Councilor Katie Milne will lead a team of six Tweed Green candidates for the 2012 council elections to be held in September.
“The Greens are thrilled to present such a strong and diverse team,” serving councilor Katie Milne said.
“Never before have we had such an enthusiastic response from members.”
Cr Milne, 45, of Carool, has a background in small business, hospitality, community welfare and conservation.
She said she credits her community welfare training for helping her understand the vital significance and value of community consultation.
“My hope is for a more progressive Council with a fresh perspective and a more creative, caring and consultative leadership approach,” Cr Milne said.
Tweed Greens Convener and spokesperson Andrea Vickers said Cr Milne was well-known for her consistent support of community issues.
“The Greens received the highest vote in the history of Tweed in the 2008 election, and Katie has upheld that trust,” Andrea said.
Number two on the Greens ticket is Joanna Gardner of Byrrill Creek.
“Joanna is a 30-year resident of the shire and was director of Mt Warning Preschool for 14 years,” Cr Milne said.
“She owns a successful teaching business and has studied and worked in the ecotourism industry.
“As a member of Council’s Community Working Group on Water, she is a strong advocate for sustainable urban planning, with a particular focus on best practice water management in new developments to prevent wasteful public spending on dams.”
The other four candidates are in order:
Mrs Kirsten Ealand of Farrants Hill. Mrs Ealand is a partner in a photography business, casual teacher at Kingscliff TAFE, and mother of two, who is also studying librarianship.
Ms Andrea Vickers, 35, of Palmvale, an educational disability support worker who has studied political science, psychology and journalism, and stood for the Greens for the 2012 State Government election.
Mr Michael Manley, 26, from Cabarita, who is studying environmental science, coastal and fisheries management at Southern Cross University and is actively involved in restoring Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek.
Mr Ian Willis of Eungella, a former managing director of a consultancy firm for development, construction and body corporate issues, now turned organic farmer
“Our larger ticket demonstrates the broad diversity of the Tweed Greens and the growing will for change,” Cr Milne said.
“With backgrounds including a range of small and big business, tourism and hospitality, health and education, environmental and marine management, the arts and agribusiness, we are able and ready to serve Tweed residents across the spectrum.”
Key issues the Greens have identified for the 2012 elections are:
1. Steering the Council in a more modern, democratic direction;
2. Creating jobs by revitalising the economy with community friendly and sustainable town planning and support for farmers;
3. Opposing coal seam gas mining in the Shire and protecting the health of the waterways;
4. Urgent action for Tweed’s internationally significant environment in biodiversity crisis, with the highest number of threatened species in Australia and the last estimated 144 Tweed coastal koalas.
“If we can achieve a progressive Council, we will seek to protect the lifestyle of Tweed residents, and invigorate the economy, by promoting this shire as an internationally significant environment and the ideal place to set up sustainable enterprises,” Cr Milne said.
