Jamie Dixon has been in this position before, but the shearer turned psychologist-in-training says times have changed and he’s ready for another tilt at politics.

Mr Dixon will contest the November 24 Wollongong City Council Ward 3 byelection for the Greens.

Mr Dixon polled strongly and hopes to go one better this time – in a byelection, sparked by the resignation of Labor councillor Chris Connor, which the Liberal party won’t contest. 

“I think there’s a lot more green focus, we can bring our issues to the fore without it being clouded by other issues,” he said.

“I think it’s a great chance for us to increase our engagement with the community and to show what we can actually do for the people of southern Wollongong.”

Mr Dixon has spent the past 15 years shearing alpacas in eight countries – a job he said had given him a “fantastic opportunity” to see different government models around the world.

He is now transitioning away from shearing and doing a psychology degree.

Mr Dixon listed renewable energy and affordable housing among his priorities, along with reducing the impact of gambling on the community.

“There’s a lot of vulnerable people in southern Wollongong and I think we need to take that out of the equation,” he said.

“Make nightlife more about bands and singers, and having fun with friends, rather than sitting alone in front of a poker machine.”

Mr Dixon will take on Labor’s Ann Martin, a former councillor. No other contenders have come forward, at this stage.

Suburbs in Ward 3 include Windang, Port Kembla, Unanderra, Berkeley, Yallah and Dapto, as well as parts of Figtree and West Wollongong.

Cr Connor remains a councillor until the end of the month.

Read more: Wollongong council by-election could cost ratepayers $300,000, lord mayor says

What Jamie Dixon says about his priorities 

Renewable energy 

“Obviously as a Green, I’m looking at increasing the amount of renewable energy ... making solar energy more affordable and more available to householders, so we can include that instead of looking at a liquid natural gas import or a second Tallawarra power station.”

Reducing the impact of gambling on community

“There’s a lot of vulnerable people in southern Wollongong and I think we need to take that out of the equation.

“Make nightlife more about bands and singers, and having fun with friends, rather than sitting alone in front of a poker machine.”

Affordable housing

“There’s a lot of housing development down in my area and very little of it is actually accessible to the average ratepayer.”