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Local government plays a huge role in protecting and preserving the environment, and The City of Onkaparinga has a strong tradition of introducing positive measures and initiatives based on environmental and sustainability issues.
For that reason, a number of local environmental and community groups have contacted all the candidates standing for Mayor of Onkaparinga City, as well as those standing in the Southern Vales and South Coast Wards, to offer them the opportunity to introduce themselves to our collective membership, and to let us know where they stand on a number of key environmental issues in the City of Onkaparinga.
Each candidate was given the same ten questions to answer. Here are the responses of Beth Rex, Candidate for South Coast Ward
10 Questions Council Election
- Where do you live? What attracted you to where you live?
Seaford Rise. I love the Seaside atmosphere and have always lived by the coast.
- What’s your political background?
I am not a member of any political party and I will not be lobbying for any particular group but can be impartial to requests for grants.
- To which community groups or associations do you belong?
I am not a member of any community group or association. I am not a lobbyist with an agenda.
- If elected, what will be your priorities?
For affordable development, healthy communities, preservation of our natural environment, policies that will see our communities grow in a sustainable manner and an open and honest Council with leadership accountable to the residents.
These are some of my passions:
- Review the coming rate rises.
- Reduce Council debt
- Work towards a clean environment free from toxins and pesticides.
- Clean food production
- Promote green parks for families
- Protect wildlife environments
- Encourage small business
- Embrace Community Programs
- Encourage Council to inform the community in matters relating to them
- Encourage better communication between Council and the community
- What are your policies regarding the environment and biodiversity?
- Work towards a clean environment free from toxins and pesticides.
- Promote green parks for families
- Protect wildlife environments
Council has existing policies concerning the above and I welcome any suggestions from the community as to how they could be improved. It’s not what I think, but what the community thinks.
- Do you think the City of Onkaparinga should re-visit declaring a Climate Emergency?
No
- How can Council accelerate decarbonisation within the community?
State and Federal Governments have Policies around these issues. Most people I talk to can’t afford electric cars, nor is there the infrastructure for them. We need to be careful not to marginalise sections of the community who can’t afford these expensive changes to green energy. Our local Council needs to be taking care of the community’s needs which are many and varied and not just about decarbonisation.
- How would you make Onkaparinga a better place to live with less resource consumption?
The State Government has had many incentives for solar energy.
More awareness programs to educate the community in overuse of electricity and gas.
- How would you aim to influence Elected Members to be effective decision makers?
I am not Nominating for Mayor
- Do you have ideas for championing improvements in the energy efficiency and lower resource footprints of new and retrofit development, both domestic and commercial?
There could be consultation with builders as to what materials they are using in the new homes which might encourage people building in the area to use materials which would cut down on energy use which would be more efficient but this is not my area of expertise.
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