I am the Greens lead candidate in Ward 1, and also the Greens mayoral candidate. I was first elected as a councillor for Ward 1 in 2017, and I am proud of how much we have been able to achieve since then: more footpaths, more shade trees, and local solutions to climate change. I want to see a vibrant and sustainable city, where everyone feels welcome.

I am a musician and environmental educator with a passion for environment and community. I have nearly 20 years experience managing innovative sustainability projects and working in public administration, including in local government and the NSW Parliament.

I grew up on the south coast, attending Bomaderry High School and Wollongong University. I now live with my family in Corrimal, am a mum of two kids and in my spare time I play soccer.

Interact with Mithra on Facebook.

Meet the full team of Greens candidates in the Wollongong Council Election.

Ward 1

L to R: Stephen Young, Mithra Cox, Bronwyn Batten, Martin Cubby

Mithra Cox

I am the Greens lead candidate in Ward 1, and also the Greens mayoral candidate. I was first elected as a councillor for Ward 1 in 2017, and I am proud of how much we have been able to achieve since then: more footpaths, more shade trees, and local solutions to climate change. I want to see a vibrant and sustainable city, where everyone feels welcome.

I am a musician and environmental educator with a passion for environment and community. I have nearly 20 years experience managing innovative sustainability projects and working in public administration, including in local government and the NSW Parliament.

I grew up on the south coast, attending Bomaderry High School and Wollongong University. I now live with my family in Corrimal, am a mum of two kids and in my spare time I play soccer.

Interact with Mithra on Facebook

Bronwyn Batten 

For the bulk of my career I have worked in various policy roles for the NSW Government. I am also a qualified secondary teacher and actively volunteer in our community - I teach primary ethics at Thirroul Public School and regularly volunteer at Sandon Point Park Run. Since moving with my family to Thirroul in 2017, I have been a fierce advocate for quality public transport for the Illawarra. In 2017 I established “Illawarra Rail Fail” which campaigns to get more carriages, more services and faster travel times on the South Coast Line.

Our next council will be crucial to establishing local solutions to reduce our emissions and adapt to a harsher climate. I have completed the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand’s course on climate change adaptation and resilience and am passionate about working towards local solutions for climate change in Wollongong

Interact with Bronwyn on Facebook

Stephen Young

I am retired and live in Thirroul. Solar panels on my roof generate electricity that is stored in a battery and powers both my home and my electric car. I volunteer with SCARF, bushcare, and other environmental activist groups. I love bushwalking, playing tennis, cycling along the coast, and playing LEGO with my grandkids. I want Wollongong Council to continue funding solar panels, supporting electric vehicles, planting trees, making new bike paths, and diverting waste from landfill.

Martin Cubby

I am a full-time union organiser, working with University of Wollongong staff, and live with my young family in Corrimal. I grew up in Sydney and then studied performing arts at the UoW.

I am standing for the Greens because our party has the best economic, social and community-focused policies to tackle inequality and climate change.

Our council, with the right Green leadership must play its part in the transition to clean steel production. We can and must lead the world in the clean jobs revolution.

With more Greens on council we can build on the work of Mithra and Cath and make our great city even better

Ward 2

L to R: Cath Blakey, Harris Cheung, George Takacs, Elena Martinez

Cath Blakey

I have been a councillor for Ward 2 since 2017 and am the Greens lead candidate in Ward 2 in 2020. I had all my education in Wollongong. I have a degree in Environmental Science and have worked in nature conservation, local government, and co-operative business. I live in Coniston with my family and am the mother of a toddler.

I initiated the FOGO scheme, collecting food waste from homes to be made into commercial compost for landscaping and agriculture.

The climate emergency requires local action. We have made a start on having emissions targets, investing in solar panels, switching to energy efficient LED streetlights, and installing public electric vehicle charging stations. We need to cut our reliance on coal fired power.

We need to commit to human scale development that protects Wollongong’s unique beauty and enhances quality of life. We do not want more inappropriate development that removes the visual connection between the escarpment and the ocean.

Our precious coastal lakes and lagoons need greater protection from urban run-off and water pollution.

Interact with Cath on Facebook

Harris Cheung

In 1996, I arrived in Sydney from Hong Kong. After a degree in Arts, I got a job in customer service, and looked forward to a fulfilling life. In my formative years, I had caused my family some anxiety when I got involved in helping students from China to escape after the Tiananmen Square Incident.

It is clear to me that a loving, caring, tolerant and nurturing society is the basis for its people to flourish. A good way to start is to look after the environment and embrace diversity. Those we elect to political office play a major part in achieving this.

Having studied economic theories, I see opportunities for improving economic well-being while we look after the environment and people who are less fortunate. Exercising kindness allows all to flourish.

Wollongong, a place which I have called home for the past 6 years, with its talented people, and resourceful communities, can develop local solutions to become a world class city – clean, vibrant, sustainable, forward-thinking and full of love.

George Takacs

I was a Ward 2 councillor, 2011-2017, and have recently retired from Wollongong University, where I taught physics for over 30 years.  I am currently on the board of two local not for profit organisations, and am passionate about climate action, biodiversity preservation, and active transport. This year is my 25th anniversary as a volunteer bush regenerator.

Elena Martinez

I have worked as an optometrist in Wollongong since 1988, having trained at Melbourne University. I live with my family in Keiraville. Over the years we have made changes to our house and lifestyles to reduce our environmental footprint. This includes solar panels and battery storage which power efficient electric appliances, and an electric bike rather than a car. I propagate native plants, do bush regeneration and teach environmental and bush tucker classes at our local primary school.
As individuals, we can only do so much without political leadership. I have watched our current Greens Councillors, Mithra Cox and Cath Blakey, drive significant changes on Council, like rolling out FOGO, planning better walking and cycling infrastructure and switching our city’s energy plan to 100% renewables. I believe that with more Greens on Council we can build a fairer, more sustainable community.

Ward 3

L to R: Adam James, Malika Reese, Jess Whittaker, Jamie Dixon

Jess Whittaker

I am a paramedic working out of Dapto and I am the Greens lead candidate in Ward 3.

Being a parent and working in front-line health for 11 years has shown me the importance of a strong community and inspired me to help make a difference. I grew up in Bulli and got a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wollongong. I now live in Port Kembla, where I advocate for environmental issues in our area. I was awarded the Rotary Emergency Services Community Award in 2020.

I have organised beach clean ups and tree planting days, am an active member of the school P&C, regularly volunteer with Our Community Project and with the primary ethics program at Port Kembla Public school.

I am impressed by what the Ward 1 and Ward 2 Greens Councillors achieve on council – with leadership in urban greening, safe footpaths and cycle routes, rolling out FOGO, and local solutions to climate change. Ward 3 would also benefit from a Greens councillor who could represent the interests of the southern part of the local government area.

We have passed a great plan for Lake Illawarra – the next thing to do is get the funding to implement the plan.

Interact with Jess on Facebook

Jamie Dixon

I have been fortunate enough to live in the Illawarra since 2003, and over the past 4 years, have campaigned with the Greens at Local State, and Federal elections.

I am active in a local peace forum, as well as the P&C at Dapto Public School, and I run a local bushcare group. All of this has developed from the community connections

My interests include sustainable development, waste management, and affordable housing.

Malika Elizabeth Reese

I came to the Illawarra to study at Wollongong University in 1990 and have lived here ever since. I live in Port Kembla and deeply love the suburb and the community. I think Wollongong is one of the best places on the planet.

I have been an active member of the Wollongong arts community for decades. I am a preschool music teacher, a funeral celebrant, a choir leader, an event organiser, a musician, a writer and a mother.

I have lived in five countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. I have lived in big cities, rural country towns and the suburbs, and experienced many cultures. I welcome diversity.

We need a healthy and thriving city that supports everyone and gives our children a good future.

I would like to see small businesses flourish. I am also particularly interested in helping the vulnerable members of our community so that they feel supported and worthy.

Adam James

I grew up in Shellharbour, attended Smith’s Hill High and moved to Port Kembla in 2009 after some time in Wollongong.

I studied a BInfoTech at the University of Wollongong then an MBA from Charles Sturt University. I am currently a business analyst with experience in health, higher education and local government.

I volunteer as a board member at a local community development organisation and over the past year I have been working with Council and bushcare groups coordinating a grant-funded community tree planting program.

I am passionate about improving everything, particularly amenities in public spaces and the conservation of natural areas. I have young children of my own and I want the next generation to have a bright future. I would love to see a Greens councillor make local government more accessible and relevant to young people in Ward 3.

I have been a councillor for Ward 2 since 2017 and am the Greens lead candidate in Ward 2 in 2020. I had all my education in Wollongong. I have a degree in Environmental Science and have worked in nature conservation, local government, and co-operative business. I live in Coniston with my family and am the mother of a toddler.

I initiated the FOGO scheme, collecting food waste from homes to be made into commercial compost for landscaping and agriculture.

The climate emergency requires local action. We have made a start on having emissions targets, investing in solar panels, switching to energy efficient LED streetlights, and installing public electric vehicle charging stations. We need to cut our reliance on coal fired power.

We need to commit to human scale development that protects Wollongong’s unique beauty and enhances quality of life. We do not want more inappropriate development that removes the visual connection between the escarpment and the ocean.

Our precious coastal lakes and lagoons need greater protection from urban run-off and water pollution.

Interact with Cath on Facebook.

COVID update 24 July 2021

Shelley Hancock, Minister for Local Government has appointed 4 December 2021 as the day on which the ordinary elections for all councils in New South Wales are to be held.

More here

Let's get more Greens elected

The Greens vote goes up at every election -- let's raise it again.

In 2017, Wollongong elected  two Greens councillors in the new council: Mithra Cox in Ward 1 (the northern area) and Cath Blakey in Ward 2 (the central area).  We had two Greens councillors on the previous council too. Over the years, your Greens councillors have already made a difference to Wollongong, with local solutions to make our wonderful city an even better place to live.

Some of our changes are about asking council to lead by example -- Wollongong council is now committed to using energy with care, and to  improving recycling. The Green New Deal is all about new jobs in new industries that protect the environment and care for people.

Our councillors have shown what they care about, that they are have a clear vision and that they are effective. They have been able to work collaboratively and constructively with other Wollongong City Councillors across the political spectrum. Many of the things that matter locally do not have to made into party political issues.

Our campaign

Wollongong elects a lord mayor and 12 councillors. There are 3 wards, each with 4 elected councillors, and we now have Greens councillors in two of them: Wards 1 and 2. This election we hope to get more Greens councillors, including one in Ward 3, and a second in Ward 1. To check which ward you live in, have a look at the Ward Map.

The Greens will run full teams in all three wards -- a balance of young and old, male and female, from a variety of backgrounds. You can offer to help by filling in this form, or donating money here.

We want to hear what you think the Greens should do in the next term of Council. Fill out our brief survey.

We don't accept corporate donations and there is no public funding for local elections. We rely on volunteers and donations from people like you.

Donate Now

We need money to pay for printing flyers, posters and how-to-vote suggestions.

Donate to the Illawarra Greens Wollongong Council election campaign. Your financial support helps us get our great people elected and you can read about them here.

We'd like to highlight our priority candidates in all three wards.

"We will work for local solutions to make our wonderful city an even better place to live."
(Left to right: Mithra, Bronwyn, Cath, Jess)

Ward 1: Mithra Cox, Councillor in Ward 1 since 2017. Mithra is also the Greens mayoral candidate.  Mithra is a musician and environmental educator who has nearly 20 years experience working in public administration, including local government and the NSW Parliament. More about Mithra.

We have a chance of getting two councillors elected in Ward 1. Second on the list is Bronwyn Batten. More about Bronwyn.

Ward 2: Cath Blakey, Councillor in Ward 2 since 2017. Cath has worked in nature conservation, local government, and co-operative business. More about Cath.

Ward 3: Jess Whittaker is a paramedic, and a well-known advocate for environmental issues in Ward 3.  We could get a Greens councillor in Ward 3. More about Jess.

Mayoral candidate: Mithra Cox.

Read more about The Greens Teams in the Wollongong Council Election, 2021. Contact us for information via email [email protected].

For information on this election, and to check that you are registered, go to the Electoral Commission's website.

Your Greens councillors have shown the people of Wollongong what they care about, that they are have a clear vision and that they are effective. They have been able to work collaboratively and constructively with other Wollongong City Councillors across the political spectrum. Many of the things that matter locally do not have to made into party political issues.

One of the jobs of your Greens councillors is to make proposals to council. These are some of the proposals from one of your Greens councillors, Mithra Cox and Cath Blakey, that have been agreed to by council.

Procurement of Electricity from Renewable Sources - 28 June 2021
At Council meeting 28th June Greens Councillors Mithra Cox and Cath Blakey succeeded in adding words to ensure the energy purchased by Wollongong City Council is 100% renewable from the start of the contract - not waiting until 2030, nor building up to it gradually. The motion adopted reads: "Council enter the Binding Agreement for Tender and Resultant contract with Procurement Australia for a NSW Renewable Power Purchase Agreement"

Object to the use of nets as part of the NSW Shark Management Strategy. 19 April 2021
Councillor Cath Blakey moved that  Council make a submission to the NSW Government’s review of the Shark Management Strategy, which currently supports the phasing out of the current shark meshing program and asks that it be replaced it with a combination of alternative shark mitigation strategies (such as drone surveillance, personal shark deterrents, education and SMART drumlines) that more effectively protect beach users without damaging marine wildlife. All councillors agreed.

Object the the Expansion of Russell Vale Mine under the water catchment, 26 October 2020
Councillor Cath Blakey moved that the council should write to the Independent Planning Commission to object to the Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project on the basis of community concerns of increased heavy vehicle traffic, dust, noise, threat to the drinking water catchment. All councillors agreed.

Implement a FOGO scheme across Wollongong, 20 July 2020
Councillor Cath Blakey (29 October 2018) initiated a trial to collect food organics and garden organics and make good quality compost from them. It was a great success and the report presented to council recommended it be rolled out across Wollongong. All councillors agreed.

Draft Climate Change Mitigation Plan to go on public display, 29 June 2020
This plan is part of Wollongong's commitment to do what it can to mitigate climate change. Greens councillors have put a series of proposal forward over the years to advance this (the most recent being on 16 March 2020). The motion to put the plan on display was proposed by Greens Councillor Cox and seconded by Labor Councillor Martin. All councillors agreed.

Draft Cycling Strategy 2030, 29 June 2020
Greens councillors have been calling for better facilities for cyclists for many years. This Draft Strategy shows how it could be done. The motion to put the plan on display was proposed by Greens Councillor Cox and seconded by Liberal Councillor Colacino. All councillors agreed.

Fund live music as part of COVID-19 recovery 11 May 2020
Cr Cox proposed an amendment to the draft budget to ensure that some funds 'City Centre Reactivation Fund'  should be used to stimulate life music and the night time economy. Council agreed.

Get local action on climate change 16 March 2020
Greens Councillors moved an important motion at Council, pledging tangible actions that Council will take to tackle climate change. The motion was unanimously supported, and these initiatives will be embedded in Council operations. This is one of the proposals that gave rise to the Draft Climate Change Mitigation Plan, that went on public display after the council meeting of 20 July 2020.

Make rain gardens 3 February 2020
Councillor Mithra Cox proposed that Wollongong should develop technical guidelines for the development of rain gardens in Wollongong to be used in addition to existing stormwater treatments. Council agreed unanimously.

Thank ABC radio and its staff for their work in the bushfire crisis. 3 February 2020
Councillor Cox proposed an amendment to a Lord Mayoral Minute. The minute expressed appreciation for work in the bushfire crisis. The Lord Mayor agreed to add ABC radio.

Improve the managament of styrofoam waffle pods on building sites 2 September 2019.
Councillor Cath Blakey proposed that council inform the NSW Minister for Better Regulation and the Environment Minister of serious pollution problems caused by inadeqiate management of styrofoam waffle pads especially in high winds. Council agreed unanimously.

Investigating making new buildings energy positive. 2 September 2019
Councillor Mithra Cox moved that council staff provide a report or briefing to councillors, outlining ways to ensure that all new buildings in the city are energy positive. And council agreed unanimously.

Declaring a Climate Emergency 12 August 2019
Greens councillors, Cath Blakey and Mithra Cox, worked with other councillors to cause Wollongong Council to declare a Climate Emergency. Mithra Cox seconded Labor Councillor Ann Martin's motion.

Policy to allow verge gardens 27 May 2019
Greens Councillor Cath Blakey proposed a motion that council recognise that verge gardens can help to beautify streets and develop Verge Garden Guidelines. Passed  unanimously.

Supporting the bid for Wollongong to be a venue for 2023 Women's World Cup football games 18 February 2019
Councillor Mithra Cox brought a motion to support Destination Wollongong in their bid. Council agreed unanimously.

Give a great welcome to refugees: 13 August 2018
Councillor Mithra Cox tabled a motion that the Council affirm that Wollongong is a community that welcomes refugees, that the council should support an expanded and improved Community Sponsorship Program (CSP). All councillors supported this

Extra train carriages for South Coast Line - 23 July 2018
Councillor Cath Blakey presented a motion calling on the state government to upgrade the South Coast rail service, instead of spending extending the F6 motorway. The motion was amended (see minutes, page 6)  by the Labor Councillors to match motorway funding. Extra train carriages for the over-crowded 4 carriage afternoon services were announced on 27th September 2018.

Not supporting a jail at West Dapto 23 July 2018
Councillor Cath Blakey was one of 6 councillors to table a motion that the council should oppose the State Parliament's suggestion that a jail be built at West Dapto. It was passed unanimously.

Getting novelty races back in School Carnivals 25 June 2018
Councillor Mithra Cox's suggestion that novelty races should once again be allowed in school carnivals was unanimously supported by council

Delivering more money for the Green Strategy
We made sure that the amount of money to be spent on the Urban Greening Strategy from $45,000 to $500,000. This budget was ratified on 25 June 2018.

Strengthening compliance for runoff in Lake Illawarra catchment: 3 April 2018
The risk of excessive sediment being released from construction sites was raised from medium to high, which means there will be more inspection.

Find out what can be done to address the housing affordability crisis in Wollongong 3 April 2018
It's urgent to find out what council to do to enable people to afford homes. Councillor Mithra Cox proposed that we look into it. Every member of council agreed that we should.

Find out what Wollongong Coal are doing on council land at Russell Vale 11 December 2017
Council should be briefed on the land use agreement between Wollongong Coal and Wollongong Council at Russell Vale. Are environmental controls in place? Could the Council have liabilities for site remediation if Wollongong Coal went bankrupt? Council agreed that we need to know.

Fly the Rainbow Flag 30 October 2017
The postal survey votes were in, but had not been counted. Councillor Mithra Cox proposed  that the Council should fly the rainbow flag until the results were out. Council agreed (8 to 4), and the flag flew.

Mithra is your Greens Councillor in Ward 1 (the northern part of Wollongong)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mithracoxgreens/

Email: [email protected]

Cath is your Greens Councillor for Ward 2 (central Wollongong)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenscath/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0458 490 122

 

The Greens candidates for the council elections in September will be  Mithra Cox, in Ward 1,  Cath Blakey in Ward 2 and Jamie Dixon in Ward 3.

"Our vision for Wollongong is a city where everyone feels welcome, whose people are recognised as global leaders in sustainability, with a lifestyle that is the envy of the world."

20% affordable housing to benefit young people: Greens back Housing Trust calls for equity

Posted by Jess Whittaker · September 03, 2021 6:00 AM

Coastal share path should be widened: Greens

Posted by Mithra Cox · August 19, 2021 5:55 PM

L’Étape should be invited to cycle city Wollongong as warm up event for UCI

Posted by Jess Whittaker · August 19, 2021 4:50 PM

The Illawarra Greens have preselected high profile environmentalist Cath Blakey to contest the Wollongong byelection in a democratic rank and file preselection held in Fairy Meadow today.