AFTER months of speculation the Noosa and Hinterland Greens have endorsed a member to run in the Noosa Council elections next year, a move that could see Noosa elect Queensland’s first Green councillor to local government.
Kin Kin local Aaron White said it was a good match as the Noosa Greens’ core principals of ecological sustainability, grass roots democracy, social justice, non-violence and economic sustainability “align perfectly with Noosa’s progressive forward-thinking council”.
Mr White said the Greens were the “only political party in a position to support and further Noosa’s sustainability and conservation objectives”.
“The State Labor Government is proposing shortened public consultation timeframes for development applications and local government planning amendments. The Noosa community needs to send a clear message to the Labor Government that the Noosa plan is off limits,” Mr White said.
Mr White said he had more than just green credentials, with more than a decade of experience advocating for the protection of the Noosa planning scheme, campaigning for de-amalgamation, inappropriate developments, and climate change, to name a few.
As a long-term local resident with a background in small business, horticulture, tourism and forestry, Mr White said he believed as a Green politician he was well-placed to represent the people of the Noosa community.
“I have lived, worked and raised our family in the Noosa Shire for the last 17 years,” he said.
“My partner Kim Luff is a fifth generation Noosa local. Together we have campaigned against over-development of the hinterland and fought to oppose council amalgamation.
“My aim is to protect our Noosa plan and provide sustainable ecological and economic prosperity for future generations of Noosa locals.”
Mr White said he would focus his campaign around six key issues; protecting the Noosa Plan; responding to climate change; diversifying the economy; attracting green technologies, education and research; keeping rates down and defending Noosa’s natural assets.
Looking to the future, Mr White said he fully supported council’s carbon reduction and energy efficiency plan and would push for Noosa to become the most sustainable and environmentally progressive region in Australia.
“By balancing our carbon emissions with renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, Noosa can become a carbon neutral economy by 2025,” he said.
