About Bridget Kennedy
Bridget Kennedy is an independent councillor for Lane Cove Council’s Central Ward. She is running for re-election on 14 September 2024.
A committed and passionate advocate for people and the environment, Bridget devotes her time to initiatives that foster community connection.
She first ran for council in 2021 as she wanted to serve and truly represent Lane Cove. Community activism and grassroots projects can only take you so far. She knew she needed to be a participant rather than a bystander.
Find out what Bridget has achieved in her first term on Council
Strong local connections.
Bridget is an active and well-known member of the Lane Cove community. She has lived in the area for 25 years.
Both inside and outside of council, Bridget devotes her time to initiatives that foster community connection.
In 2018, she was named 'Lane Cove Citizen of the Year' in recognition of her community service.
A true
community-focused independent
As an independent, Bridget and her team are best placed to represent the interests of the Lane Cove community.
Independent’s decisions are shaped purely by the interests of locals, rather than those of a political party.
Bridget is a big believer in community transparency and integrity in politics. She is a signatory of the Voices of North Sydney ‘declaration of independents’ - which differentiates true ‘community-minded independents’ from ‘independents’ who are affiliated with political parties.
As a Lane Cove councillor, she’s an advocate for our community and maintains strong and ongoing connections and dialogue with residents and local businesses. This ensure she continues to represent what locals need and want from their local government.
Bridget is a true believer in the power of sustainable and strong communities
Practical projects & creative solutions
Bridget with Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis during the Sydney Edible Garden Trail
Bridget is a team player who brings creative and strategic thinking, project and financial management skills, and an entrepreneurial drive to all her projects and initiatives. She’s a strong advocate for the share and circular economies.
Bridget is a member of the Lane Cove Bushland and Conservation Society and has provided support for their website. She’s also a founding member of The Repair Cafe Sydney North, and donates her time there repairing jewellery for local residents.
She’s also the instigator of the Sydney Edible Garden Trail, a community not-for-profit event run across 14 council areas. Her most recent project is instigator and cofounder of The Sydney Library of Things Inc (TSLOT), a library-like service for tools and other useful items.
Branches now exist in North Sydney and Lane Cove, and it’s Bridget’s dream to see one in every council area. The TSLOT co-founders also oversee the Lane Cove Toy Library, which opened in June 2024.
Business owner &
board member
In addition to her community projects, Bridget maintains a successful career as a contemporary jewellery artist, teacher and small business owner. For 15 years she ran a gallery supporting emerging and established contemporary design artists.
Before this, she worked as an applications developer and workflow specialist in the Australian IT industry in the Banking and Insurance sector. She also spent several years working in the UK in a consulting capacity. While working for Macquarie Bank, she was an active member of their Art Acquisition Committee.
In her spare time, she ran a family mail-order swimwear business (this was in the days before online shops!), with products locally manufactured in Sydney.
She has held board positions at the Australian Design Centre, and the World Crafts Council of Australia.
Bridget on a bushwalk with her mother
Bridget in her former gallery in North Sydney
Bridget lives with her husband Luke, youngest daughter, cat and a multitude of friendly chickens, in a home with an award-winning edible garden.
Her garden was profiled on ABC Gardening Australia, if you want to check it out!
In her spare time, she enjoys pilates, kayaking, gardening, reading and spending time with family and friends. She relaxes by taking quiet walks in nearby local bushland.