Adam Zahra says that when he was growing up Campbelltown was all about street parties and community.
“The parents would be outside mingling while the kids were running around the street,’’ he says.
“I know times change and we have to progress, but a lot of high rises are going to come in with this push for high density.
“Do we really want Campbelltown with places where the ground doesn’t see the sun?
“High density has its place, as does medium density, but Campbelltown is suburban, and we’ve got the space, and we should develop it with those suburban values,’’ says Mr Zahra, who is running as an independent for council at this Saturday’s local government election.
The St Andrews resident and father of three young daughters, strongly believes it’s important to bring back the basics – and some common sense – to councils, as well as the other two levels of government.
Mr Zahra says he’s not one to complain and wait for someone else to do something, and that’s why he’s seeking to be elected to Campbelltown Council.
He is a member of One Nation, but the party does not run candidates in council elections, just state and federal.
He says his personality is of someone who gets things done and that’s what he’s offering the people of Campbelltown.
“I’m a fixer and a deliverer, so just being a tradesperson with his own small business I fill my bin in the morning and empty it in the afternoon, so I have completed my job and made people happy – I’ve delivered.
“I guess I bring that to the table if I get elected.’’
Adam Zahra says that when it comes to development of more housing there should be an option to do it differently.
“Do we go, no, Campbelltown is a place for residents, and suburban, and for kids to play in the street,’’ he says.
He suggests red and green tape should be cut to allow granny flats in Campbelltown.
“A lot of properties in Campbelltown are big sized blocks, so why aren’t we promoting doing granny flats, and letting the mums and dads have a bit of passive income coming in,’’ he says.
“This is not about putting up the Campbelltown is full sign, it’s about the infrastructure, the capacity of our hospital, the roads, the buses, the trains, to cope with high density.
“I am not 100 percent opposed to high density in the main street, near the station – people need housing.
“But we shouldn’t forget Campbelltown was supposed to be a suburban place for families to be safe and happy.’’
Adam Zahra says he’s proud to call Campbelltown home but is worried the kids of today may not have the same approach.
“I remember Campbelltown as a great place when I was younger, but I see it’s slowly losing some of its traditions like Fisher’s Ghost,’’ he says.
“Kids aren’t learning about Fisher’s Ghost anymore, so how can they be proud of an area that started with John Macarthur and sheep shearing and farming, and now is being over developed and the infrastructure is not there.’’
Back to basics and a common sense approach seems to be what Adam Zhara is all about, and that extends to what he will do to get elected.
“I won’t promise things I won’t or can’t deliver,’’ he says.
But he does want to get council to build a district park in St Andrews, and push for a major upgrade of the Raby Road bridge.
“When it comes to parks it seems the older areas of Campbelltown, like St Andrews, are forgotten,’’ he says.
“St Andrews is a big suburb that has a young community, kids.
“I’ve got kids, three kids, and we always have got to go to places like Oran Park and Mount Annan when it comes to parks.
“A district park in St Andrews is long overdue, and an upgraded Raby Road bridge would benefit everyone in Campbelltown.’’
