The Northern Rivers Greens have announced their candidates for the Lismore City Council elections, which will be held on 10 September 2016.
The following Lismore City Council ticket was endorsed at the Greens’ branch meeting:
- Vanessa Ekins
- Adam Guise
- Desley Banks
- Heather Dunn
- Shae Salmon
- Trevor Acfield
Current councillor, Vanessa Ekins, heads the ticket and will run for Mayor.
‘Lismore needs a strong and progressive new council to continue the good work of the last few years,’ she said.
.’Importantly, Greens councillors will implement the Biodiversity Management Strategy which provides much needed funds and expertise to landholders and creates habitat corridors in urban and rural areas.
‘Another important project Greens Councillors will progress is groundwater studies of our region’s future water supply. Bringing small water sources on line when needed instead of constructing a $120 million dam at Dunoon is our community’s preferred option.
‘With 12 years’ experience as a councillor I have a thorough understanding of local issues and a passionate commitment to see these projects completed in order to help Lismore transition to sustainability,’ Cr Ekins said.
Adam Guise, who went close to un-seating National MP Thomas George in the state election, said he was proud to stand for Lismore City Council and to have the opportunity to represent Lismore’s diverse community.
‘My involvement in the Gasfield Free Northern Rivers campaign and my advocacy as a candidate at the 2015 State Election demonstrates my commitment to stand up for our community,’ Mr Guise said.
‘With the undemocratic forced amalgamations of councils elsewhere in the state, it’s important that Lismore City Council keeps its powerful voice as demonstrated throughout the Gasfield Free campaign.
‘With the retirement of Jenny Dowell and other councillors at this election, it’s essential that the council remains progressive and continues the good work currently underway,” Mr Guis saide.
Running third on the ticket is local school-teacher and former federal election candidate Desley Banks.
Fourth on the ticket is midwife, nurse, rural landholder, wildlife carer and mother of four, Heather Dunn.
Fifth on the ticket is university academic Shae Salmon.
Sixth on the ticket is small business operator Trevor Acfield.
Jenny Dowell has led a strong and progressive council in Lismore. Good life to her in the future.
Would that we had one similar here in Byron.
So now is the time to get out there and register or enrol so that we can elect a decent council. One that is not controlled by vested interests and the National Party. It doesn’t have to be Green, it needs to be independent.
The Greens, when they don their ticket, need to be far more diligent in their selection process this time around.
I suggest the Greens connect to the Arts, and public Art as there was a kerfuffle within Lismore Council with the Lions fountain at Lismore City Hall.
The Lions fountain is part of community history and the history of Lismore and more tourism is needed for the Lismore Chamber of Commerce to forge ahead in business. What is needed is dynamicism and imagination in the economy.