Newcastle deserves better than what its got: Greens

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Greens candidates say the city deserves better than what it's got.

With local council elections just one month away, the Green's kick started their campaign yesterday with NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge alongside Greens voters and local Newcastle residents.

Lord Mayoral candidate Therese Doyle says it is particularly encouraging that state MP's like David Shoebridge stand up for Newcastle and what Newcastle deserves.

"They take a lot of heart from the fact that people like David Shoebridge stand up for their interest in the State Parliament because the State Government is not standing up for Newcastle's interests."

Therese Doyal has promised if she takes out the top job she'll involve the community in all decisions and ensure they are listened to by the state government. In particular, the debate over the Newcastle 500 Supercars race, which doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, and Therese says she'll keep fighting against it for Newcastle residents and the community.

Mayoral Candidate Therese Doyle, NSW Greens
MP David Shoebridge & Council Candidate
Thomas Levick.

David Shoebridge said the current council is giving the city nothing they deserve and everything they don't want and has some fighting words for current Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

"The Lord Mayor here in Newcastle has really surrendered the city to the State Government, she hasn't stood up when it mattered on Supercars, she hasn't stood up when it mattered on protecting the corridor and we need the strength of Councillor Doyle and hopefully with the Lord Mayor chains around her, really making sure Newcastle stands up to the arrogance of the state government."

Therese Doyle was a little more diplomatic towards the current Lord Mayor.

"Ahh... I have a different vision I believe to Nuatali. I would like to see some of the money we are spending here on the Supercars even spent on other projects. I would like to see us engaging more actively with supporting cultural arts events."

"There have been Greens on this council standing up for this community and the environment for decades. This is a chance to elect an even bigger team, to have a stronger influence on council and to make sure the community are being heard, not just those developers and those private interests that are picking off our parks, picking off our heritage. It's time the community really got a good listen to," said David Shoebridge.

The fight against the Supercars event isn't slowing down.

Leading Team for Newcastle Greens

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

The Newcastle Greens are announcing their leading team for the 2017 September local elections, putting forward Therese Doyle as their Lord Mayoral candidate.

Ms. Doyle will also re-contest her position as councillor of Ward 2, with Dr. John Mackenzie standing as councillor of Ward 1.

If elected, the Lord Mayoral candidate plans to tackle the issues of poor planning and state interference which led to the loss of the city’s rail-line and the hosting of the V8 Supercars race in a residential area.

Therese Doyle says there’s much to be done in Newcastle and some of the issues can only be addressed by the Greens.

Newcastle Greens Lord Mayoral candidate
Therese Doyle [Image: Newcastle Herald]

“I would use the influence of the Lord Mayoral’s position to ensure that the Newcastle community, [and] its elected council is properly consulted before decisions are made by the state government such as the removal of our railway service long before they happen.”

She says the ‘lack of planning’ around these issues is something she’d like to address as Lord Mayor.

“The lack of planning about what’s going [on], how we’re going to protect the health and amenity of people who live in that area - that’s where we need much improved consultation [and] communication between council and the people of Newcastle.”

The remainder of the Greens leading team including candidates for Wards 3 and 4 will soon be announced.

New Plans to Preserve Newcastle Rail Corridor

BY BRIDGET GUNN AND JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Greens Councillors are set to put forward a motion at tonight's council meeting to zone the entire railway corridor as Special Purposes Transport Infrastructure.

The proposal will include allowances for open space transport modes such as pedestrian crossings and cycleways as well as pop up installations and cafes.

Councillor Therese Doyle says the imminent council amalgamations will take the zoning decision out of elected councillors hands.

"The problem with UrbanGrowth's proposal is that it puts development right across the corridor that can be used for public transport purposes, and if we go ahead with UrbanGrowth's proposal, there will be no turning back for Newcastle to have an efficient transport system," says Doyle.

"Premier Mike Baird promised that the decision on the re-zoning of the railway corridor would be up to Council, and we want to keep him at his word, but if we are sacked the only representative of Council that will be making that decision will be an un-elected administrator."

Councillor Therese Doyle and Greens MCL David Shoebridge
discussing the rail corridor plans
Source: The Newcastle Herald

Greens Commit $5 Billion to Domestic Violence Services.

BY GARY LYSAGHT

 The Newcastle Greens have announced their policy on domestic violence reform, calling for $5 billion over the next 10 years to go towards the sector.

Greens Senate candidate Jane Oakley and Newcastle Greens candidate John Mackenzie made the announcement on Friday.

During the press conference they committed the Greens to a plan which will see up to $500 million delivered each year to frontline services including shelters and crisis phone services.

John Mackenzie also committed the Greens to delivering for perpetrator programs to deal with those who commit domestic violence.

“To really address the issue we have to be focussing on programs and policies that address violence against women and children into the long term,” he said.

“That means preventative programs.  It’s got to be more than advertising programs targeting young boys, it has to be focussed around perpetrator programs.”

Mackenzie also clarified that these programs would identify those “with a history of domestic violence” and would be prioritising them.

The Greens have also called on Labor and the Coalition to match their funding commitments.

“At the moment we’re seeing cuts to crisis accommodation as routine by Governments in this country,” said Mackenzie.

“We’re calling on all of the parties running at this election to match our commitment and really make this a priority issue across the party lines.”