Lisa’s life has been in service to communities, and regardless of her position she’s always worked to challenge and change inequity, and work to rectify the situations that challenge our most vulnerable and disenfranchised members be they human or animal.
In 2007 she was appointed as one of five, to the WA Human Rights Consultation Committee established by then Attorney General Jim McGinty and chaired by Hon Fred Chaney to consult with the WA community on the need for human rights protections in WA.
As the CEO of WACOSS Lisa lead the development of the community sector’s contribution to Children's Services legislation. To achieve this, she established the human services’ sector Children’s Committee that investigated issues affecting children, child protection and jurisdiction collaboration as well as contributing to the new Act.
As MLA for Maylands, Lisa has a deep connection with her constituency and their respect for her work has been recognised by the fact she is in her 16th year as their elected representative. Her work with the community to address the effects of alcohol overconsumption was recognised in 2013 by the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth when she was a finalist in their Community in Action Awards.
Community safety is a concern in Lisa’s constituency, and she has led innovative research and action in the area of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design [CPTED]. Once again, she created partnerships with business, local government and one of the world’s leading experts in CPTED based in WA to conduct research and create strategic actions covering information, support and creative place making initiatives. Her research has resulted in City of Bayswater employing Place Activation Officers who utilise CPTED creative approaches. She formed another cross sectoral partnership to complete another CPTED report for the suburb of Inglewood also in her electorate of Maylands.
Lisa has strongly advocated for local projects and funding for her electorate, demonstrated here with a snapshot of funded projects completed within commitments made in 2017 and 2021:
Local Transport:
Metronet - The new Bayswater Station is a key connection for public transport services with travel options to the Airport, the Swan Valley region and Perth’s Central Business District. Now complete, Bayswater Station is the second largest station on the Transperth network. New roads, better integration with bus services and links to the existing shared path network will provide better connectivity for all who work, live and visit our city.
This project has not been without its difficulties, particularly for the local community, with delays on construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then again with construction complications. Lisa wants to acknowledge the resilience of her community and express her gratitude to them for their ongoing patience throughout this period.
The new Bayswater station has created 4 new railway platforms, 10 permanent retail spaces and contains 8 major art works by Noongar and other local artists. This project is part of the ambitious vision of the WA Labor government’s Metronet, creating over 70 kilometres of new rail line, connecting peri-urban communities to the city, and enhancing transport-oriented development.
Local Environment:
2021 - Environment groups funded just over $100,000 for projects such as signage, equipment and revegetation projects
2017 – Environment project was funded $45,000 for the development of Environment House projects
Local Community Groups:
2021 – Community groups funded just over $360,000 for projects such as play equipment for playgroups and IT equipment for language groups, refurbishment of amenities for theatre centre, playground equipment for local groups, storage sheds and tools for women’s hub, fixtures, signs and support for many other groups.
2017 - Community groups funded just over $365,000 for projects to deliver services to the community, equipment and refurbishment for local groups.
Local Sport and Recreation:
2021 – Sport and Recreation groups were funded almost $330,000 for projects including marquees, shade structures, replacement of equipment and more.
2017 – Sport and Recreation groups were funded over $560,000, including a ‘major’ project for the Bayswater Tennis club to convert two greens to hard courts and add lighting and shading to the area.
Local Schools:
2021 –Local schools were funded just over $480,000 for projects such as solar panels, science rooms and new furniture
2017 – Secured the $50 million ‘major’ funding for the redevelopment of John Forrest Secondary College. In addition, two ‘minor’ education projects were funded to $40,000.
