Over the next few weeks we’re sitting down with the new faces at Lithgow City Council to share their ideas and vision for Lithgow. First up is Steve Ring.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillor Steve Ring is Site Manager at Hartley Historic Site and has been working in the area since 1987.
A University of Sydney graduate with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in archaeology, Cr Ring has a passion for environments both built and natural, and the history Lithgow holds.
Cr Ring has been involved with the Lithgow Museum Network for the past few years and has been on a number of school Parents and Carers Associations.
He also took time off work a few years ago to create a centenary history of St Joseph’s at Portland, based off an oral history study.
Cr Ring said he ran for a council seat because he could only sit on the fence for so long.
“I was on some council committees and I wasn’t happy with the way some things were progressing,” Cr Ring said, pointing out the Heritage Committee in particular.
Cr Ring gave project management skills, financial management skills and experience with contract management and commercial tourism operation as examples of what he will bring to council.
“I want to represent the whole LGA… It’s very important for the council to make decisions based on the LGA as a whole and to think about Glen Alice, Tarana and all those areas as well.”
Cr Ring said it was very easy for people living in those areas, outside of Lithgow, to feel ignored.
A big issue for the last council and the campaign leading to this one has been economic growth and tourism, and Cr Ring’s said now it’s time to act.
“That means getting sustainable jobs for Lithgow,” he said.
Cr Ring suggested trying to attract people working in finance away from the city, and creating opportunities for people working in technology but said it was a lost cause trying to bring back manufacturing.
“Mining’s got a place and it will for the next 20 years but it will eventually go, as will power generation.”
An issue of equal importance for Cr Ring is the possibility of a council amalgamation in the future.
“I don’t think there’s another term to get it right,” he said.
“I think council needs to think outside the box to increase revenue and increase the rate base.”
By the end of this council term, Cr Ring said he’d like to see a 10-15 per cent growth in population in the area, a better employment rate, and better recognition of the region’s Indigenous history.
“The history of our area doesn’t go back to Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth, it goes back 40,000 years… it’s an area that needs exploration.”