Climate activist Cooper Riach heads Greens in Heathcote

The Greens are quietly optimistic about the southern Sydney and northern Illawarra seat of Heathcote, with pollies framing it as one the upcoming election’s hottest contests.

Cooper Riach was unveiled as the Greens’ candidate in Heathcote on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied

Climate activist Cooper Riach has been unveiled as the Greens’ candidate in the remapped seat of Heathcote, which shapes as a key seat in the upcoming state election.

Mr Riach has called Bundeena, on the northern fringe of the Royal National Park, home since 2014, with the 22-year-old a vocal activist against coal mining in the region.

The UNSW Bachelor of Science alumnus said he would be championing “small-scale community projects” that help the Greens’ goals of addressing “climate crisis and the cost of living crisis”.

“The climate crisis and the cost of living crisis are two things young people are very passionate about that will affect our futures and our children's futures,” Mr Riach told NewsLocal.

“These issues are being completely ignored, especially in a time that is so critical with our scientists saying we're in the ‘critical decade’ for climate action. We are essentially condemning our future through inaction.

“I would love to see implemented in Heathcote small-scale community projects which address both these issues under an umbrella. Projects like solar batteries which cut power bills and help reduce consumption of fossil fuels.”

Heathcote has been held by seasoned Liberal Lee Evans since 2011, however, a redrawing of the electoral map after 2019 has seen the Sydney suburbs of Menai and Bangor cut out in favour of the northern Illawarra suburbs of Coledale through to Bulli.

The seat of Heathcote was redrawn after the 2019 election. Picture: NSW Election Commission

The new Heathcote boundaries has seen the seat become a notional Labor seat with the layout similar to pre 2015 also a boost for the Greens who recorded 21 and 16 per cent of the primary vote in the 2007 and 2011 elections respectively.

Mr Riach claimed the redistribution and the growing Green vote in the region, seen in recent federal and council elections, would be a significant factor come March 25.

“It's going to completely shake up this election,” Mr Riach said.

“We have seen Lee campaigning for months. He is very clearly concerned now that the seat is marginally Labor.

Liberal Member for Heathcote Lee Evans holds the seat by 7.6 per cent.

“Around the country we have seen the highest Green vote ever. We have beautiful little communities all over Heathcote with high Green votes, including around the Royal National Park where there is a growing urgency around the climate crisis and cost of living.”

Speaking at the launch of Mr Riach’s campaign in Sutherland on Wednesday, sitting Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said Heathcote would be one of the upcoming election’s key contests.

“As voters in one of the state’s most marginal seats at this election, the community in Heathcote has a powerful opportunity to send a message to the major parties,” Ms Faehrmann said.

“A vote for Cooper in Heathcote and a vote for the Greens in the Upper House is a vote for no new coal and gas, to cut rents and make housing more affordable, protect our precious nature and wildlife and clean up corruption in NSW.

“Cooper has proven he is a passionate and capable advocate for the things that matter to his community, and I am so proud to announce him as our candidate for Heathcote.”

Upper House MP Cate Faehrmann and Heathcote candidate Cooper Riach Picture: Supplied

Mr Riach said his party had targets they’re aiming to hit in Heathcote, however, admits edging Mr Evans and Labor candidate Maryanne Stuart would be a challenge.

“It will be tough to win, but we are going to run this campaign as if we are going to win,” he said.

“We do have specific goals in mind, but I am looking to bring more attention to the climate and cost of living crises, and galvanise the community around those issues.

“If I manage to do that, that would be a success in my mind.”

The Greens have also announced four other candidates to contest seats up and down the Illawarra including disability support worker Kit Docker in Keira and Nowra-based restaurateur Brad Stanton in Wollongong.

Long-time Greens campaigner Jamie Dixon will contest Shellharbour while Tonia Gray put her hand up in Kiama, declaring she was running “because more capable women are needed in politics”.