Mike Baird - Photo: Eva Rinaldi
Contending NSW Premier, Mike Baird, will be at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, from Sunday to Tuesday next week to address hundreds of state Councillors at the annual Local Government NSW conference.
As a guest speaker, Baird will address hundreds of Councillors from around the NSW area, in the hope of wiping out one of the council areas in a merger.
Wollongong Lord Mayor and by-election candidate, Gordon Bradbery, told the Illawarra Mercury, that he believes Baird, “was anticipating having a merged council,” but may find a hostile reception due to his government’s recent, contentious council mergers.
Despite backlash regarding decisions on greyhounds and sharks this week, Bradbery doubts Baird will back down on the Wollongong-Shellharbour merger, as that would, “reinforce the public perception that this government is flip-flopping all over the place”.
While Baird is in Wollongong, Bradbery is hoping to have him consider a funding for: a revamp of the Entertainment Centre; upgrades to Wollongong Harbour; and transport projects like Mount Ousley and Bulli Pass.
“I don’t want his endorsement, or anyone’s endorsement. I’m an independent and will remain that way. I just want delivery on the projects that are going to benefit the people of the city, thank you,” Bradbery continued.
According to the Illawarra Mercury records, the last time Baird was in Wollongong for an official event was in May 2013 where he, as treasurer, discussed the leasing of Port Kembla.
