The new Mayor is expertly equipped to succeed in the role, with almost 30 years experience in computer programming and teaching.
The big challenge will be her ability to balance her enthusiasm for all things environment with the need to sensibly develop the region.
In a recent media interview Mayor Smith said she was “committed to the Central Coast” and “really loved it natural qualities”.
However she raised a few eyebrows when she said she was concerned about the new Gosford CBD plans exhibited by council last year which were not consistent with the city’s traditional planning controls.
Developers immediately went into meltdown at the comments with one prominent Gosford real estate identity phoning me to say: “Here we go again, back to the dark ages”
I don’t think it’s as bad as all that, but downtown Gosford is a disgrace with ramshackle buildings everywhere.
It needs to become a modern city with quality high rise apartments and exciting shopping centres and restaurants available. Such growth doesn’t threaten the environment in any way.
Mayor Smith and her deputy, the equally expertly equipped and experienced Chris Holstein, were chosen by their peers to lead the super council into an exciting era of massive development.
They head a council of 15 made up of familiar coast faces sprinkled with highly qualified newcomers.
At the core of their new roles will be the need to work with local business in ensuring private enterprise, both big and small, can survive and prosper in an unprecedented boom on the coast which knows no boundaries.
The council has to strike a fine balance between the need for growth and the needs of local communities struggling to keep their unique lifestyle.
They take over a region which is drastic need of major public works funding from both state and federal governments.
Among the challenges “first up” will be the Mangrove Mountain and Hawkesbury River land fill issues which were recently featured on Four Corners.
Mayor Smith has lived on the Coast for over 28 years, most recently at Terrigal and is a first time Councillor, elected from the Gosford East ward.
She has been a school teacher for many years and has a strong public profile from her work as the chief executive officer of the Community Environment Network.
Mayor Smith said it was an honour to be elected as the first Mayor and she is looking forward to the council working together with the whole of the community and in the best interests of the Central Coast.
“We will listen to the community and together we will deliver better roads, footpaths, drainage, recreational facilities and protect our waterways – this is our contract with the community,” Mayor Smith said.
“The services and infrastructure Council deliver is an essential part of maintaining our fantastic way of life here on the Coast,” Mayor Smith said.
“We need to find the right balance between delivering the infrastructure our growing community needs as well as protecting our quality of life and our local communities - I believe we are up for that challenge. “
Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will serve a two-year term.
