The Greens' stalwart Upper House MP David Shoebridge helped launch the Port Stephens Greens' campaign for the September 2021 local government elections.
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Caitlin Spiller, a community worker and small business operator from Lemon Tree Passage, has been announced as the The Greens lead candidate for central ward.
Ms Spiller, accompanied by Mr Shoebridge, hosted a meeting on May 8 of local groups wanting to improve the stewardship of Port Stephens Council.
"A discussion titled 'Let's Talk about Local Government and Planning' brought together a wide range of individuals and community groups," Ms Spiller said.
"Port Stephens is such a unique and a wonderful area it would be a privilege to represent the people of central ward," she said.
"I will listen to the real concerns of our community, strive for increased road and footpath maintenance, as well as work hard to ensure development regulations and processes consider the community and the environment."
If elected, Ms Spiller said that her initial goals would include:
- increasing the annual council spending on roads and footpaths and seek further grant funding to prioritise these works for community safety
- a program to line the streets of central ward with carefully chosen shade trees
- an urgent review and update of Port Stephens comprehensive koala plan of management and protection of wildlife habitat
- better planning and compliance to protect the character of our communities and the environment; and
- to seek, listen to and represent the community voice in all areas of local govt decision making
Mr Shoebridge, The Greens' NSW spokesperson on local government and a former Woollahra councillor, said that there were real concerns about inappropriate and over-development and loss of wildlife habitat in Port Stephens.
"I hope the people of Port Stephens seriously consider the future they want for this amazing place when voting this September. I know Caitlin will be committed to the views of the community and to ensuring council processes are more transparent," Mr Shoebridge said.
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