Meet the Greens Local Government candidates 2011

BREAK O’ DAY

Peter Nichols for Council
Peter has been a Councillor for 17 months, bringing professional experience from the community service, administration, army and construction areas.
Peter has been a volunteer with a number of community groups, at St Helens District High School and currently a mentor with Council’s ‘L’ driver program.
If re-elected, Peter will continue to work for the whole of the municipality on issues including:
– the importance of the Tourism industry
– reliable and safe access from St Marys to the coast – Peter organised an 1800 signature petition, presented to State Parliament
– environmentally safe disposal of sewage
– climate change planning, reducing our carbon footprint
– achieving a better Planning Scheme – community consultation and Strategic Planning
– rapid implementation of stormwater controls
– improving recycling efforts
– protecting shorebirds with a Dog Management Policy
‘My passion is environmental protection, we must be custodians of this place for our future generations’, says Peter.

CLARENCE COUNCIL

Kay McFarlane (right and below) for Deputy Mayor

Kay has been a Green’s Alderman for six years continually promoting a ‘common sense’ approach to decision-making that is inclusive and effective.
As Chairman of the Tracks and Trails Committee:
• helped establish a Skyline Reserve from Seven Mile Beach to Roches Beach, continuing the vision started on Droughty Point,
• played a major role in the creation of a foreshore trail at Geilston Bay and bridge across the creek, facilitating better parking for walking access to Bedlam Walls.
As your Deputy Mayor Kay will:
• Oppose Clarence becoming part of Hobart and losing our identity for no benefit to ratepayers,
• Develop realistic climate change policies that do not throw money away,
• Focus on planning that balances business and community values,
• Support a Skyline Reserve for visual/ natural protection of Rokeby Hills,
• Promote AFL football at Bellerive Oval,
• Create liveable and supportive communities.

Penelope Ann for Alderman

Penelope Ann brings energy, experience and innovative ideas to Clarence Council.
Currently operating heritage accommodation at Risdon, she has diverse work experience – fifteen years in small business and tourism, fifteen years secondary teaching and various temporary positions within the Public Service.
As a Clarence Council Alderman Penelope Ann will:
• Focus on Council accountability, due process and good decision making.
• Scrutinize spending to ensure that funds are invested wisely for enduring benefit to ratepayers.
• Fight to keep Clarence free of parking meters which would discourage people from supporting local businesses.
• Work to improve community services, roads and pathways.
• Promote the Eastern Shore and our local businesses.
• Protect the heritage sites, farms, parks and coastlines that make Clarence special.
• Encourage renewable energy initiatives.
• Support the arts and encourage links to MONA.

Lindy O’Neill for Alderman

Lindy moved to Tasmania in 2005 and deliberately chose the Eastern Shore as her home. She also works in Clarence.
Lindy has worked in the Community Sector for more than 30 years; currently she is CEO of UnitingCare Tasmania. She has also enjoyed success as a small business owner operator. This experience creates a thorough understanding of the issues faced by people and the community in an ever changing economy. She believes in gender equity and community inclusion for all.
Lindy believes Council should be more than the traditional 3 R’s of council … ‘Rates, Roads and Rubbish’ and should focus on people, the environment and the business community with a balanced approach that ensures the best outcomes not just for the current residents and families but for the generations that follow, creating vibrant communities that are forward looking.
Lindy stands for Council consolidation – economically viable, resilient and sustainable

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL

Phillip Bingley for Council
Phillip has lived in New Norfolk for over 30 years and is passionate about New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley. He finds that it a great place to live, work, and invest in, and a magnificent area to visit. Phillip wants to bring green values to council – green values that respect our natural, man-made and heritage environments. Phillip will advocate for a rates strategy which ensures future rate changes never repeat this year’s 10 to 20% increases. He will never vote for any annual budget or rate increases unless a thorough annual review has been undertaken of all discretionary council spending. Phillip will strongly advocate for a long overdue economic development plan that will support and promote valley businesses, industries and jobs and a financial management plan aimed at reducing council’s growing loan obligations.

HOBART CITY COUNCIL

Helen Burnet (third from left and below) for Mayor

After 6 years on Council, the last 2 as Deputy Lord Mayor, Helen is ready to provide the leadership that will see Hobart thrive.
Her approach is inclusive and collaborative. Helen will work with other tiers of government for outcomes that benefit our region.
IHelen will be a full-time Mayor, and will encourage the people of Hobart to engage with their Council.
She imagines Hobart:
• Providing a range of inner-city housing
• With integrated, healthy, and convenient transport networks
• Creating opportunities for a rich mix of businesses
• Valuing our heritage, diversity, and lifestyle
• Promoting energy-efficient solutions
• Recognising and promoting artistic and academic success
• Assisting the disadvantaged
Helen is a good listener and a hard worker with a passion to make Hobart the best it can be!

Bill Harvey for Deputy Mayor and Council

Bill will continue advocating for quality urban design and the Inner City Development Plan. He is an active supporter of the arts, cultural diversity, social inclusion, the rights of young people and the health benefits of walking and cycling.
Bill takes protection of the environment and the challenge of climate change seriously and believes that Hobart should lead the country with carbon farming, a solar energy park, a wind farm and rebate initiatives.
He sees the establishment of a night market and street food stalls as important to increasing street activity and diversifying the evening economy.
Waste management is a high priority and reducing litter and landfill through a container deposit scheme, organic waste collection and phase-out of plastic takeaway packaging are important initiatives Bill plans to pursue.

Philip Cocker for Alderman

Philip a Greens-endorsed candidate for this election and have served the community on Council for 6 years.
His goal is to make Hobart the most liveable city in the world.
Philip has worked for and supported:
• Inner city residential development
• Cycle-ways
• Community Gardens
• Protection of heritage buildings
• The expansion of the University in Hobart
• Better public transport for the city
• A self-funded Taste of Tasmania
• Protection of residential amenity
• Rivulet restoration
• Development of the Gehl plan
He has opposed:
• Development on the mountain
• More expensive ratepayer-funded car parks
• The size of recent rate increases
• Destruction of Heritage buildings
• Car Yards in the CBD instead of residential development
The University is important to our city and must be developed and supported. Hobart is the gateway to Antarctica and I will work to enhance our city’s role.
I respect and support the tradition of Christmas drinks in Salamanca.

Madeleine Charles for Alderman

As a passionate young leader Madeleine is concerned that the under 35s voice is missing from local council. Currently in her third year of Arts/Law at UTAS, Madeleine is a recipient of the Vice Chancellors leadership award and a 2010 finalist for the Southern Cross Young Achievers award for her volunteer work in the community.
Madeleine is committed to social and environmental justice. As a councillor, she will focus on initiatives which assist social inclusion, build on Hobart’s natural, cultural and historical advantages (such as the Jan Gehl inner-city development), promote Hobart as a maritime city and work towards revitalising the Elizabeth Street Mall. She will actively support university students and cyclists.
‘In 20 years my generation will be affected by the decisions made on council and we urgently need to be represented and engaged’ says Maddi.

HUONVILLE COUNCIL

Liz Smith for Mayor

As mayor, Liz will bring fresh impetus to leadership in the Huon Valley.
The next two years will see the biggest changes to local government in almost 20 years. Negotiations on reforms and potential mergers will require a well-informed mayor with problem-solving skills and a desire to listen to residents’ views.
Liz has extensive community involvement, nine years’ experience as a Councillor, a degree in planning, teaching experience and a doctorate in science. She is well qualified to represent the Huon Valley and provide the best opportunities for everyone to have a say.
Liz commits to:
– promoting open, accountable, impartial and ethical decision-making
– working full-time as mayor, with no conflicting employment or business interests
– attending all 16 community halls in the municipality during 2012 to hear your views, concerns and ideas.

Rosalie Woodruff for Deputy Mayor

Rosalie has a background in science, with a doctorate in population health. She will bring these skills of analysis to Council to find solutions to problems and broker a middle path.
The Huon Valley has incredible natural assets and a wealth of skills. Rosalie values the knowledge of people who have lived here for generations and the different experiences new people to the valley bring. Building on these is the basis for a vibrant, healthy community and a broad-based economy. As Deputy Mayor, Rosalie will work to support job creation through new business options, including micro-businesses, tourism, and new agricultural enterprises.
Rosalie is committed to consistent and fair planning for new developments, and to protecting the character of the landscape that makes the Huon special. She will ensure that expenditure towards services for the community will be fair and efficient.
Contact Rosalie on 62951907.

KINGBOROUGH COUNCIL

Julian Bush (left and below) for Deputy Mayor

With wide experience, Julian Bush has the time, energy and commitment to be your outstanding candidate for the office of Deputy Mayor.
He is Chairman of the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra and Council’s representative and former Chairman of Southern Waste, and past Warden of Bruny Island.
The incoming Council will have several critical issues that will affect the future lives of all in Kingborough.
Julian believes
• Old Kingston High site- Must be under Council and community control.
• New Planning Scheme- Must be able to protect our unique features and lifestyle
• Sea level raise- Must act now to develop policies to cope with it’s effects.
• Amalgamations-In whatever form – Must have safeguards in place to maintain grass roots input and viability particularly of rural areas.

For more information, see Julian’s Facebook page; and then vote 1 for Julian Bush as both Deputy Mayor and Councillor.

Mark Rickards for Alderman

Mark is a former Naval officer and senior manager, and is now a successful small business owner. He will bring an extraordinarily diverse skills set to Kingborough Council. Mark is:
• a Member of governance board of Tarremah Steiner School since 2006, Chairperson since 2008
• an active member of local community, including junior cricket coach and Franklin Greens
• He has successfully campaigned for traffic calming measures in Hawthorn Drive
• Mark beloieves that suburban Kingston and families in particular are under-represented on Council
• Mark will be a voice for a more family-friendly Kingborough, including sustainable transport, traffic safety and better access to services
• Mark believes that Kingborough needs development, but it must be appropriate to the area, and must add value for locals, not just for developers
• Mark believes that Councils must be prepared for amalgamations, and will ensure that there are still ways for local residents to have input into decisions that affect them

Jane Bange for Alderman

Jane is 53, married and a former Army Captain and dental surgeon, with over four years experience as a local government councillor.
Her political experience on a large NSW coastal council has made her keen to tackle the same challenges of poor planning, traffic problems and inadequate infrastructure that she believes that she sees here in Kingborough.
Jane is particularly concerned that plans for the old Kingston High School site must not sideline the community, nor should development ride roughshod over our prime agricultural lands.
Critically, Jane has the time and energy to commit full-time to Council work. Her track record has been working co-operatively with fellow Councillors, and with all levels of Government, to achieve the best outcomes.
In all her decision-making, Jane will work hard to ensure the widest possible benefits go to the Kingborough community, especially its outlying villages and neighbourhoods which often get overlooked.

LAUNCESTON CITY COUNCIL

Amy Tyler for Alderman

Raised in Launceston and having worked and studied around the world, Amy recognises the uniqueness of Launceston city.
With your vote, she will advance a local economy that attracts young professionals and supports families, advocate for public spaces and transport that connects communities and make healthy living easier, neighbourhoods free from pokies. Amy will promote the natural wonder of the Cataract Gorge, sustainable development, not a pulp mill and a women’s perspective on Council.
With your vote, Amy can contribute to Launceston Council by questioning how rates can be better invested, and not just spend them. She believes Launceston needs to invest in:
• its tip, so it is a place for recycled goods and not a dump;
• cycleways, pathways and efficient public transport so a fifth of the budget isn’t spent on local roads annually;
• energy efficiency and independent energy sources to reduce cost of living;
• progressive business practice that supports distinct needs of young women who want a family and a career;
• healthy living to reduce the pressure on our hospitals and make for happier communities.
Young and vibrant, Amy has the the vision for what is possible, the youthfulness to work actively to ensure it happens and the backing of a Party growing in strength and influence.
Suzanne Cass Party Manager Tasmanian Greens