Ticket: Kathy Rice, Jodi Keast, Tanya George, Crystal Wilson, Warren Holder and Ken Sandy

"What matters" - The principal policy areas for The Greens in this election:

(A) Listening and building trust

• listen to residents and consult before making important decisions affecting their amenity and wellbeing
• be open, transparent and accountable
• focus on good governance, long term planning and stewardship
• work with staff to develop timely, respectful and co-operative relationships between Council and the community
• respect community organisations’ input into policies and decisions
• promote greater transparency of Council decision making through improved community consultation.

(B) Supporting community health and wellbeing

• promote and improve the wellbeing and safety of young people, adults, and our communities
• provide support services for the young and aged
• recognise the importance of mental health services and support the establishment of headspace services for Kiama LGA
• promote healthy lifestyles through cycleways, walking trails and other sporting activities
• support the ideals of the Healthy Cities program.

(C) Promoting a cultural life that gives meaning to local people

• value and respect cultural and gender diversity on Council and in the community
• support the arts, local entertainment and libraries
• value and protect our cultural heritage
• acknowledge our pre and post colonial history, listen to local First Nations People and support a Reconciliation Action Plan for Kiama

(D) Conserving Kiama’s quality farmland and rural landscape character

• continue working to protect agricultural lands from urban sprawl and industrialisation
• maintain the high-quality soils in Jamberoo, Rose Valley and between Gerringong and Gerroa for food production
• respect the community’s long term wish to protect the farmland between the villages and towns of the LGA
• investigate future residential development in locations such as the Bombo Quarry site, to reduce the impact on farmlands and rural amenity

(E) Taking climate change seriously

• help the community become more energy efficient
• work to make our council “carbon neutral”
• plan for climate change impacts on our coastal community
• ensure Council policies acknowledge climate change impacts
• develop policies that help our community reduce its impact on the climate and establish Council as a role model in that regard

(F) Looking after the environment

• care for and protect our forests, wetlands, rivers, coastline and scenic landscapes
• increase support for Landcare groups and weed eradication
• protect coastal dune vegetation from vandalism
• plant more vegetation and care for the vegetation we have
• support programs aimed to reduce the loss of local biodiversity

(G) Promoting high quality sustainable urban planning, design and housing

• prioritise “liveable” urban areas and housing over developer profit
• value and protect our built heritage
• provide for affordable rental options in new residential development
• embed quality urban planning outcomes in Council’s planning rules
• improve connectivity within and between urban areas
• promote community understanding of the NSW Planning System
• highlight a long term strategic approach to land use planning and encourage community input into the development of those plans

(H) Making decisions thoughtfully, transparently and with integrity

• respect the requirements of the Local Government Act to vote independently
• be financially responsible
• consider every issue on its merits
• respect existing council policies, noting the need for consistency in decision making
• be open and transparent about the reasons why decisions are made

Greens endorsed Councillors make use of four main guiding principles.

These are: ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY, GRASSROOTS PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY, SOCIAL JUSTICE and PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE.

See full details of our policies for Kiama on the policy page of our website.

Authorised by Howard R Jones, 407 Free Selectors Road Foxground NSW 2534