SUZANNE PRITCHARD
Mayoral and No.1 West Ward Candidate, Lake Macquarie City Council
Suzanne is an active community advocate and company director. She has lived in Carey Bay for 17 years, has raised three children and served as President of the Coal Point Progress Association for 12 years. She has degrees in Science and Communications and has developed her own company providing environmental education services to community groups and science shows to childcare centres.
“All our candidates recognise that the future will be very different as we adapt to climate change, and ar keen to play an active and positive role in shaping the response of a rapidly growing city.”
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HANNAH GISSANE:
No.1 North Ward candidate, Lake Macquarie City Council:
Hannah is The Greens’ youngest candidate in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area, and is running to highlight the needs of youth and to give them a voice. Hannah has grown up in Lake Macquarie, attending Lambton High and Hunter School of Performing Arts. She is currently studying Communications Law at the University of Newcastle, where she is involved in social justice issues as co-convenor of Newcastle University Student Association’s Women’s Collective.
"As a young person I believe advocating for and representing the youth of Lake Macquarie is crucial in stopping youth disillusionment with the political process.”
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PHILLIPA PARSONS
No.1 East Ward candidate, Lake Macquarie City Council:
Phillipa has a professional background and qualifications in business management and training. Currently completing a teaching degree, she has served as a NSW police officer, insurance investigator, and operations manager of a national company. Phillipa, who has lived in Lake Macquarie for 18 years, wants local action on climate change and unsustainable development in Lake Macquarie, and believes that more Greens on Council will provide more community-oriented leadership.
"The Greens will work towards ensuring development in Lake Macquarie is environmentally sustainable and serves the needs of the local community, not developers.”
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Candidate's Announcement
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Greens aim for Lake Macquarie breakthrough
Climate change and sustainable, innovative urban development will be the key focus for Greens candidates aiming to win the party’s first seats on Lake Macquarie Council at the council election on 13th September.
Announcing the Greens’ Lake Macquarie tickets today, Greens Mayoral and No.1 West Ward candidate, Suzanne Pritchard, said “I’m stepping forward because I want to see innovative and sustainable development in Lake Macquarie”.
“The Lower Hunter Regional Strategy offers a great opportunity to form new communities that should become models for adapting to the challenges of climate change,” she said.
“West Ward will bear the brunt of Lake Macquarie’s population expansion, so adequate public transport and pedestrian options, as well as proper social services for all members of the community, are essential to prevent isolation.
“Strategies for urban water recycling and protecting the bushland corridors are vital to protect the lake,” Ms Pritchard said.
The Greens’ lead candidate for North Ward, Hannah Gissane, said that she was running primarily to give young people a voice in local government on key issues, such as climate change.
“Lake Macquarie council would benefit enormously from a young and environmentally conscious voice,” she said.
“In this era of climate change, the voice of the future is so often silenced and our contribution discouraged. I want to help to change this,” she said.
“As a young person I believe advocating for and representing the youth of Lake Macquarie is crucial in stopping youth disillusionment with the political process,” Ms Gissane said.
The Greens’ No.1 East Ward candidate, Phillipa Parsons, said she believed Greens on Lake Macquarie Council would provide more community-oriented leadership.
"Greens on the council would work towards ensuring development in Lake Macquarie is environmentally sustainable and serves the needs of the local community, not developers,” she said.
Nine other candidates will support the No.1 candidates, making up full Greens tickets for all three city wards.
Ms Pritchard, said she felt inspired to be the Mayoral candidate with such a diverse team, united by a strong commitment to the future of the city.
"All our candidates recognise that the future will be very different as we adapt to climate change, and are keen to play an active and positive role in shaping the response of a rapidly growing city,” she said.
“Lake Macquarie has never had local Greens representation whilst over the hill, Newcastle has had Greens councillors since 1991.
"It’s time that Lake Macquarie benefited from a party that cherishes grassroots democracy and transparency.
“Council decisions directly affect our communities and Greens policies developed at the local level are an effective way for communities to be truly represented,” Ms Pritchard said.
"Our team gives Lake Macquarie voters candidates capable of representing a diverse cross-section of the resident community in tackling climate change, planning, transport, social issues, and city governance”.
Ms Pritchard said that she and other local Greens candidates would release further policy and position statements on a range of policy areas during the campaign.
"Unlike other groups, we don't accept donations from developers and other vested interests. We rely on our members and supporters in the local community, who volunteer their time and talents because they want our city to have a sustainable future.
"The Greens offer positive and creative ideas for tackling the city's key issues, and can show how local action can help to solve big challenges like climate change and sustainable development," Ms Pritchard said.
Each Greens candidate heading a ticket will maintain an active campaign blog, recording their campaign activity, releasing policy and position statements, and commenting on key campaign issues.
Nomination Day
Today is nomination day. The day everyone finds out exactly who is running in the local government elections and where they are placed on the ballot paper.
Our Lake Macquarie team is experientially and socially diverse. The lead candidates in all the wards are female. The number of females councilors that have represented the city is less than 10, from memory about 6 but I'd have to check...none the less the perspective of half of the population has a lot to offer.
Our North Ward candidate Hannah Gissane is 19. A youth voice to be heard at one of the most changing times in recent history. Hannah is someone who can articulate what youth want for their future. Whilst some may question what a teenager can offer to the political process I think Hannah's presence on Council would provide a constant reality check that it is the future that is being determined and there should be someone representing the views of the generation that will be living with the decisions of today. I think it is also time to be looking at doing things differently.
In order to address climate change we need to change our approach to many things. A youth perspective can offer alternative or different options that may at first seem 'out there' but may provide a new or unique solution. The Greens have often been targeted for their alternative solutions, it wasn't that long ago the Greens were the trying to get climate change on the agenda.
Representing East Ward is Phillipa Parsons. Phillipa has a professional background and qualifications in business management and training. Currently completing a teaching degree, she has served as a NSW police officer, insurance investigator, and operations manager of a national company.
I'm running as the Mayoral and West Ward candidate. I know it's going to be hard to replace Greg and realistically it's probably not going to happen this year, but I really would one day love to be Mayor and look after the City. To do this I need to understand how everything works and to do that I have to get on to Council to start with.
West Ward is where I live and where I want to represent. This ward is going to be under huge population pressures and it's a chance to have a voice on Council that demands to do things differently and for the future whilst respecting the exisiting population has chosen to live here because it is a beautiful city, with a fantastic environment, and we want to keep it that way.
Our Lake Macquarie team is experientially and socially diverse. The lead candidates in all the wards are female. The number of females councilors that have represented the city is less than 10, from memory about 6 but I'd have to check...none the less the perspective of half of the population has a lot to offer.
Our North Ward candidate Hannah Gissane is 19. A youth voice to be heard at one of the most changing times in recent history. Hannah is someone who can articulate what youth want for their future. Whilst some may question what a teenager can offer to the political process I think Hannah's presence on Council would provide a constant reality check that it is the future that is being determined and there should be someone representing the views of the generation that will be living with the decisions of today. I think it is also time to be looking at doing things differently.
In order to address climate change we need to change our approach to many things. A youth perspective can offer alternative or different options that may at first seem 'out there' but may provide a new or unique solution. The Greens have often been targeted for their alternative solutions, it wasn't that long ago the Greens were the trying to get climate change on the agenda.
Representing East Ward is Phillipa Parsons. Phillipa has a professional background and qualifications in business management and training. Currently completing a teaching degree, she has served as a NSW police officer, insurance investigator, and operations manager of a national company.
I'm running as the Mayoral and West Ward candidate. I know it's going to be hard to replace Greg and realistically it's probably not going to happen this year, but I really would one day love to be Mayor and look after the City. To do this I need to understand how everything works and to do that I have to get on to Council to start with.
West Ward is where I live and where I want to represent. This ward is going to be under huge population pressures and it's a chance to have a voice on Council that demands to do things differently and for the future whilst respecting the exisiting population has chosen to live here because it is a beautiful city, with a fantastic environment, and we want to keep it that way.
The Turning of the Tide
The last time I posted was the day before the Federal election and how the world has changed! The most memorable thing about it was how good I felt on the Sunday, it seemed like a weight had been lifted and there was hope for a future again.
That feeling of hope still lingers, there was definitely a change in what people thought about the Greens and what we had to offer, with enough Greens elected we formally achieved 'party' status at the national level.
Now there is a new opportunity to make a difference locally. For The Greens, being a grassroots organisation is our foundation. We work with the community and represent the community, we don't accept developer donations. More importantly though the local government election is the best chance of getting a Green voice heard in the local political arena.
That feeling of hope still lingers, there was definitely a change in what people thought about the Greens and what we had to offer, with enough Greens elected we formally achieved 'party' status at the national level.
Now there is a new opportunity to make a difference locally. For The Greens, being a grassroots organisation is our foundation. We work with the community and represent the community, we don't accept developer donations. More importantly though the local government election is the best chance of getting a Green voice heard in the local political arena.
Friday, 23 November 2007
The last of the leaflets
Today I posted the last of the leaflets into the letterboxes of the electorate around Macquarie Hills. There’s a fair few hills in them thar Hills on the other side of Munibung.
Macquarie Hills is one of the chunks of Charlton that are changing. There was the full spectrum of views, beaut bits of bush, birds, lots of hills and innovative stormwater management.
There have been a lot people pounding the paths this week, and a big thank you to all of them, my mum, my friends and Greens supporters of every shade. Everyone wanted to do something to change the way things are and one step at a time was one way to do it.
Macquarie Hills is one of the chunks of Charlton that are changing. There was the full spectrum of views, beaut bits of bush, birds, lots of hills and innovative stormwater management.
There have been a lot people pounding the paths this week, and a big thank you to all of them, my mum, my friends and Greens supporters of every shade. Everyone wanted to do something to change the way things are and one step at a time was one way to do it.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
The largest event of the campaign
Today I went to the monthly meeting of the Morisset Senior Citizens and Pensioners. It was the largest audience of the campaign, and apart from getting diverted by detours and not realising I had 10 minutes to talk all went reasonably well.
The 10 minutes contained a bit about me, a lot about Climate Change, a few policy points and some examples about my experiences with seniors. We had a very scrumptious morning tea and I got to talk to a few people.
It's been a bit of challenge to get the word out but thank goodness for active seniors and the internet.
The 10 minutes contained a bit about me, a lot about Climate Change, a few policy points and some examples about my experiences with seniors. We had a very scrumptious morning tea and I got to talk to a few people.
It's been a bit of challenge to get the word out but thank goodness for active seniors and the internet.
Friday, 16 November 2007
Local Candidates understand local issues
Just heard some news that Mr Combet, Labor's candidate may not be living in Charlton. Is this an issue?
Well I think it's one to consider because how can you understand the importance of a 40-60 minute commute to Newcastle if you never have to do it?
Is the health care crisis critical if you don't have to wait a week to see a GP?
Can you understand the need for public transport if your area is serviced by it?
Can you appreciate the importance of the local environment if you're not emmersed in it?
I guess there is an argument that you don't have to experience everything first hand to understand it but surely when it comes to representing people there is a strong case for living in the area to experience the issues and be motivated to attend to them.
Well I think it's one to consider because how can you understand the importance of a 40-60 minute commute to Newcastle if you never have to do it?
Is the health care crisis critical if you don't have to wait a week to see a GP?
Can you understand the need for public transport if your area is serviced by it?
Can you appreciate the importance of the local environment if you're not emmersed in it?
I guess there is an argument that you don't have to experience everything first hand to understand it but surely when it comes to representing people there is a strong case for living in the area to experience the issues and be motivated to attend to them.
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