One quality shared by every Greek community in the diaspora is the way in which it unites to show support to making a difference, in every industry including sport, business, music and politics. The residents of Bayside Council in Sydney intend on doing just that this Saturday 9 September, when Louis Tzortzis, a proud Brighton-Le-Sands local, runs for council election.
Brighton Le Sands, a seaside suburb in the South of Sydney has a huge Greek influence, with its large number of Greek Australian residents, plus many cafes, restaurants and other businesses, which are owned by Greeks.
Tzortzis has a close affiliation with Brighton, which began in the summer of 93, when like most Greek youngsters from Sydney, he would spend many hours socialising at the local cafes and restaurants, which are located on popular Grand Parade and Bay St.
His aim is to now recreate Brighton and Bayside, into a recreational and tourist destination, as well as turning it into a first-class area to raise a family, making it a welcoming and enticing neighbourhood for locals and visitors alike.
Tzortzis, a Sales Manager at McGrath Projects is a genuine character who loves spending time with his family and has a deep appreciation for history and culture. With parents hailing from the village of Pefkos, near the site where 1821’s revolution in Kalamata was declared, Tzortzis feels it’s in his blood to act on his sense of civic duty and is committed to making a difference
“I am committed to creating a proud legacy for future generations and I want to see positive development in the area,” says Louis.
GCT managed to take him away for a quick break from his campaign preparations to answer our fast five questions.
Why do you want to run for Council?
My interest started recently when there was an application from a developer to construct and operate an 11 storey, 88 room boarding house on Bay St in Brighton-Le-Sands. Naturally as a local I was concerned about this type of property , which was being proposed in this area, given we currently have certain issues yet so much potential.
What is your main vision for the area?
My short term vision is to clean up the streetscape, to eradicate the hoons on bikes, cars and jet skis, to create more parking spaces as the residents and businesses are suffering due to the chronic shortage of parking spaces, and of course to stop the proposed boarding house.
Regarding the long term, I feel we have a responsibility and opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for future generations, through well thought out and designed residential projects, public spaces and retail and dining precincts. I believe we must ensure that they are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable for the communities they serve for decades to come.
For people who are not sure who to vote for- why should they vote for you?
I am genuinely interested in offering the residents and business owners of my community my time, to listen to their issues/concerns and to do my utmost to get a result for them, and to keep the council accountable for their decisions. I also feel I will bring fresh energy to my role and I will be proactive in introducing new initiatives to improve the neighbourhoods.
What are you most looking forward to if you get elected?
Working with my fellow councillors and other relevant bodies to improve the area we work and live in, and to see the tangible benefits it brings to the community.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love hanging out with my family, whether going for a walk or grabbing something to eat or staying home watching SUITS or a movie. I also love travelling. My favourite cities in the world are Athens and Paris. I appreciate the history, the culture, the architecture in Athens and the pride Parisians have in themselves and their city.
