News
3 November, 2026
Hannan looking forward ‘with purpose’ as election nears
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan isn’t patting herself on the back over what she has achieved since being elected to NSW Parliament 2023.
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan isn’t patting herself on the back over what she has achieved since being elected to NSW Parliament 2023.
Instead she is looking forward “with purpose” to what she is still hoping to achieve if she retains her seat at the 2027 election.
Mrs Hannan held a campaign launch at the Mittagong Golf Club on Monday afternoon (October 2) – attended by supporters of all political persuasions.
It will be followed by similar launches in Silverdale on Wednesday and in Picton on Friday.
Mrs Hannan told her supporters – many of them sporting orange ‘Vote for Judy Hannan t-shirts – that she was unsure what the next Parliament would look like but she would work with anyone “on the grounds it is better for the community” and that it doesn’t “carelessly destroy” what makes the area special.
For the Southern Highlands that means improved public transport and “sensible” development.
Mrs Hannan said if re-elected in March next year she would continue her fight for more reliable train services and for bus services that provide better connectivity.
She wants electrification of the train line beyond Bowral (to Moss Vale) and electric buses running between the Southern Highlands and the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
She said it was about asking not ‘what does the party want?’ but ‘what does the community need?’
Mrs Hannan used Monday’s campaign launch to take another swipe at Wingecarribee Shire Council over the proposed Bowral South housing development.
She accepts the community is changing and there is a need for more houses but said future development needed to be “sensible” and “thoughtful”.
Mrs Hannan said she failed to understand why anyone would be allowed to build in an area that was suspect “in any way, shape or form” – repeating her concerns over the proposed Bowral South development being built on flood-prone land.
“I don’t want to find out when I’m on my walking frame that someone’s house has been flooded,” she said.
Mrs Hannan also spoke on her involvement in issues outside her electorate – but still in the Southern Highlands – including the proposed Repoly plastics recycling facility and the proposed gas-fired power plant in Moss Vale.
She said pollution, traffic, water and waste didn’t stop at electorate boundaries “and neither should commonsense”.
Mrs Hannan she her ‘wins’ had included improvements to high schools, men’s sheds and oncology services at Bowral and District Hospital.
She said securing a new classroom for students and staff at Tangara had been a particular highlight.
“That was one of the special things for me,” she said.
Mrs Hannan thanked local residents for their “strongly worded opinions” and the thoughtful advice that had often been given at “considerable length”.
“Everyone thinks their town is the centre and the most important in the electorate,” Mrs Hannan said.
“They’re right.”
She also acknowledged her “brilliant, compassionate and responsive staff”.
“They’re amazing,” she said.
Next year’s election will be held on March 13 with candidate nominations to close on February 24.
At this stage potential candidates from all the major parties are keeping their plans under wraps with suggestions they are attempting to avoid scrutiny in the lead up to polling day.
The Libertarians have announced Army veteran Adrian Rees as their candidate for Wollondilly.
Fill story to come in The Southern Wire. All candidates are invited to contact The Southern Wire.
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