Bendigo high school French teacher Rosemary Glaisher was announced as the party’s candidate on Wednesday to contest the seat of Bendigo at next year’s federal election.

Ms Glaisher, who has taught French at Girton Grammar School for 15 years, said she wanted to make climate change front and centre of the policy debate in central Victoria.

“It doesn’t matter where you live, climate change is a big issue,” she said.

“We’re already suffering more intense heat waves and dry spells, and here in central Victoria we are particularly at risk.

“I’m very proud of the Greens’ Renew Australia policy announced on the weekend.”

The policy sets out a pathway for Australia to be powered by 90 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

Solar PV and wind would fill the bulk of the change, with hydro, biomass, solar thermal, geothermal and limited amounts of fossil fuels making up the difference.

Batteries and electric vehicles could also play into the mix, with plans for a government agency known as Renew Australia.

Ms Glaisher said the plan could be a big win for Bendigo industries.

“We have a strong manufacturing base in Bendigo so there’s potential for it to be strengthened further,” she said.

“The electorate is perfectly placed – particularly the southern parts of the electorate – to make the most of sun and wind energy.

“There are a number of cities, states and regions in the US, Europe and around the world that have gone 100 per cent renewable. I think we are perfectly placed for that here too.”

The Greens candidate is the first to officially throw her hat in the ring to contest the seat against sitting Labor MP Lisa Chesters.

The Liberal Party had extended its deadline for preselection candidates in Bendigo.

City of Greater Bendigo councillor Elise Chapman also met with One Nation founder Pauline Hanson in Bendigo recently, who said she had offered Ms Chapman a spot on the party’s senate ticket.

Ms Glaisher said she hoped the mosque debate did not overshadow other issues important to central Victoria.

“I hope we eventually see it built so that Muslim people in Bendigo have a place to worship of their own, and once its built those who opposed it can see that the sky isn’t going to fall in,” she said.

“We’ve had Muslims here since the gold rush era, a lot of people’s GPs or surgeons are likely to be Muslim too.

“They deserve a place as much as anyone else.”

The federal election is likely to take place some time after September next year.