Standing for Ward 3 in Newcastle

I am currently a Greens councillor for Ward 3 and hope to represent you again for the 2008-2012 term.

My interests over the past term included stategic heritage,arts and cultural, public art, disability access, Gurakai (Aboriginal), Internal Audit, Coastal and Estuaries Management, Tourism and community forums.

I am extremely concerned about the impact of Ministor Sartor's planning reforms on the rights of citizens and the loss of public accountability and transparency and would advocate to have these laws repealed. I have consistently opposed inappropriate over-development and the loss of traditional suburban character. I will continue to oppose medium-density in flood-prone areas affected by the 2007 storms.

I have been a member of Save Our Rail since the 1980's and will continue to keep the heavy line railway link to Newcastle. I will also campaign for improved bus services and an integrated Lower Hunter transport strategy.

A major priority is the completion of a flood-management plan and Council needs to work with Hunter Water and the state government to urgently improve infrastructure, particularly in the light of irrefutable impacts of climate change.

My Greens colleagues and I will continue to press for the realisation of a Watagan's to Stockton Bight Green Corridor.

We will also campaign to end state government cost-shifting onto local government and to achieve a larger share of Federal tax receipts for local government.

I regard myself as a full-time community representative, and being retired, can continue to devote my 40-plus hours per week commitment to my constituents.

I will also fight to improve the often inadequate heritage management of our city's heritage.