Claire’s objectives as a Councillor are to use her skills and experience to see the MidCoast region grow and prosper in a sustainable, culturally rich and diverse way.
Regional economic development (more jobs and businesses), sensible environmental management (to protect what we have) and a thriving local cultural scene (to enrich us all) are her main passions. Claire also works hard to ensure that Council's financial management is robust to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Claire moved to the MidCoast area after a 30-year career in the Public Service (NSW and Federal) with the last 10 years as a General Manager in Food Standards Australia New Zealand. She was responsible for science policy, compliance, regulatory programs and corporate services.
She chaired large national consultative committees comprising consumer groups, business groups and State and Federal government representatives. She represented Australia in international negotiations on standards development.
Claire has a Science degree (with honours) in ecology, a Commerce degree (with distinction) in property economics and post-graduate diplomas in both financial analysis and investment, and in natural resource management.
She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Claire is on the Board of Local Government NSW. LGNSW advocates to State and Federal Government on behalf of Local Councils. She is also the independent Chair of the NSW Food Authority’s Food Regulation Forum.
She lives in Hallidays Point with her husband and has a son who serves in the Navy.
Claire was first elected to Council in 2017, was elected Deputy Mayor in September 2019 and in September 2020 and was elected Mayor in January 2022, October 2023 and October 2024.
Claire’s priorities as Mayor, are:
- improving the way Council consults, communicates, and responds to customer issues,
- ensuring Council is open, transparent, and accountable to the community,
- working with businesses to stimulate and support sustainable local economic development,
- encouraging and supporting Aboriginal community and business development,
- ensuring Council is proactively working to mitigate climate impacts, and
- addressing unsatisfactory road maintenance levels.