Big opportunity for local Greens running for council
Local Greens around NSW are today welcoming the finalisation of ballots for upcoming council elections, ready to seize the opportunity of some Liberal candidates failing to enter the race.
With the news that the NSW Liberals failed to lodge their nominations for some council candidates in the upcoming election, local communities now have a unique chance to elect progressive leaders who are truly committed to representing their interests.
While the situation remains fluid, the councils reported to have fewer, ungrouped, or no nominated Liberal candidates include Bayside, Blue Mountains, Camden, Cessnock, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Georges River, Hornsby, Inner West, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Penrith, The Hills Shire, Wollongong, Lane Cove, Maitland, North Sydney, Randwick, Shoalhaven.
Quotes attributable to Dr Amanda Cohn, Greens NSW spokesperson for Local Government and former Deputy Mayor of Albury Council.
“Communities across NSW can be reassured that all 376 Greens local government candidates and 22 mayoral candidates got their paperwork in. There are excellent candidates to vote for on September 14.
“This has only strengthened opportunities for local Greens right across NSW to invigorate local democracy and drive local leadership on housing affordability, the cost of living, and climate action.
“This moment in local government history underscores how dedicated the Greens are to grassroots democracy and genuine community engagement, compared to those they’ll be running against. Across NSW, local Greens are ready as ever to step up and fill whatever voids have been left.
“I would urge local residents ahead of September 14 to contact your local Greens candidate and tell them what you need for the future of your community. What they have to offer as Greens candidates is not just a passion for the community you share, but also the drive and vision to make meaningful change with you, not for you.
Candidate for Frenchs Forest Ward at Northern Beaches Council, Ethan Hrnjak said “our homes on the Northern Beaches are surrounded by a natural environment of such incredible value, including the Tree Canopy, which my colleagues and I won’t stop fighting to protect if elected to council. We’ll be championing sensible affordable housing development and leading good council governance and transparent financial management that’s in the best interest of our communities.”
Kaye Gartner is running for Mayor of Shoalhaven City Council, supported by 12 Greens candidates. Kaye said “the groundswell of support we’ve been getting here in the Shoalhaven means we have a massive thirteen candidates all with their paperwork submitted and ready to go for September 14. Our communities need the spiraling cost of living addressed. We want appropriate development to house our families. That’s what my colleagues and I are ready to do on council.”
The Greens in Wollongong are led by Mayoral candidate Jess Whitaker who said “our campaign has been going from strength to strength and we are now hopeful of increasing from two to four councillors. A more progressive Wollongong City Council is one led by more people ready to turn up for their community. We will keep Wollongong moving with fresh green ideas with active transport options like footpaths and bicycle paths, affordable housing opportunities and great community spaces for young people.”
Media contact: Will Black - [email protected]
See the Greens lead candidates in the upcoming council elections here.