Greens candidate for Lord Mayor and Ward 1 Jess Whittaker welcomed the unique opportunity to elect progressive leaders who are committed to their community, action on the climate crisis and tackling the cost of housing.

“Wollongong citizens have a great opportunity now to have a progressive and energetic Council where we work for the benefit of our local people in their villages in the city,” Jess said.

“Myself and my Greens lead candidates, Kit Docker in Ward 2 and Deidre Stuart in Ward 3 will always listen to local people and look for solutions to some of the issues that they might have.

“Our campaign has been going from strength to strength and we are now hopeful of having Councillors who represent their local communities. A more progressive Council is one led by more people ready to turn up for their community. We will keep Wollongong moving with fresh green ideas for more active transport options like footpaths and bicycle paths, affordable housing opportunities and great community spaces for young people.

“The Greens are always motivated to get out and talk to voters in the final four weeks of the campaign. Deidre Stuart could potentially make history as the first Green councillor elected to Ward 3, Kit Docker (Ward 2) would be one of the only young renters ever elected to Council and Martin Cubby (Ward 1) brings a wealth of experience from the union movement and as an active climate campaigner. The people of Wollongong can be assured they have passionate community-minded people who have nominated and are ready to step up and represent them in this next council.”

Dr Amanda Cohn, Greens NSW spokesperson for Local Government and former Deputy Mayor of Albury Council: “Communities across NSW can be reassured that all 376 Greens local government candidates and 22 Mayoral candidates got their paperwork in. There are excellent candidates to vote for on 14 September.

“This has only strengthened opportunities for local Greens right across NSW to invigorate local democracy and drive local leadership on housing affordability, the cost of living, and climate action.

“This moment in local government history underscores how dedicated the Greens are to grassroots democracy and genuine community engagement, compared to those they’ll be running against. Across NSW, local Greens are ready as ever to step up and fill whatever voids have been left.”