More from the GLG

In Australia, the Federal and NSW governments seem determined to make participatory politics as difficult and unattractive as possible. Environment, health, education, housing, employment – everything is a ‘political’ issue and these governments – by trying to silence environmental protection groups and organisations like GetUp! – are muzzling free speech. Unless it’s right-wing and racist!

Governments like the Coalition seem to be liberalising everything that makes money for their well-to-do friends and supporters while running down all the services and facilities which might help disadvantaged people have decent life. These governments are relaxing the rules so that profit making won’t be curbed by regulation and ‘red tape’ – of the kind that protects the environment, workers and consumers.

Here in NSW the appalling actions of our conservative state government speak much louder than their soothing rhetoric. At every opportunity, they are selling off taxpayer funded and owned assets, returning hardly any of the proceeds to ‘the people’. They show no interest in social justice or environmental responsibility. They are certainly not giving consideration to the real and pressing needs of rural and regional areas.

Why we need governments which seem to exist only divest themselves of any responsibility is a great puzzle. What are the current government members being paid for exactly except as liquidators of public assets?

Although many Sydney residents don’t agree with state government spending priorities, the metropolitan area seems to have become the place where a huge part of state raised tax pours out to fund items like stadiums and freeway subsidies. Massively expensive road builds disrupt public life and destroy public assets while many decisions (viz new trains) made by this government seem either intended to fail or be inexplicable to the reasonable person. They aren’t even economically rational!

Meanwhile, out in the regions, we are crying out for the basics such as hospitals, education, renewable and sustainable energy and employment opportunities and many of our roads and bridges are in a dangerous state of disrepair. Public transport is almost non-existent and public housing is totally inadequate – as it is across the whole state.

The Greens are working locally and at State level to hold Coalition and Labor politicians to account for their actions and their posturing. We do not feel that local National Party MPs, or even ‘independent’ Councillors, are in touch with the real needs of their constituents. Nor do they represent their electorates on significant issues. Complacency that comes from taking the voters for granted in ‘safe’ blue ribbon seats seems to dull perception.

We are extremely concerned about the massive amounts of land clearing currently going unchecked on the coastal ranges. Timber harvesting in these places has caused significant damage to high ground. We are shocked at the squandering of local resources that need to be carefully and properly managed by experts. Runoff from clearing and widespread development has caused silting of local water courses and the destruction of habitats where life that depends on air, land and water quality and diversity.

The clear- felling regime of logging and timber ‘management’ by NSW Forestry is unsustainable, creates very little employment and destroys valuable ecosystems. Gone are the days when individual trees were taken and damage was limited. Even residential blocks are usually clear felled. Why?

We are extremely concerned about inappropriate, careless and harmful development in our region. Development is not all bad and some of it is necessary for humans and other creatures: when properly designed and created it can be a real asset. We notice, however, that the Midcoast area is increasingly attracting the wrong kind of development. By amalgamating councils, the NSW government has eased the way for developers to bulldoze through red tape – and also through the places that we love!

It is important that our local councillors are made aware of the needs and concerns of the local communities who don’t want acres of green replaced with acres of concrete and the resulting heat, destruction of vegetation and overcrowding.

We are concerned with a raft of local social justice issues, including homelessness in our community, lack of adequate refuges and help for domestic violence victims, the destruction of our local TAFE colleges, lack of community and affordable housing, services and especially access to justice for our Indigenous residents, community cohesion, and legal aid for those who need it. Soil erosion and leaching, water and air pollution and a lack of up-to-date waste management are major concerns.

Where is access to community and affordable health – especially mental health – in our region?

Why is public transport so mean and miserable in our region?

Where is the incentive for buildings to be designed with renewable energy and architectural and design practicalities and benefits?

Where is the initiative to learn how things could be done in better and more sustainable ways?

We believe that together we can achieve a more compassionate and considerate society, caring for everyone and for our beautiful, unique and essential environment.

Please join us in grassroots democracy, pursuing our quest for social justice, environmental protection and economics that serve us all equitably here on the North Coast.

We need your ideas, expertise and passion!