Three locals will set out to paint the town green at this year’s City of Parramatta Council Election.
The Parramatta Greens have selected the first three of their lead candidates for the Local Government Election, which will fall on September 4.
Councillor Phil Bradley will re-contest for the Parramatta Ward, with Franceska Strano to run for Rosehill and Greg Edwards for North Rocks.
Parramatta Greens co-convenors, Judy Greenwood and Ernest Jilg announced the trio put forward last week and said environment, heritage and the fight against overdevelopment would be at the forefront of their campaigns.
The Greens Councillor team have pledged to focus on ways to combat increasing extreme heat by supporting initiatives such as the expansion of jobs in the clean solar energy industry, increased use of electric vehicles and bicycles, waste minimisation and buildings that meet high environmental standards.
They also noted the importance of promoting the Parramatta area as an iconic centre of heritage, arts, and cultural significance.
Cr Bradley, who has also run several times as the Greens State and Federal candidate for Parramatta, said having more than one Greens Councillor elected would allow them to act more effectively in delivering their mission.
“I will continue to oppose overdevelopment and promote better planning with an emphasis on community consultation and protection of Parramatta’s outstanding Aboriginal, multicultural, natural and built heritage,” he said.
Ms Strano is an experienced civil engineer, who has a strong focus on sustainable development.
She said qualified infrastructure and affordable childcare were two issues she was particularly passionate about.
“This Council election presents an opportunity to vote for Greens candidates, who will work with locals for high environmental sustainability, action against global warming and to support communities, not developers,” she said.
Mr Edwards is a teacher and horticulturist with a keen interest in improving local strategic planning with a ‘garden city’ vision.
“I am focused on the long-term changes we need and want to protect what is great about our community and make our society fair, liveable and sustainable,” he said.
In NSW, Local Government Elections are generally held every four years.
The Minister for Local Government postponed the 2020 Local Government Elections by 12 months as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Pre-poll for this year’s election is expected to open on Monday, August 23 with postal votes open until Monday, August 30.
Election day on September 4 will see in-person voting between 8am and 6pm.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.