Key issues in East Ward include the flow-on effect of Hurstville's East Quarter development on the Allawah community.

Mayor Nick Katris, leading Labor, will stand for re-election against another five parties in North Ward.

Candidates also vying for a spot include Leesha Payor, representing the Kogarah Residents' Association, and Stephen Agius, leading the Liberals following Cr Varvaris' switch to Middle Ward.

Lachlan McLean, of the Return to Kogarah activist group, is standing as an independent.

Cr Field is number two on the independents ticket, which is headed by Chris Apostolakos.

The Unity Party is hoping to secure a second spot on the council with candidate Xun Qiu.

Parking and traffic management in the Kogarah CBD is an issue for North Ward voters, with most candidates promising big solutions.

CANDIDATES:

Sam Elmir, Liberal candidate for East Ward

Mr Elmir, a Kogarah pharmacist, said he would help protect the unique character of Kogarah if he was elected on September 13.

"I talk to local residents all day at my pharmacy, and I keep hearing the same thing: people are really worried about over-development and the impact it could have on their lives," he said.

"The people in Kogarah are justifiably proud of the unique character of the area, and a lot of that has to do with the family atmosphere here.

"Now that I have a daughter, it's brought home to me how important it is to keep that character and lifestyle alive." Mr Elmir said he opposed over-development.

"We're all going to need to fight hard to make sure the State Government doesn't force that style of development on us," he said.

Michael Platt, Labor candidate for East Ward

He has served on Kogarah Council since 1991 and has lived in the Kogarah area most of his life.

Councillor Platt said he would bring with him many years of experience as a sitting councillor, including 18 months as mayor.

"I am a local who understands our community, having lived in the Kogarah Municipality for most of my life, and always being an active member of the community," Mr Platt said.

During his 17 years on the council, Cr Platt said he had helped build Kogarah's new library, and negotiated up to 150 free operations every year for 10 years for residents on St George Public Hospital's waiting list. "I'll continue to do my very best for the residents of East

Ward and the Kogarah community," he said.

Peter Sangster, the Greens, East Ward

Mr Sangster said he had lived in Kogarah all his life. He said he would be standing for grassroots democracy and greater encouragement of public participation in political, social and economic decision-making.

If elected, he said he hoped to open council committee meetings to the general public: "I believe Kogarah Council should move urgently to improve public and community transport to the large medical facilities in the Kogarah area, and to alleviate parking problems around

these facilities," Mr Sangster said.

"I advocate improved community facilities and services for people with disabilities, elderly people and carers. "I oppose state government interference with local government planning processes, which often leads to inappropriate developments in local communities, and excessive

influence for large corporate interests."

Mr Sangster said he supported environmental sustainability in all matters.

Annie Tang, Unity Party candidate for East Ward

Councillor Tang was elected to Kogarah Council in 1999 and has chaired the council's community services and access committee.

"I am committed to improving community services and providing resources which meet the needs of the local community, especially the aged, people with a disability, youth, women, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background," she said. Cr Tang,

a migrant, said the increase in Kogarah's population had highlighted the need for people of diverse cultural backgrounds to serve on the council.

"The influx of migrants over recent years will further enhance Kogarah's prosperity," she said.

Cr Tang said she would also work to upgrade the library and commercial centre of South Hurstville, and prepare a study on the impact of the Hurstville east quarter development at Allawah if re-elected.

Laura Fu, Labor candidate for Middle Ward

Ms Fu said she had already helped many people through her volunteer and charity work, and wanted to continue working for the people as an elected representative on the council. "It will be an honour and an opportunity to give back just a little of what this community

has given me over the years," she said.

"I will relish the responsibility and bring with me compassion, enthusiasm, dedication and a wealth of creative ideas to build a solid foundation to embrace challenges and deliver positive results."

If elected, Ms Fu said she would create more childcare places for working families and improve local parks and pathways so residents could enjoy a safer and richer community life.

She said school students of all ages could also benefit from quality education and learning services through the library.

Jenny Jacovou, independent candidate, Middle Ward

Jenny Jacovou, 37, grew up in the area and is a mother of two young children. She said she was standing for election to improve the lifestyle of all the members of the community.

"I would like to see council's basic services improved and extended wherever possible," Mrs Jacovou said.

"More should be done for the young and the elderly.

"We need more work and input on our traffic and parking issues, particularly near schools.

"Our footpaths, parks and green areas require extensive upgrades and should be promoted to encourage people to get off the couch and enjoy our great outdoors.

"I am grateful for what we have but I believe we can do better."

Kathryn Landsberry, Labor, Middle Ward Councillor Landsberry was elected to Kogarah Council in 2004, and is the current deputy mayor.

If re-elected, Cr Landsberry said she would call on the council to review its road safety strategy.

"I am constantly reminded that when someone steps outside their front door, what happens next is hugely important to them," she said. "They want to know that their kids can walk to school safely, that they have well-maintained parks, sporting fields and swimming pools,

that our libraries and other community facilities are accessible, and that their quality of lifestyle is not compromised by overdevelopment and failing infrastructure.

"While the impact of a development application next door concerns all of us, many residents have also told me that road safety on our local streets has become a serious problem."

Con Liaros, independent, Middle Ward

Mr Liaros, a father of four, is a long-time resident of Blakehurst.

He served on the council from 1995 to 1999.

Mr Liaros said he helped contribute to a significant overhaul of Kogarah Council during that time, which resulted in the Stuart Street Reserve, the boardwalk in Poulton Park, and international environmental awards for improvements to the town centre.

If re-elected on September 13, Mr Liaros said he intended to bring the focus of the council back to the community.

He said he was a strong advocate of community forums, where residents could meet with council staff one-on-one.

Mr Liaros said he had a strong community spirit and was an active committee member of his church, and a volunteer at an aged-care facility in Kogarah, which he helped establish.

Yawen Tong, independent, Middle Ward

Yawen Tong has lived in the Kogarah area for 12 years, where she runs her own small business.

If elected to the council, Ms Tong said she would address the lack of parking in the Kogarah CBD.

She said the problem affected shoppers and people attending medical appointments, most of whom were elderly, on a daily basis.

Ms Tong said she would also work closely with the RTA to make Kogarah a safer place to live and work.

"I would also like to address the ever-increasing danger of the Railway Parade and Montgomery Street intersection," she said.

"After one major fatality, it is only a matter of time before it happens again."

Nick Varvaris, Liberal, Middle Ward. Nick Vavaris was elected to the council in 1999, and has served as mayor and deputy mayor.

Councillor Varvaris has lived in the Kogarah area all his life and recently established a business there.

"I bring almost 10 years of experience to the role," Cr Varvaris said.

"I'm particularly proud of the role I played in the completion of the new Kogarah library and cultural centre."

He said he was standing for re-election because he believed there was still more work to be done.

"We're facing an unprecedented threat to our way of life here, with the new State Government planning laws threatening to force another 2500 dwellings into our area," he said.

"I'm committed to working with my Liberal colleagues to fight these new laws and protect our community from over-development."

Stephen Agius, Liberal, North Ward

Mr Agius grew up in the Kogarah area and attended St Patrick's Primary School and Marist College, Kogarah. He now runs a chiropractic business in Kogarah and said he understood the needs of both business owners and residents.

"I hear all the time about the pressures facing local businesses and residents from traffic, parking problems and graffiti," he said.

"Uncontrolled high-rise development is destroying the character of our suburbs.

"More units mean more traffic, more people, and greater stress on existing infrastructure.

Mr Agius said he hoped to be elected on September 13 to give something back to the community he grew up in.

"Local residents have worked hard all their lives and I believe they expect others to do the same, especially their local councillor," he said.

Chris Apostolakos, independent, North Ward

Mr Apostolakos said his many years of service to various community organisations had kept him in touch with the community's needs.

He said that now was the time to elect an independent, community-minded person to represent the needs of residents and ratepayers.

"The changes to NSW legislation threaten the basic resident consultation process on building and planning issues, and only an independent councillor free of political influence can combat this erosion of the basic civic rights of residents," he said.

"My daily work demands the highest levels of professionalism and ethical standards.

"My independent team's drive and commitment will deliver to North Ward residents community-minded representation on council for several years to come, above and beyond the slogans and political rhetoric of the election campaign period."

Nick Katris is the Labor candidate for the North ward

Councillor Katris was elected Mayor of Kogarah on September 24, 2007 and has lived in the area for almost 20 years. An architect and town planner, Cr Katris is standing for his fourth term. "As Mayor

of Kogarah I have worked hard for local residents, and brought experience and maturity to the issues that affect our community," he said. "I hope to continue to do that after the election. "Our natural environment is fragile, and I have made protecting and enhancing it

my priority in this term. "I've worked hard to reduce our carbon footprint by cutting fees for solar panels and hot water and other incentives for energy savings in our community." If re-elected, Cr Katris said he looked forward to improving services for youths, seniors and

people with a disability.

Independent candidate Lachlan McLean is standing for North ward

If elected on September 13, Mr McLean said he would fight the State Government's plan to build an extra 2,500 dwellings in Kogarah. "I will strongly oppose the overdevelopment in residential

areas that is currently being rubber stamped by the Labor and Liberal councillors in North Ward," he said. "As a genuine Independent, I will put the best interests of local residents first and I would never sell out to developers interests over residents interest and will

aim to keep local planning in local hands instead of the State Government's hands. "I will work to remedy the parking problems that are having a detrimental impact on Kogarah businesses and will promote local business to achieve local jobs." He said the incumbent North

ward councillors had not devoted sufficient resources to upgrading Kogarah's parks and reserves.

Kogarah Residents' Association candidate Leesha Payor is standing for the North ward.

She said she was calling on Kogarah residents who had supported the major parties in the past to vote for her on the September 13 elections. "Join with us to restore faith in local democracy, local accountability and real local government," she said. "On many of the key

issues before Kogarah, we offer the balance needed to provide greater independence and social responsibility, by allowing everyone to play an active part in decision making. "With Kogarah Residents' Association, it is not our power, but yours, that we exercise, and we

are accountable to you for how we use it, with transparency and an obligation to report to you, openly and honestly. "We are the party that lets local government live up to its name."

Xun Qui is the Unity Party candidate for North ward.

Mrs Qui lives in Kogarah with her husband and son, and runs her own trading, web design and environmental technology business. "I come from a migrant background and am proud to be an Australian," she said. "It is important for those of us not born in this country

to become more involved at the grass roots level to better serve the community we have adopted." If elected, Mrs Qui said she would create additional parking spots in Kogarah CBD, install wireless solar-powered CCTV surveillance cameras in high-crime areas and increase

the number of council waste collections of large household items. She said she would also like to see a childcare centre, for children aged up to two years old, built in Kogarah CBD area, to allow commuting parents easy drop-off and pick-up access.

Colleen Symington is the Labor candidate for North ward. She runs two successful businesses in the St George area and has lived in Kogarah for 16 years. "I have a great desire to be actively involved in the decisions that are shaping the face of my local community," she said.

"I would also like to ensure that residents have an effective voice in the maintenance of their community environment, and that any changes that are proposed are appropriate. "I feel that I have the necessary life experience to bring a balanced viewpoint, which is not fearful

of change, if it benefits and enhances the local community."

Independent candidate Val Colyer is standing for West ward

Mrs Colyer has lived in West ward with her family for 35 years, and runs her own business in the area. She has been an active member of the Kogarah Chamber of Commerce for many years. If elected on September 13, Mrs Colyer proposes to increase the pensioner council

rebate by 20 per cent and abolish DA fees for renovations of less than $25,000. "We need a real independent to be an alternative to the Liberals and Labor," she said. "Local government does not need politics or politicians, it needs genuine community representatives. "Our

council is faced with real challenges in the years ahead, and to start to face these challenges we need to resist the push for higher density in sensitive and heritage areas and provide incentives to encourage solar power, hot water and rainwater tanks."

Mark Coure

is the Liberal candidate for West ward

He grew up in the Kogarah area and has served on the council since 2004. Councillor Coure said he is standing for a second term to fight over-development. "After four years on Council and a lifetime of living in the area, I've seen how the areas around us have changed

irrevocably by over-development," he said. Cr Coure said he was opposed to the State Government's plan to build an extra 2,500 dwellings in Kogarah. "We live in the Kogarah Council area because of its natural beauty, the wide streets, and the friendly neighbourhood

atmosphere. "Our community doesn't want to wake up one morning and find their quiet street dominated by the shadow of a high-rise apartment." Cr Coure said he would also work to improve parking and access to Oatley railway station.

Jacinta Petroni is the Labor candidate for West ward

She said she was standing in the September 13 elections to improve Kogarah's community facilities, parks and libraries and provide stronger support for community and sporting groups. Mrs Petroni said she would like to see the area's heritage buildings and conservation

areas maintained and valued. If elected, she said she would work with all levels of Government to revitalise the Oatley-Como walkway. "I value the importance of community and will work hard to maintain the quality of life residents in our area enjoy," Mrs Petroni said.

"I understand and value the role local government plays in meeting the needs of our diverse demographic, and providing opportunities for community participation and input into creating a place we all would want to live." Mrs Petroni lives in Oatley with her husband

and two young children.

Profiles were not submitted for the following candidates:

East Ward

Labor: Andy Ho, Petar Ilievski.

Liberal: George Saab, Helen Hassapladakis.

Independent: Troy Felice, Kerrie Bible, Marinko Golik.

The Greens: Therese Bolt, Matthew Ellery.

Independent: Robert Atanasov, Robert Geroski, Lila Ilioska.

Unity Party: Donna Vannavong, Kenneth Mak.

Middle Ward

Labor: Fran Smith.

Independent: Hong Woo, Stephen Bible.

Liberal: Mireille Hindi, Jeremy Hay.

Independent: Spiro Papadimatos.

North Ward

Liberal: Elizabeth Taylor, George Katsabaris.

Labor: Jim Pappas.

Kogarah Residents' Association: Peter Martyn, Jim Spencer.

Independent: Anne Field, Lynley Thomson.

Independent: Samantha McLean, Darren Clift.

Unity Party: Andy Au-Yeung, Simon Cheng.

West Ward

Independent: Col Ritchie, Warwick Towler, Tony Martic.

Liberal: Richard Lowe, Chantel Taylor.

Independent: Will Osmo, Jill Ingrey.

Labor: Nicholas Gerhard, Chris Byrnes-Mikelsons.