John Hearne Brief – Coffs Harbour City Council Elections

My name is John Hearne and I am standing for Councillor in the upcoming Coffs Harbour City Elections and I would like to share a brief history of myself with Coffs Harbour residents.

My Family and I moved to Coffs Harbour in 1981. Buying into a family business – a banana plantation (Bennetts Road) and a tyre business (Nortred Tyres). My whole family reside in Coffs.

After working in our businesses, I completed an apprenticeship in carpentry. This was the start of a 20 year history in the building industry. I was fortunate enough to work on many of Coffs Harbour infrastructure projects both commercial and domestic.

My partner Brooke Dillon has lived in the Coffs Harbour region for 37 years. Between us we have four children aged between 7 and 23. Brooke’s family were a big part of the hairdressing scene, operating “Blondies”.

I enjoyed playing football for Sawtell in the 80’s (especially being part of the premiership winning reserve grade side of 1983).

I have worked as an estimator for AV Jennings, owned and operated two small businesses - a recycling business (sub-contracting to the Challenge Foundation) and a concreting business.

I enjoy working for Coramba Timbers as a sales representative, which takes me from Kempsey to Yamba, listening to the problems locals face from a council perspective.

I am a True Independent with no affiliation to any political party or group. Our city has a diverse society and as such we need council representatives who will pay attention to all our concerns.

We have many important industries in our community, including tourism, building, farming, timber, fishermen and a variety of small businesses that require strong representation. So too do our pensioners, indigenous people, our children and you. We all need to be heard and I am prepared to put my hand up and am ready to listen to you…