Randwick’s new Deputy Mayor wants to bring the arts back to life

By ERIN MODARO

Newly elected Randwick Deputy Mayor Rafaela Pandolfini says that local residents can expect a “very open door” from her in her new role. Cr Pandolfini, a Greens Councillor having served just a year on Randwick Council, beat out Liberal candidate Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld for the deputy mayorship by 3 votes.

“I was very much on the side of a resident, before I got into local council” Cr Pandolfini said, reflecting on her time on council so far.

“I’ve got two young kids and I’m an artist and have a job. So for me, being on council has been about really kind of focusing on areas where I have expertise, and I know that I can make a difference.”

On beating a Liberal candidate to the spot, Pandolfini says she hopes she can “be more sympathetic to locals interests in environmental concerns”.

“Being part of the greens, the environment is definitely a number one priority,” Cr Pandolfini said.

Focus on arts revitalisation in Randwick

An artist herself, Cr Pandolfini has raised motions to council in the past have been concerned with the arts sector. In July, she supported a motion to reduce hiring fees for council venues, which she said were “chronically underutilised”.

“I think that that that should be a priority to keep our artists and cultural practitioners within the LGA and not constantly, you know, leaving to go to the City of Sydney.”

The motion found that Randwick Town Hall is being used just 10% of the time, with a report revealing that just 7 bookings were made in 2019. Although the motion passed, Cr Pandolfini said that the lowering of fees “hasn’t quite come into effect yet”.

“There’s a report being done currently” she said, and added that council is “incrementally tackling” the problem by creating residency spaces for artists. 

Cr Pandolfini also passed a motion to begin a studio residency program at the Maroubra Bowen Library.

“I’ve been looking into ways that we can make it more possible for local artists to practice in the area.”

On the environment, Cr Pandolfini says residents want to see actual movement on addressing climate change.

“I think that there generally is an awakening and an appetite for actual and not just… sentiment. Actual change in terms of the environment and in terms of tackling climate change” she said.

Moving forwards, Cr Pandolfini said she will continute to target movement in her areas of expertise.

“I really will be focusing on issues that I feel like I’m quite knowledgeable on, like the environment, and arts and culture.”

“I’m open ears for the community” Cr Pandolfini said.