Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, has nominated a committed campaigner against inappropriate Ku-ring-gai development, Kathy Cowley, for the prestigious 2010 NSW Woman of the Year Award.
Mr O’Dea said that for more than 15 years, Kathy Cowley has been at the forefront of community opposition to overdevelopment in Ku-ring-gai.
“She is a founding member and Vice-President of FOKE (Friends of Ku-ring-gai Environment) and initiated an application for a Council grant to undertake a photographic record of the designated Urban Conservation Areas of Ku-ring-gai.
“This outstanding photographic record targeted North Shore areas under threat of redevelopment. Copies of the valuable work are now with libraries, historical organisations and State and Local Government as a reference work for generations to come,” Mr O’Dea said.
“She has also been involved with Save our Sydney Suburbs Inc., Friends of Lindfield, the Ku-ring-gai Preservation Trust, Rally Ku-ring-gai, Residents Against Inappropriate Development (RAID) and the “Not So High” Group.
“She demonstrated great foresight as the Convenor of the Coalition of Community Groups to formulate community input on the topics of traffic, heritage, infrastructure and the environment to Ku-ring-gai’s former Residential Strategy.
“Her instigation of petitions and interest in the natural and cultural heritage of Ku-ring-gai has also resulted in her participation in numerous formal and informal community forums.
“In doing so, she has inspired many other people to fight for Ku-ring-gai’s environmental future,” Mr O’Dea said.
The 2010 NSW Woman of the Year will be announced at a special reception to mark International Women’s Day, at NSW Parliament House in Macquarie Street, next Monday evening (8 March).
“I will also be attending a local function to mark International Women’s Day at Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers on Monday morning,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
