Greens party reveal candidates for 2022 Hobart City Council elections

The Greens have revealed their game plan for the 2022 Hobart City Council elections, with three new candidates to enter the political arena in October.

The Greens have revealed their game plan for the 2022 Hobart City Council elections, with three new candidates to enter the political arena in October.

Shopkeeper Bec Taylor, social worker Nathan Volf, and health researcher Gemma Kitsos will join the campaign trail with the two current Greens councillors Bill Harvey and Helen Burnet.

Their biggest election promises include more bike lanes, supporting the University of Tasmania’s move into the CBD, and more inner city apartments.

Mr Volf works with young people in the northern suburbs, an “immeasurable” number of whom are now languishing on social housing waiting lists.

The 28-year-old said Hobart’s housing crisis was forcing young people out of the city and forcing them elsewhere for affordable living.

“Diversity is decreasing in the city, and I feel that young people are being pushed out,” Mr Volf said.

“We need to make sure that young people are fostered, and that we allow the spaces for young people to be and grow and achieve what they want to achieve.”

ELECTION TIME: Greens candidates for the 2022 Hobart City Council elections Gemma Kitsos, Helen Burnet, Bec Taylor, Nathan Volf, and Bill Harvey. Picture: Kenji Sato

Gemma Kitsos researches stroke and cardiovascular diseases at the Menzies Institute, and she wants more people cycle to work for their health as well as the environment.

She’s also a big fan of e-scooters and wants to see more interconnected cycleways so that more people are on bikes and scooters, and fewer people are in cars.

“As a health professional I can see that we need a way to encourage people to change their lifestyle to benefit their own health and also to reduce the burden on our healthcare system,” she said.

“With the university moving into the city, I think this is another key opportunity for making sure that people don’t get into cars when they don’t need to.”

Ms Taylor runs the vintage clothes store The Finders on Harrington Street, does social work with at-risk communities, and coaches transgender children.

ELECTION TIME: Greens candidates for the 2022 Hobart City Council elections Nathan Volf, Helen Burnet, Bec Taylor, Gemma Kitsos, and Bill Harvey. Picture: Kenji Sato.

She is also “positive” about UTAS moving into the inner city, a move which has sparked fierce criticism from other business owners in the area.

Ms Taylor said the Liberal Government and their “broken promises” was what was really hurting local businesses.

“I really think there needs to be more focus on retail, and how council can support retail to recover not just from Covid but the impacts of building and changes the city has had,” she said.

Cr Helen Burnet said the Greens had been on council for 21 years and during that time had spearheaded some eco-friendly initiatives such as the ban on single-use plastics.

“It’s been a great benefit over those years to see those important things such as zero waste to landfill, declaring a climate change emergency, and advocating for better housing in Hobart,” she said.

Cr Harvey said he hoped to support UTAS to create a “car-free” precinct where people opt instead for greener alternatives such as bikes and e-scooters.

“There’s already a number of fantastic world class facilities that the university has established in the city, and that will continue over the next 10 years now,” Cr Harvey said.

“I’m hopeful that the city of Hobart can ensure that those projects, as they’re rolled out, are world leading projects.”

[e-mail]