Council Elections Sailors Bay Ward
4 December 2021
Local Independents For our Environment: LIFE
Three locals who really do think globally and act locally:

Testimonials
“John’s Experience is of Great Value”
I have known John as a member of the committee of the Castlecrag Progress Association since 2019, during which time I have been President. John’s experience as a lawyer, negotiator and member of other committees has been of great value to furthering the objectives of the Association. He would make a great councillor.
– Dr Paul Stokes
“Happy to Endorse”
John has been with WEPA (Willoughby Environmental Protection Association) for many years. I am delighted that he is now President. He has been heavily involved in researching the Beaches Link Tunnel, which will destroy the Flat Rock Gully bushland that WEPA successfully campaigned to protect many years ago. The serious contamination he has exposed has caused Council to take further action. John also presented to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Tunnel. I’m very happy to endorse his candidacy.
– Gay Spies, OAM, Vice President, WEPA
“Lead the Way”
Global warming is now at a crucial point where we have to act NOW starting with local council. John, Kristina and Juliet have the policies Council needs to lead the way.
– Janet France, Co-founder Sustainable Northbridge, Chair Sustainable Reference Committee WCC, Willoughby Citizen of the year 2017 (joint)
“Proven Record of Success”
John, Kristina and Juliet are people of their word who are well respected across our community. They have a proven record of success working on local issues and are truly independent and selfless. Vote for John, Kristina and Juliet on 4 December.
– Councillor Denis Fernandez – Sailors Bay Ward (2017 -2021)
John Moratelli
John Moratelli has lived in Castlecrag with his family for over 25 years. He is a keen commuter cyclist and has a passionate and demonstrated commitment to social justice, the environment, and his local community. He is the President of the Willoughby Environmental Protection Association (WEPA), has worked for over 30 years as a senior lawyer at Legal Aid NSW, and is an active committee member of the Castlecrag Progress Association.
John firmly believes we are facing a climate emergency and that we need to leave a world to our children no worse than we found it.
He also believes it’s important that voters be represented by independents who will listen to the community and advocate fearlessly on its behalf. John is hoping that residents will give him the opportunity to represent them by electing him and the Local Independents For our Environment team to council.
Kristina Dodds
Kristina Dodds has lived in Northbridge with her family for the last 19 years. She currently sits on the Cammeraygal High School P&C committee, is the Vice President of the Northbridge Progress Association, and volunteered for many years managing her children’s sporting teams and band programs, amongst other activities.
For the last three years, Kristina has been leading the Save Flat Rock Gully and Middle Harbour group formed to raise community awareness of the impacts of the Beaches Link tunnel. She testified at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Beaches Link, on why the proposed tunnel is unsustainable and how it affects the health of our children, reduces air quality, threatens unique urban bushland and will fail to ease traffic congestion. Kristina has worked for not-for-profit organisations in education, training and community development for over 30 years. In the last 10 years she has coordinated education and carer support programs for Motor Neurone Disease NSW.
Juliet Schmidt
Juliet Schmidt is a local legend. She has lived in Willoughby city since 1990 and is a retired Nurse and Midwife. She is a community-minded parent whose children attended the local state school from K-6. For the last three decades Juliet has been an active volunteer in Northbridge for Meals on Wheels, at the school uniform shop, on canteen and P&C committees.
Juliet started the Northbridge Sustainability Group in early 2019 to encourage residents to “Think Globally by acting Locally” – focusing on reducing waste, encouraging recycling, and donating items to divert them from landfill. The group runs a Facebook page, organises e-waste collection for locals and loans out reusable kids’ party kits for the community. Juliet has partnered with local council on sustainability initiatives such as encouraging local cafes to swap to paper straws and reusable coffee cups.