2017 Blacktown Council by-election: Greens field candidate

GREENS candidate Chris Winslow is eager to bring a “fresh approach” to Blacktown Council as he prepares for the ward 2 by-election.

Chris Winslow hopes to make history by being elected to ward two.

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GREENS candidate Chris Winslow is eager to bring a “fresh approach” to Blacktown Council as he prepares for the ward 2 by-election.

The Liberals have made the shock decision to not put forth a candidate.

Glenwood resident Mr Winslow, who ran in the local government election in September, said it was time residents elected a candidate who would introduce policies which would fix 21st century problems.

If elected, Mr Winslow would be the only Greens councillor on Blacktown Council, a change he said was necessary for the council to continue to move forward.

Chris Winslow was a federal candidate for Greenway last year.

“I’ve always believed the people from western Sydney have the most to gain from Greens policies and have the most to lose from not having Greens policies,” he said.

Mr Winslow said it was time for residents to look beyond the perception that the Greens were a party from the inner city.

“People have to realise by voting Green it sends a really clear symbol … by voting Green you’re sending a very strong signal to the State Government,’’ he said.

Addressing high electricity bills after Blacktown suffered one of the hottest summers on record was one issue Mr Winslow wished to address if elected.

“Blacktown needs a plan to beat the heat … we want to have energy audits, more insulation, tinting on windows, solar panels on the roof, we need more trees in the streets, we need a total urban design,’’ he said.

Mr Winslow was previously the president of the Glenwood Community Association and is now its treasurer.

The association aims to improve the amenity of Glenwood and has been successful in conducting some changes such as timers on field lights at the Alwyn Lindfield reserve, to prevent them being left on all night.

Kittu Randhawa will run as an independent.

Labor hopeful Kevin Gillies.

Mr Winslow will be against Labor’s Kevin Gillies, Australia First Party candidate Cassie Orrock, and independent candidate Kittu Randhawa.