The Bugle has offered all the candidates a final blog to let the local community know what they stand for. Here are Melinda Lawton's comments from Group E THE GREENS: Standing up for What Matters

VOTE 1 Group E The Greens – Lead Candidate Melinda Lawton

There are five key priorities established by The Greens to ensure positive and active contribution for the Kiama LGA community over the next 4 years.

1. Re-engaging with Community

We need to re-establish a strong connection between council and community. As elected councillors, it's essential that we listen to your voices. The Greens advocate for the establishment of community consultative bodies that focus on specific areas of our community, addressing the unique issues, needs, and potential for improvement. By tapping into local expertise, we can make informed decisions that reflect the true interests of our residents.

2. Protect Community Assets

The recent performance improvement order is a priority, it's crucial that we address the PIO in ways that avoid a simple sell-off of community assets and income-producing services that have been built over generations. We will explore ways to re-energise rather than privatise. Managing our assets in a financially responsible, and socially meaningful way is key to maintaining our community's strength and integrity.

3. Sustainable Housing and Infrastructure

Growth must be balanced with the necessary infrastructure to support it. We need to carefully consider the impact of housing developments, particularly those that extend into high-quality farmland or scenic landscapes.

4. Protecting the Environment and Cultural Heritage

Planning decisions should never compromise the biodiversity and agricultural landscapes that make our area unique. We need to increase Council’s management of our natural areas, including Jones Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Jerrara Dam and land reserves.

5. Promoting Cooperation within Council.

The Greens will work with elected councillors to promote a culture of cooperation, increase trust and transparency, with consistent, professional, and accountable council processes. I will propose a Councillor Charter, to be discussed and agreed upon by all elected councillors, to guide our decision-making processes. This charter will ensure that we prioritise what is best for the community.

I will be at the Uniting Church Kiama for the majority of the day, please feel free to come and have a chat on your way through to voting.

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