Newcastle's incoming lord mayor Ross Kerridge has declared he would "focus on the things that matter to the community, not photo-opportunities".
The promise is one of 20 policies Cr Kerridge and team of independent councillors - which is likely to include at least two others and could grow to four depending on preferences - have committed to.
Some are broad guiding principles, such as moving away from urban sprawl towards medium-density housing near existing infrastructure, but most are very specific.
Cr Kerridge wants council to build 30 kilometres of footpaths and introduce learn to swim schools at all inland pools while making pool fees cheaper, get construction started on the Minmi Road duplication and annually rotate the deputy mayor.
He's also promised to overturn major council policies, including ending the outdoor dining fee, withdrawing council's support to develop the city's new basketball stadium on the Lambton ovals and "launch an appropriate investigation" into the Scott Neylon letters scandal.
Modern politics is often dominated by broad policy and sweeping statements rather than explicit commitments, as politicians look to avoid the perception of breaking a promise at all costs.
Cr Kerridge acknowledged the extensive list of specific promises could open him up to political attacks in the future.
"Sure, that comes at a risk of then being pinged by people saying 'you promised this and you haven't delivered it', but that's a risk I'm personally prepared to wear," he said.
"We workshopped [the policies] and we believe they are entirely deliverable within an economically responsible budget."
Cr Kerridge said some of his policies were aspirational, as they would require the support of other councillors.
"I'm only one person in the council chambers and I can't impose my will on anyone, but I am prepared to advocate for these policies," he said.
"If we don't deliver, it won't be because we've gone back on our word, it's because we weren't able to convince the other councillors."
Cr Kerridge will have every opportunity to get his policies passed across the council chambers, with the Labor councillors losing their majority.
The party will still be a powerful voting block, with five of the 13 councillors flying Labor flags, including former lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes. However, the Labor councillors won't be sitting together during council meetings.
One of Cr Kerridge's policies will be to seat councillors in ward groups, rather than party political groupings, to "foster a more united approach to looking after the community rather than winning elections and dividing the council".
Newcastle mayor Ross Kerridge's 20 promises
- An end to the privatisation and commercialising of public assets and services. Council is for the community and is not a business.
- Focus on the things that matter to the community, not photo-opportunities.
- Building and repairing at least 30km of footpaths across the city over the next council term.
- Faster, more efficient pothole repair and a larger focus on road maintenance and repair.
- Fixing our inland swimming pools and investigating options to lower entry cost to pools or make them free.
- Deliver learn to swim schools at all inland swimming pools.
- Start Minmi Road duplication and ensure that it is delivered promptly.
- Withdraw council's consent for the Lambton ovals to be developed on and work with stakeholders to find an appropriate venue for the Newcastle basketball stadium.
- Lowering the cost of renting council's community spaces such as community halls for not-for-profit organisations.
- Limiting rate increases to consumer price index or lower to prevent large rate rises and assist with the cost of living. Lower rates equate to lower rents.
- Improve the function of council
- Foster a respectful relationship within council meetings and within the council administration.
- Rotating the deputy lord mayor position annually as is common practice in most councils.
- Seating councillors in ward groups rather than party political groupings in council meetings to foster a more united approach to looking after the community rather than winning elections and dividing the council.
- Launch an appropriate investigation into the Scott Neylon letters scandal.
- Reviews into council transparency and freedom of information, council's accounting methods to ensure they are in line with Office of Local Government expectations and a review into the alleged toxic culture of council with an expectation to improve the culture of the organisation.
- Putting local representation and consultation back into local government.
- Ending the outdoor dining fee, slashing red tape and bureaucracy for small businesses and sourcing services for local events from local suppliers.
- Providing council-owned land for social and affordable housing, as long as there are already sufficient social, cultural and environmental amenities in the community.
- Move away from urban sprawl to building medium-density housing in suburbs with existing infrastructure.
