Launching his campaign for the 2023 NSW election, Greens Candidate for Heathcote Cooper Riach called for urgent action on climate change, calling for creative small-scale solutions such as community battery projects and drastically improving local active and public transport.

Cooper, 22, from Bundeena, said that if elected in March 2023 he will work with Greens MPs in the Parliament to focus on these bold, community-based solutions to the climate crisis. 

“There is no excuse for the NSW Liberals' inaction on climate change,” Cooper said. 

“Every action that can be made now will have immediate benefits for everyone in NSW, from reducing the effects of floods and bushfires to helping with the cost of living. 

“Fossil fuels are fueling the crisis and we need to remind ourselves that even 1.5° warming of our atmosphere will have devastating consequences for households in the Heathcote electorate.

“We already have the knowledge, the technology, and the physical means to address this crisis - we simply need the political will to act.

“We should start with installing community batteries in suburbs such as Sutherland, Woronora, Engadine, Thirroul, or Helensburgh, to allow all households and apartments access to the cost savings and benefits of energy from photovoltaic cells. 

“Making public transport easier and cheaper provides a viable alternative to car dependency as fuel prices surge.

“If elected, I will work with the new government and my fellow Greens Members of Parliament on an extensive climate action plan with community needs at the forefront,” Cooper said.

Greens Lead Upper House candidate Cate Faehrmann MP joined Cooper in Sutherland today and said:

“As voters in one of the state’s most marginal seats at this election, the community in Heathcote has a powerful opportunity to send a message to the major parties that the time to act on the climate emergency is now. 

“A vote for Cooper in Heathcote and a vote for the Greens in the Upper House is a vote for no new coal and gas, to cut rents and make housing more affordable, protect our precious nature and wildlife and clean up corruption in NSW. 

“Cooper has proven he is a passionate and capable advocate for the things that matter to his community and I am so proud to announce him as our candidate for Heathcote,” said Ms Faehrmann. 

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