Kristian Horvath - Community Advocate

Hi, I’m Kristian, your candidate for Mayor and Councillor for the Sorell municipality and a local community advocate. 

I want to lead a Council that makes life easier and delivers the best possible outcomes for residents. The best way to achieve that is by working closely with our community, being transparent in our decision making, and using every interaction as an opportunity to build trust and better understand the issues that matter most to residents.

Too often, Council decisions that affect residents are made behind closed doors and without enough community input, making life harder for everyone. When decisions don't reflect local priorities, trust in Council declines, valuable local knowledge is overlooked, and time and ratepayer money can be wasted.

I see the role of Mayor as more than just leading the Council. It is about being a conduit between residents and Council, creating every practical opportunity for people to share their concerns, ideas, and priorities, and ensuring those voices help shape the decisions that affect our community.

Together, we can reduce the disconnect between Council and residents and build the most trusted, transparent, and efficient Council in Tasmania. A Council that is relationship focused, works alongside the community, and is committed to making life easier for everyone.

About me

I am a Chemical Engineer and Project Manager by profession, and the Founder and President of the Sorell Community Network, a local charity that operates the Sorell Free Food Program and the Sorell Low Cost Store.

Over the years, I have been actively involved in a range of community initiatives, including:

• Founding and coordinating the Dodges Ferry Primary School Free Breakfast Program
• Founding and leading the Sorell Landcare and Boxthorn Free Midway Project
• Organising school holiday scavenger hunt events for local families
• Editing and publishing the Sorell Community Newsletter, delivered to more than 8,200 households across the municipality
• Working alongside residents to ensure their voices are heard and to help improve local neighbourhoods
• Leading the creation of an Annual Sorell arts and music festival

My focus has always been on bringing people together, identifying practical solutions, and delivering projects that strengthen our community.

Policies by locality:

Boomer Bay | Bream Creek | Carlton | Carlton River | Connellys Marsh | Dodges Ferry | Dunalley | Forcett | Kellevie | Lewisham | Midway Point | Nugent | Orielton | Pawleena | Penna | Primrose Sands | Sorell | Wattle Hill

Policies by categories:

Health

Advocate for X-Ray and Ultrasound Services in Sorell

Establish a local health committee to advocate for better access to health care, local GPs, nursing homes and ambulance services

Infrastructure

Commission feasibility study for a public swimming pool/aquatic centre in Sorell 

Infrastructure to keep up with population growth

Advocate for improve phone reception across the Sorell municipality

Council will seek community feedback on infrastructure projects and prioritise them transparently by cost, location, and demand to better reflect residents’ needs

Keeping Rates as Low as Possible

Keeping Rates as Low as Possible

Prioritising Direct Council Employment

Roads and traffic

Reduce speeding and dangerous driving (e.g. hooning) in Carlton by upgrading basic road infrastructure

Address speeding on Carlton River and Fulham Roads and review the safety of key intersections, including Beach Road and Fulham Road

Implement measures to reduce speeding on Lewisham Scenic Drive (more to come)

Reduce tourists accidentally using Wielangta Road and Sugarloaf Road by improving signage and working with GPS providers to ensure more accurate and appropriate route guidance

Housing

Increase the supply of long term rental housing by making whole-house short-stay rentals pay similar rates as other accommodation businesses

Building and planning

Make planning and building processes easier to follow while providing practical advice and guidance to help residents achieve the best outcomes

Advertising Development Applications of Public Interest

Transparency and democracy

Council decisions are shaped by residents

Residents to vote on local spending

Integrity and Ethical Conduct Policy

Elderly Populations

Free fitness in the park in Sorell and Midway Point, designed to suit people of all abilities and mobility levels (more to come)

Waste

Allow rural residents to opt out of Green Waste/FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bins if they live on properties larger than 2,000m², with the associated charge removed from their rates

Footpaths

A Carlton Beach Road footpath designed by the community 

Conduct a feasibility study for the installation of a footpath loop in Primrose Sands along Grevillea St, Linden Rd and Primrose Sands Rd

Environment

Care for our natural environment and increase biodiversity by working closely with residents and community groups

Public transport

Advocate for improved public transport services for Midway Point, Sorell and Southern Beaches

Advocate for more frequent bus services to/from Primrose Sands and make half-price fares permanent

Parks, playgrounds and dog parks

Upgrade Snake Hollow Park using local subdivision funds, with a community-led design shaped through meetings and surveys

Build a community-designed dog park in Primrose Sands

Council communication

Send Council's newsletter to all addresses, including tenants

Redesign the Sorell Council website to make it highly user-friendly, easy to navigate, and efficient in helping residents find information

That’s why, over the next 12 months, my volunteers and I will be chatting to thousands of people to hear your concerns and ideas.

We’ll host regular public meetings, knock on doors and run a massive community-wide survey.

This campaign starts with your ideas on how we build a stronger, more connected and beautiful community for everyone. 

The first step is to fill out my community survey to have your say and get in touch if you would like to chat.