Councillor Kathy Bryla released the following statement on Lane Cove Chat by ITC.
“I can remember the day when I was asked to run for a seat in the Lane Cove Council 2021 election. I was excited to be able to represent the people of Lane Cove across issues including climate change, communication, building a sustainable community and the protection of our natural environment.
Together we have achieved: a review of our planning regulations to place climate and resilience into the guides; measures to protect bushland; solar schemes to help with the transition to an electric future and more…
I want to thank the people of Lane Cove and the local Labor Party branch for the opportunity to be elected in Lane Cove and represent the community.
As of last week, I will continue to serve as an Independent Councillor in order to represent the Lane Cove communities’ interests.
I look forward to continuing to talk with you about the things that matter to you.
Please connect either by email [email protected] or by following my Facebook page.”
ITC spoke to Kathy Bryla about her decision to resign from the Labor Party and to serve out the rest of her term as an independent.
“I sent a letter of resignation to the State Labor Party on Wednesday 6th September 2023 ,” Kathy Bryla said.
Kathy Bryla told ITC that before running for office, she had not been a member of a political party.
Kathy did have experience with the Lane Cove Council as she was a member of the Lane Cove Council’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
The Lane Cove Council’s Access and Inclusion Committee aims to assist the Council in increasing and promoting general awareness of access and inclusion for all people in the community. When Kathy was a member of this committee, it was chaired by Andrew Zbik.
Kathy was a member of this committee as she is an architect and wanted to ensure that Lane Cove Buildings were accessible for all.
Andrew Zbik approached her to join the Labor Party and run in Central Ward.
“Given my passion for the environment and my work on the Access and Inclusion Committee, the idea of running for office and being able to contribute to the process of local government appealed to me” said Kathy.
“I wanted to make a difference, but what I was not prepared for was being part of the party process and seeing the party process in action on both sides of the political divide”.
“After much deliberation, I have decided that it would be better for me and for my service to the community to be independent, and I look forward to working with all the councillors to achieve the strategic goals set at the commencement of this current term.” Kathy further said.
Mayor Zbik told ITC that he recruited Kathy for the Labor Party, and he will continue to work with all members of the council to get things done.
The make-up of the current council is a follows:
Central Ward
Kathy Bryla – Independent
Bridget Kennedy – Independent
Katherine Mort – Liberal
West Ward
Mayor Andrew Zbik – Labor
Scott Bennison – Liberal
Rochelle Flood – Greens
East Ward
David Brook Horne – Liberal
Merri Southwood – Independent
Councillor David Roenfeldt – Labour
The next meeting of the Lane Cove Council is on Thursday 21 September 2023.
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