Kiama Greens are excited to announce their team for the 2024 Council elections

Kiama Greens – Standing up for What Matters

Melinda Lawton leads this diverse and committed group. She is an accomplished executive leader and design specialist with a wealth of experience in project management, design and construction sectors. She is a team player, specialising in finding creative solutions to complex problems. Melinda is currently working with Waminda, a dedicated Aboriginal female-led organisation ensuring services and wrap-around support for their Shoalhaven community.

Jordan Casson-Jones, the 2021 Kiama Young Citizen of the year, brings youth to the team as the youngest candidate to be endorsed by the Greens. He is acutely aware of the impact of cost of living and lack of housing options for young people and has been involved in the campaign for more mental health services in Kiama LGA.

Mark Whalan has grown up in Kiama. His experiences in local journalism and social media, gives him an astute awareness of the concerns of the local community. With a keen knowledge of local heritage and character, he sees preserving the best of the old with the best of the new is important as Kiama experiences the impacts of growth and change.

Andrew Sloan is well known and respected as a previous councillor and Deputy Mayor. He is a civil engineer specialising in water infrastructure. He has a passion for the expansion of renewable energy into powering local communities as they switch to an electric future.

Stuart Hall, a retired schoolteacher from Werri Beach, is well respected by the many local kids that have been in his care. Stuart has specialised in integrating the natural world with his work and has qualifications in permaculture, horticulture and “Green” education.

Our candidates are very aware that the last council term was characterised by decisions that split the community and created disharmony within the council. Some in the community now feel distrust, with others left confused by processes that were clearly, not open and transparent.

The next term of Council requires a viable long term financial plan to be developed, achievement of the Performance Improvement Order tasks and commencement of the Growth and Housing Strategy.

For these programs to succeed, Councillors and staff must work together respectfully to avoid the internal division we have recently seen.

The community must also feel that it is trusted and heard throughout the change process.

The Growth and Housing Strategy has the potential to change the character of the whole area. The community needs confidence that the change ahead will not reduce local amenity and quality of life for existing residents.

Kiama Greens have a rich, thirty-year history of representation on Council, working to ensure that community values are part of all decision making.

Electing this team as councillors in September will continue that history of representation.

For further information, contact Melinda Lawton on 0403201968 or email the candidates via [email protected] or our website at https://kiamagreens.org.au

Attached is a summary of the principal policy positions the Greens candidates will be taking to the election.

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