Cr Pooley defeated the former NSW upper house president,
Meredith Burgmann, by 546 votes to 333 at the Labor state conference.
He joins fellow councillors Shayne
Mallard, Chris Harris
and Clover Moore in the race for
Lord Mayor, as well as former Sydney Opera House director Michael Lynch.
Cr Pooley said he was pleased to receive the party’s
support, adding that Labor needed to present a positive alternative to the
current administration.
“I look forward to putting my ideas forward for
improving the delivery of vital services to residents and ratepayers,” Cr
Pooley said.
In a speech to conference delegates he outlined his vision
for securing Sydney’s
future.
“I’m running for Lord Mayor because I want to improve
services and infrastructure to make sure Sydney retains
its position as Australia’s
number one city,” he said.
Cr Pooley referred to the blow out of the Surry Hills and
community facilities budget from $3.6 million to $19 million and the Ian Thorpe
Aquatic Centre from $25 million to $40 million in just one year.
“We need a city and a Lord Mayor that spends less on
grand vision statements and consultants and more on people and social
services,” he said.
Cr Pooley said he would focus on restoring financial
accountability in capital works projects and fairer distribution of the city’s
vast resources.
“I’m determined to work hard to ensure the whole
community reaps the benefit of the city’s resources,” he said.
Source: Courier 14 May 2008