Tweed Shire Cr Nola Firth has announced her campaign team for the September 14 local government election; consisting of Mary-Jane Edwards (MJ), Hilary Green and Julianne Sandison.
‘This group of talented and accomplished women wholeheartedly support my achievements on Council and want to ensure I continue to work towards a greener more sustainable Tweed for all,’ said Cr Firth.
MJ Edwards says she grew up in the Tweed, which shaped her values and instilled in her a deep commitment to the local community. She has a background in Ecology and Conservation Biology, and a career in Bush Regeneration.
MJ also has first-hand experience volunteering on the frontline with the RFS during the Black Summer bushfires and devastating floods that followed. ‘This experience strengthened my conviction of the need for immediate and sustained action,’ she said.
Common sense
Hilary Green has worked in education for 42 years, first as a high school teacher and then at university for three decades. She has a pHD in statistics and says, ‘Statistics is based on common sense as are Greens policies.’
Julianne Sandison has been a Tweed resident for 20 years and is a qualified teacher with a Master of Environmental Advocacy from the University of New England. Ms Sandison said,
‘I stand as a hard working local, passionate environmental supporter and proud member of The Greens.’
All three women say they have a life-long commitment to environmental protection and are deeply aware of the unique biodiversity of the Tweed, but also its fragility in the face of habitat destruction and climate change. They are committed to sustainable practices, a renewable energy transition and robust and practical environmental protections.
They are therefore highly supportive of the numerous measures Cr Firth has taken during her term on Council. Her environmental initiatives include increased funding for weed control, wildlife friendly rodent control, protection of native and wildlife habitat and the ‘Cool Towns’ tree planting program.
Cr Firth’s initiatives to address climate change have included a community-led climate action plan, retrofitting for electrification, exploring microgrids, local recycling schemes, local food production and regenerative agriculture and improved bike and walking paths.
Cr Firth’s team have all expressed deep concern about The Tweed’s housing crisis and distressing numbers of homeless people.
They say they are committed to supporting her ongoing advocacy on this issue and steps towards finding practical, local solutions to both social and affordable housing.
The campaign team launch will be at 12:30pm, Sunday August 11, at the Sheoak Shack in Fingal.
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