The Victorian Greens have 18 elected representatives in local government.
Below is an overview of media coverage of Greens at local government level. If you would like to interview them or get a statement on a local issue, you can find their details here.
Greens call for expanded bowel cancer screening program
Tue, 2012-02-21 14:13 — chris.maltby
Greens' spokesperson for health, Senator Richard Di Natale, is calling on the Government to fund the expansion of Australia's bowel cancer screening program as recommended by the Cancer Council in its pre-budget submission.
"Evidence shows that Australia's National Bowel Screening Program has been very successful in earlier diagnosis of disease, which leads to a better prognosis for patients and reduced costs on the health system.
Stephen Hart elected Mayor of Colac Otway Shire Council
Thu, 2011-12-15 23:00 — chris.maltby
Greens' councillor Stephen Hart was elected unopposed as mayor of the Colac Otway Shire Council and will serve as mayor until the next council election in October 2012. He says planning for growth will be one of the challenges for the council during his first term.
Cr Hart said improved public transport connections between Colac and Geelong, finalising the shire’s rural living strategy to protect prime farmland but allow building on small blocks and supporting library services and education were priorities. He also wants to see work start on Colac’s new trade training centre next year and he would continue to lobby for a major upgrade of Colac’s Central Reserve.
"Another slug" for people in the east: Cr Samantha Dunn
Mon, 2011-12-12 23:00 — chris.maltby
Cr Dunn says the recently announced public transport fare increases, which will see a daily zone 1 & 2 ticket increase from $11 to 11.90, was “another slug” for people in the outer eastern suburbs.
Eastern transport users were paying more to use the roads and the rail.
“We aren’t a transport-rich community but we certainly pay more than our fair share,” she said.
Cr Dunn said more people were using public transport, so revenues were already up.
Restriction on feeding cockatoos welcomed: Cr Samantha Dunn
Wed, 2011-12-07 08:52 — chris.maltbyCr Samantha Dunn has welcomed restrictions on cockatoo feeding proposed by Yarra Ranges City Council
“Cockatoos continue to be quite a big problem in the Dandenongs, and there are still people who are having their homes chewed.”
Cr Samantha Dunn concerned over new planning rules
Tue, 2011-11-29 23:00 — chris.maltbyYarra Ranges councillors Samantha Dunn and Noel Cliff both expressed concerns about new planning rules allowing hills residents to clear even more extra native vegetation from their blocks.
The new planning controls implemented on November 18 include a new 10/50 rule to enable landowners in areas of high bushfire risk to create more defendable space around their homes without needing a permit.
Yarra Council won’t appeal to the Supreme Court: Alison Clarke
Tue, 2011-11-29 23:00 — chris.maltby
Yarra Council won’t appeal to the Supreme Court against VCAT’s approval of a 10-storey development on the heritage-listed Dimmeys site.
At an urgent meeting last night, Council decided instead to allocate $20,000 to support the Save Dimmeys group if it decides to run a community campaign against the Cremorne development.
Proper processes to be in place: Cr Samantha Dunn
Mon, 2011-11-28 23:00 — chris.maltbyCr Samantha Dunn said she would look into the reasoning and process behind a pre-emptive email sent to the state planning department on a possible extension to the council's urban growth boundary submission.
Yarra Ranges director of planning Andrew Paxton sent an email to the department on November 14 - a week before councillors discussed the matter and resolved to send a formal letter requesting the extension.
Cr Dunn said the pre-emptive email had not been discussed by councillors and that she would ensure "proper processes were in place".
Cr Samantha Dunn: lack of maternal child health services in the Yarra Ranges is an issue
Mon, 2011-11-28 23:00 — chris.maltbyCr Samantha Dunn said a lack of maternal child health services in the Yarra Ranges continued to be an issue, but encouraged mothers to seek assistance from what was available.
Trent McCarthy nominated for human rights award
Fri, 2011-11-25 23:00 — chris.maltby
Trent McCarthy, Greens councillor in Darebin, has been shortlisted for a human rights award.
Cr McCarthy, who developed the Bail Out event with Whitelion in 2006, said it was born out of wanting the successful and powerful to walk in the shoes of young offenders. The Whitelion Bail Out in 2006, which raises money for Whitelion’s work with young offenders by recreating the experience of being locked up, provides important fundraising for Whitelion's work but additionally helps to educate people about young offenders.
Locals choose water to power town
Fri, 2011-11-25 07:39 — chris.maltbyA number of local groups make plans to increase the Yarra Ranges' use of renewable energy, including one group keen to see the council's operations entirely powered by solar.