As the state election ‘looms’ marginal electorates like Ballina become strategic bullseyes.
All manner of promises and big ideas mighty momentarily excite the minds of voters before slipping noiselessly away after the election, like dandelion balls scattered to the wind.
Meet your candidates
This is why COREM has joined with The Echo and Bay FM to host a Meet the Candidates forum on Monday March 18 at the Byron Theatre – five days ahead of the state election.
There is a lot at stake for us voters, and one of the most significant is urging our government to make climate change a top priority and mandate a renewable future.
One of the groups that have been active local is COREM who have been actively working in the local community to transition the Northern Rivers towards 100 per cent renewable energy.
Growing the energy sector is a vital part of how Australia as a country will be able to meet the commitments to combat climate change. COREM as a member of The Coalition for Community Energy (C4CE), is part of a group of 60 organisations working collaboratively to make that change.
COREM is a volunteer not-for-profit association with a goal of transitioning the northern rivers to 100 per cent renewables using community ownership models.
You can have it all
Australian Energy Market Operator boss Audrey Zibelman says Australians need to understand they can have a renewables-based grid that is cost effective, zero carbon, and reliable and secure.
‘We are looking at how to manage the system to be more resilient as well as cost effective and carbon neutral, or zero carbon … (they) are not necessarily antithetical,’ Ms Zibelman said, ‘in fact, you can have it all.’
But conservative politicians, media and commentators have intensified their scare campaign against renewables and emissions reduction targets, warning of blackouts, economic destruction, lost jobs, lower wages, and calling for support for new coal investment and an end to renewable energy schemes.
COREM believes the transition to a renewable energy market is already here; now we need our politicians to support the change.
Get your questions in
COREM, The Echo and BayFM present a Meet the Candidates Forum like no other onMarch 18 at the Byron Theatre, 6pm.
The night will start with a 30-min call-to-action climate film, drinks and mingle at 6.30pm with the forum, to be broadcast live on Bay FM, will start at7pm.
Do you have the question of all questions? Email: [email protected] to get your voice heard.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
