Our Sustainable Future announce Lismore council ticket

NORTHERN Rivers based local government party Our Sustainable Future have announced their ticket for the upcoming Lismore City Council elections.

Elly Bird is the lead candidate on the Our Sustainable Future ticket for the upcoming Lismore City Council elections. Photo Doug Eaton / Northern Star. Picture: Doug Eaton

NORTHERN Rivers based local government party Our Sustainable Future have announced their ticket for the upcoming Lismore City Council elections.

The lead candidate is Elly Bird, regional coordinator with Gasfield Free Northern Rivers.

The second candidate on the ticket is Guy Stewart, chair of the Rainbow power company, active at the Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre and in many of Nimbin's community sustainability projects.

Also on the ticket are Simon Clough, current councillor; Louise Somerville, with 28 years experience working for local government; Annie Kia, architect of the successful gasfield free communities strategy and Robyn Kelly, coordinator of the The Channon Markets.

"I'm proud to be leading such a strong ticket, each and every person on our ticket has shown beyond doubt how committed we are to protecting our community and improving the quality of life for the people who live here," Ms Bird said.

"Our Sustainable Future is a small, local government only party, we are not aligned to any other party.

"If elected to council we will work hard to ensure our economy, our environment and our community are equally protected and provided for.

"Lismore is an extraordinary community.

"We have an opportunity to channel the community power we have built fighting CSG into a sustainable future we can be proud of.

"Water security, extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change are pressing issues, and we need legislative protection of our region from gasfields.

"I believe Council should exercise strong leadership to help our community face these challenges.

"I'm hearing very clearly from the community that the affordable housing is one of the most pressing concerns for people in our region.

"I am determined to see the new council do what we can to ease the pressure being felt by so many.

"I'm excited about advancing Lismore as an arts and cultural centre, the cultural precinct will be a great asset for our community.

"I also want to progress the Lismore Park development near Lismore square, providing a much needed community recreational space with a water park, close to public transport and to the CBD.

"With so many councillors leaving or retiring this year it is critical that Lismore retain a progressive council to keep the momentum that the current council has built.

"There is an impressive amount of development happening and innovative, exciting work being done with renewable energy projects like farming the sun.

"If we lose our progressive council, these projects will be at risk.

"Some current councillors have made it crystal clear they are not supportive of the solar projects or the art gallery.

"It is critical that Lismore City council continues to consult with and work alongside our community so that Lismore can become an even better place to live in the coming years."