By NIKKI TODD
DAWN Walker is a fighter.
Deeply committed to social justice, the environment and her local community, the Fingal Head resident is a formidable force when fired up.
Endorsed as the Greens’ candidate for Richmond, Ms Walker is well-known in the Tweed and particularly in Fingal Head for her work as the former head of the local residents’ association.
It was in her role as president at the Fingal Head Community Association there that she led the fight against four-wheel drives destroying the dunes around Letitia Spit, just north of Fingal, where protected animals and birdlife were under threat.
She also led the fight against airport noise, with a growing number of planes taking off and landing at Coolangatta Airport, with the flight path directly crossing Fingal and the breeding grounds of several internationally protected seabirds.
It is that same fighter spirit that she promises to bring to the seat of Richmond should she win on 7 September.
“I believe very strongly in social justice,’’ Ms Walker said.
“I believe very strongly that we need to ensure we maintain a healthy environment here because our very future does rely on that. We do have such an amazing natural asset here – it can very easily be lost and we have all seen that.’’
Ms Walker said she was committed to the Greens as the party provided the best balance between a healthy community, healthy environment and healthy economy.
“I am very passionate about community and speaking up for the community and ensuring the balance is kept so all those important parts of a healthy community aren’t walked over the top of by big industry,’’ she said.
“That can very easily upset the balance and put small businesses out of business, damage our environment and put a lot of pressure on our community.
“People have worked for a very long time in the Tweed, to ensure the balance is kept and I am very respectful of that work that has been done in the past by people that (want to) keep the Tweed the way it is in terms of a very unique place to live and raise your children.’’
A mother of three teens, Ms Walker and her family moved up from Melbourne eight years ago after falling in love with the Tweed.
A former adviser to the Victorian Government on small business policy, Ms Walker has since consulted in the sector and is committed to its success.
“Richmond is rich with diverse small businesses and I know that when small business thrives, the community as a whole thrives and they really are a central part to a good, healthy community,’’ Ms Walker said.
Ms Walker lists the fight against Coal Seam Gas as a major priority for the region, as well as Greens’ policies to promote an increase in the NewStart allowance, include dentistry in the Medicare system and promote direct access to local food producers.
