FORMER federal Greens candidate Rosemary Glaisher says social justice and environmental sustainability will be key planks of her council election campaign.
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The 58-year-old teacher has announced she will be a candidate for the City of Greater Bendigo council in the ward of Eppalock when voters go to the polls on October 22.
Buoyed by her experience at the federal election, in which she polled 11 per cent of the vote to finish third, Ms Glaisher said she wanted to continue advocating for residents.
“I actually really enjoyed the federal campaign, although it was really demanding, because I learnt a lot more about my city,” she said.
“I learnt about a lot of issues that people are not happy with, but also many interesting plans that they want to see make Bendigo better.”
Ms Glaisher, who relocated to the region about 23 years ago and raised her family in Axedale before moving to Golden Square, said she was standing as an endorsed Greens candidate.
“It’s a requirement for the Greens that if you are a Greens member, you have to be endorsed,” she said.
“I think that’s important because if you have political allegiances, the voters have a right to know that.”
Ms Glaisher said the City of Greater of Bendigo had an important role to play in matters of both social justice and environmental sustainability.
“For example, there is great scope for local job creation in renewable energy and other sustainable industries,” she said.
“Urban planning and housing development can and must take into account not just our changing conditions, but the potential for improving people’s lives through clever design and strong community focus.
“Bendigo has lots of creative people floating exciting ideas and there are inspiring examples of sustainable development both here and overseas that could inform the direction we take.”
The mother-of-two said ensuring Bendigo’s younger residents were represented on the council and supported through policy was a priority.
“As a schoolteacher and a parent, I am determined to try to help build the sort of society that will allow our young people to flourish into the future,” she said.
“Engaging our young people and enabling them to feel invested in helping to create the Bendigo of the future will be a vital part of this.”