Catherine EHRHARDT

Candidate for: South Ward

Q1. What are your top priorities if elected to the City of Bayswater council?

Preserving the Maylands Brickworks Street lighting - this is better safety for both pedestrians and cyclists, but also opportunity to switch to LED.

Safety and Security - I am still an avid supporter of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and the City could improve in this space.

Amenities in our local parks - we have fantastic local parks and reserves that could be improved by shade shelters, benches, water fountains etc.

Activation of the front area at The RISE and getting a café lease back in there. The RISE amphitheatre area has a great opportunity to become the Town Square of Maylands.

Road Safety – Particularly the current situation on Railway Pde between 9th Avenue and Hotham St Bridge as it isn't safe for pedestrians, cyclists or cars.

Revitalisation of the Maylands Town Centre - Maylands has come a long way in my last 8 years on Council and we need to support outcomes from community consultation into the MRWA urban redesign.

Further enhancements and protection of our beautiful natural environment - the change to our natural areas in my last 8 years has been fantastic. Working with all of our Friends of groups we have been able to support pathways, boardwalks, shelters, benches and other non-invasive improvements so the community can enjoy and experience without harming the ecology.

Q2. How will you improve the management and reduction of waste in the City of Bayswater?

Listen to the advice from experts in the community, staff and relevant external bodies so we can continue to lead with best practice.

Q3. What will you do to enable more walking and cycling in the City of Bayswater?

I will continue to support funding of the Footpath program, local bike plan, and the Safe Routes to School program. Better street lighting is a part of this – as mentioned in Q1. (see above)

Q4. What will you do to increase the City of Bayswater tree canopy from its current 14.55%, to its target of 20% by 2030

I believe that we are not too far off target.  We have planted more trees in the last two years than in the previous four years combined.

This year alone we have planted 5,000 trees in verges and parks, along with approximately 4,000 through our community planting days. That's 9,000 trees this year which I think is pretty amazing.

The more pressing issue for me is the urban heat island effect. We need to do better at shading the big hard surface heat sinks – we need to do better in shading foot and cycle paths, car parks and roadways.

I will also continue to advocate to the State government. I am proud to have moved the attached motion at WALGA State Council in July.

Q5. How will you help our community reduce emissions and support us in a move to renewable energy?

I have a proven track record of supporting all of the emission reduction and renewable energy initiatives put to the City. I am especially excited by the Federal Government's Community Batteries for Household Solar Grant Program which WA was successful and Bayswater was one of the 6 areas selected. The batteries will provide multiple community benefits including enabling higher uptake of renewable energy such as rooftop solar, and reducing electricity bills. The community battery is expected to be installed by March 2025. I would like to see more of them in our local area along with more EV charging stations.