my family's presence spans three, and our children mark the start of the fourth.
My roots run deep – I've been an active community member for 15 years, contributing to its growth and well-being. With my hands-on approach, I've personally built over 50 homes for local residents, making a lasting impact.
My educational journey started at St. Michael's Primary and continued through Chevalier High School. As a dedicated member of our community, I've also enjoyed 12 years of local football, where I've learned valuable lessons in teamwork and perseverance.
Side by side with the council, I've dedicated a decade to collaborative residential projects that enhance our neighborhood. Now, I'm excited to take my dedication to the next level through political engagement.
With a strong foundation and a heart deeply connected to this community, I'm ready to lead the way toward a brighter Highland future.
My family
When we meet new people, the script often plays out the same way: "Hello, how are you? What do you do?" We wrap our identities around our jobs like a shield against the unknown. But in this dance of introductions, who ever declares, "Above all, I am a Mum or a Dad?"
Let me share what truly beats within me: family, the heartbeat of my existence. It's more than joy—it's the sunlit shore where my soul finds its footing. Amid life's troubles, family stands unshaken—an anchor and a guide. In their embrace, emotions find harmony, and lessons of love shape me into a kinder being.
This is my family, my unbreakable tether; this is my occupation, my daily pursuit with purpose; this is my passion. This is my soul, woven with threads of love and connection.
Born in the tender embrace of Bowral hospital, we both took our first breaths. Through the hallways of the Shire's schools, we traced our footsteps. And there, in the heart of the Highlands, our paths converged. Life unfurled as we welcomed our three treasures right here in Bowral. Now, as our children stand on the brink of their own journeys, the Highlands is where they'll unfurl their wings.
This is our story, etched into the very essence of this place. It's a symphony of shared moments, a legacy we're weaving, a love letter to the town that cradled us, shaped us, and now witnesses the next chapter of our tale.
Why am I running?
For the past twenty years, the Highlands has endured a lack of effective civic leadership. The old cycle of clashing egos, petty bickering, and political one-upmanship must end. I am stepping forward with a strong focus on bringing a cooperative culture to the Council at both a councillor and staff level.
What the Highlands urgently needs is sound, reliable, and accountable leadership with a practical vision for our future.
As a parent of three young children, I am deeply invested in the prosperity of the South Highlands. I envision a future where our youth, including my children and their peers, can afford education here, find fulfilling employment, and earn a decent living—a future where they can raise their families right here in Wingecarribee.
As a business owner, I am keen to witness genuine integration between small businesses and council support. Considering that more than 95% of businesses in the Highlands fall into this category, it is imperative to offer robust support and foster an environment that promotes their growth and prosperity.
As a resident, I advocate for shifting our focus away from urban sprawl towards embracing concepts such as aging in place, affordable housing, livability, family-oriented communities, quaint towns, walkability, and sustainability. This approach not only fosters a more cohesive and inclusive community but also promotes a sustainable, friendly urban development model, ensuring a healthier populace and planet.
As a ratepayer, I am eager to see trust restored and the delivery of basic services prioritized. Our trust in council has been undermined, as we are constantly asked for feedback on future plans spanning 5, 10, to 20 years, covering large and complex issues like climate change and social matters, yet there has been a failure to execute the very basics.
It's essential that we first ensure that Council departments are well-functioning and efficient. Our regulatory processes are far too complex, and the processing time for development applications is unacceptably long. Grand plans and projects should not be embarked upon until basic services and improvements to our towns and villages reach a higher standard.
As a village resident, I desire to see our satellite towns thrive. With more than 40% of us residing in these towns, these individual communities are the lifeblood of this region and a foundational part of our district's character. It's crucial to recognize and bolster the unique contribution that our smaller towns and villages make to our Shire.
Current demographic trends point to formidable challenges ahead, as we are on course to see 55% of our population exceed the age of 55 by 2040. The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated.
It is essential to expand our family age demographic across all towns, a strategy that is crucial not just for the younger population's economic vitality but even more so for the wellbeing of those over 55. The younger age group is the economic powerhouse of our community, powering our economy, running businesses, building infrastructure, staffing our healthcare and aged care facilities, and other service segments of our local economy. Encouraging the delivery of more diverse housing choices for singles, downsizers, young starters, and renters, etc., will bring an improved balance to our housing stock and assist local businesses to attract and hold staff.
Improving the demographic balance is vital to ensuring a robust, supportive, and interconnected community network.
It will benefit every generation, particularly the older population whose wellbeing depends significantly on the presence and contributions of younger demographics.
Join me on this journey, and help to foster a cooperative and well-functioning elected leadership team to our Council.
Who is funding me?
I'm the type of person who finds it tough to ask for help. In fact, I often go out of my way to make things seem easier than they actually are, just to discourage offers. But now, running a campaign, albeit a small local government one, I've come to realize that going it alone isn't going to work. Taking this step to seek help from others has been significant for me.
Over the next year, I'll be depending on the support of around 30 to 40 people and heavily relying on a few in particular. Any time that people are willing to contribute is amazing and far more than I could hope for. To prevent overburdening anyone, I've decided to self-fund the campaign. I won't be doing any fundraising, nor will I request donations. If people are willing to invest their time in me, I believe it's only fair for me to take on the financial responsibility.
Let's keep in touch
jessefitzpatrick.wc@gmail.com
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All content authorised by Sharon Fitzpatrick
1 Shale Lane, High Range