How I can help

Contacting me as your councillor.

You are welcome to contact me about Council-related issues, local concerns, upcoming decisions, or problems you are having with Council processes. I cannot promise I will agree with everyone or personally fix everything, but I can listen, ask questions, point you in the right direction, and raise issues where appropriate.

Good reasons to contact me

A Council decision you are concerned about.
An upcoming consultation or submission.
A local issue affecting your street, suburb, business, or community group.
Council services that are not working as they should.
Rates, spending, infrastructure, transport, or planning concerns.
Difficulty understanding a Council report, agenda, or process.

What to include

Your name and suburb or area.
A clear summary of the issue.
Relevant addresses, dates, reference numbers, or Council correspondence.
What outcome you are hoping for.
Whether you have already contacted DCC through official channels.
Photos or documents that help explain the situation.

What I can do

Listen to residents and community groups.
Ask questions through the proper process.
Raise issues with the Mayor, councillors, or relevant Council teams.
Help explain Council reports, meetings, and decisions.
Advocate for transparency and better process.
Vote on matters that come before Council.

What I cannot do

Direct Council staff to make a specific operational decision.
Overturn consents, enforcement decisions, or legal processes by myself.
Guarantee a particular outcome.
Act as your lawyer, planner, engineer, or official adviser.
Replace formal Council channels for service requests, applications, complaints, or submissions.
Share confidential or public excluded information.

When to use official DCC channels first

For urgent or operational issues, it is usually best to contact DCC directly first. Examples include water leaks, rubbish and recycling problems, road damage or safety hazards, parking issues, animal control, noise complaints, building or consent enquiries, rates account questions, official information requests, and service requests that need tracking.