We asked each Lord Mayoral candidate to respond on behalf of their team to three questions raised by our readers. One non-aligned independent candidate standing for councillor was also given the opportunity to respond.
For the first time it is compulsory for business and property owners within the City of Sydney to vote. A total of 22,972 non-residential voters were verified by the NSW Electoral Commission as eligible to vote at the 2016 City of Sydney election.
- PROGRESS — What do you and your team want the Council to achieve in the coming term and what programs and services need to be reassessed?
The Greens’ polices are underpinned by four principles: ecological sustainability; social equality and economic justice; grassroots democracy; and peace, non-violence and disarmament.
Our ambitious vision for Sydney begins with better options for homeless people and homelessness reduced. We propose that the top of all council depots be converted into facilities and housing for the homeless. We would also look to offer women-only housing.
We want the affordable component of all developments doubled to 14 per cent and an audit of all council-owned properties to ascertain which would be suitable for affordable housing. We also want an audit of all vacant properties in the LGA. If after six months these properties have not been leased or sold, we would double the rates.
We would recognise same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions and provide safe aged-care facilities for people from rainbow communities.
We would build dedicated cycleways that interconnect across the city, create more open space and provide facilities for young people including more skate parks and sporting facilities.
We want to substantially increase the number of women’s refuges and protect women from harassment outside reproductive health clinics.
We want to revive Sydney’s live music scene by providing grants to live music venues and bands, and exempt small bars and music venues from lock-out laws.
- COMMUNITY INPUT — How do you propose to ensure broad community input into Council’s planning, programs and service provision?
Grassroots democracy drives the decision-making processes of our party. Our Greens Councillors will engage with the community affected by, and near to, every major development. The Greens’ view is that the community should decide the type of development rather than some external bureaucrat who may be influenced by outside forces. We will also work with the small business community and assist them to establish Business Improvement Districts.
- ADVOCACY — Given that the decisions of the state government will have big impacts on local communities in the City of Sydney, what issues and role do you see Council playing in advocating for the inner-city community?
Greens on Council work closely with our State and Federal MPs to hold the State Government to account and apply pressure to overturn destructive policies. We support constitutional recognition of local government to protect Sydney from interference by the State Government.
Greens will maintain our strong links with community advocates in Sydney and support these groups in their opposition to Casino Mike’s policies, which will destroy what makes Sydney the place we love to live in. Where appropriate, we will provide Council resources for public enquiries into State Government decisions.
We will resist the existing State proposals for the Central to Eveleigh and Waterloo proposed redevelopments and the Wentworth Park site.
