Greens Candidate for Hornsby Council – A Ward
Our 8-point plan for Hornsby
- 100% renewable Hornsby
- Save the Bushland Shire
- Affordable and Sustainable Housing
- Protection of Rural Lands
- Affordable Childcare
- Stop and Reverse Privatisations
- No Forced Amalgamations
- World Class Parks and Playgrounds
A few of our actions:
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens opposed Steve Russell’s over-development “scheme”, which was to be the Hornsby Westside “plan”, which would have seen 20 and 26 storey buildings obliterating Hornsby’s heritage. We believe our detailed and well researched submission on Hornsby Westside was influential in the scheme being abandoned. We proposed a community-friendly alternative to this scheme, which would have allowed development and provided more community spaces. The heritage of Hornsby Westside is still under threat, and we will continue work towards an outcome that better serves the community rather than the interests of developers.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens supported the protection of the Berowra Valley with a detailed submission in support of the formation of the Berowra Valley National Park. Berowra Valley National Park was subsequently declared.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens has long-opposed the South Dural housing over-development. On this issue, alone, we have presented many petitions, made many representations, and submitted many objections and recommendations to council and to state government bodies.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens spoke at council in support for childcare providers who were forced from council owned premises on the pretext of being charged “Market Rents”. We will continue to fight to get a better and fairer deal for young families and for childcare workers. Over time, we want to see childcare, once again become a municipal responsibility.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens opposed the sale of childcare and community premises throughout the Hornsby Shire. We find it absurd that council should sell off community assets that have been developed, donated or bequeathed by generations of ratepayers for short-term gain.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens supported the development of council built café space adjacent to parks and playgrounds to provide families with safe places for children to play and for communities to engage.
With support from our State Greens MLCs and lower house members, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens, vigorously opposed the forced amalgamation of councils. We recorded our objections at the community forums, and we submitted our written objections. We protested the lack of real community consultation in Hornsby – not one community forum was held in the Hornsby Shire.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens proposed that Hornsby Council use solar heating at the Aquatic Centre. We are committed to the development of sustainable energy and the reduction in energy use. Even despite the cost savings of solar heating, the current Russell Council rejected the plan.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens opposed Hornsby council “gifting” NorthConnex a fee to dump tunnel spoil in the old Hornsby Quarry site. Council should have imposed a fee on NorthConnex to dump its spoil, and as a result, Council would not be charging its residents to subsidise State Government cosy deal with road developers.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens has actively and continuously engaged with council, on these issues and many others, despite not having an elected councillor in the last term. Regardless of this election’s outcome, we will continue to work for the Hornsby community.
About David
David currently works as a project manager in the field of medical information networks and is the Membership Officer of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens. David also has a long history of volunteer work for the community and these are some of the highlights:
- Ran as Greens Candidate for NSW Electorate of Davidson in 2015,
- Assistance to the Papua New Guinea Greens (Established website, helped with membership system, and assisted with a review of PNG Greens Party constitution.),
- Convenor of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Greens 2011-2016,
- Editor and Webmaster for the energy-without-carbon website,
- Member of the Greens since 2007, Volunteer for the Greens since 2004,
- Campaign Manager for Dr Jonathan King – July and August 2010,
- Acting President of Pittwater Community Gardens during its formation,
- Initiated the P4 Group “People Protecting Public Parks”,
- Assisted with the production of Elimatta – the Aboriginal Support Group quarterly newsletter for 20 years,
- P&C President – Bilgola Plateau Public School – 2 years,
- Member of the Newport Resident Association – designed, built and deployed the Newport Resident Association website,
- Designed, built and deployed the Northern Beaches Greens Website,
- Business representative for Darlinghurst youth drop-in centre,
- Volunteer maths tutoring (Hobart).
David’s work career has covered a wide range of scientific, engineering and project work in the fields of medical information networks, acoustics, air quality and a range of environmental monitoring projects. Some of the project work includes, glass recycling, animal behaviour tracking systems, network and systems design and implementation, writing (programming) complete software management systems, mining and resource information systems, and the installation and maintenance of a wide range of medical systems (CT, digital angiography, x-ray, audiology, cardiac and other systems).
David studies include Applied Biology, Biomedical Science, Electrical Engineering and range of courses in Medical Electronics, Computer Science and Design. David also studied with Siemens in Germany and with Philips in Holland and Singapore.
David has worked in small to medium businesses, large corporations and ran his own electronics and IT business for 10 years. As a part of this work experience, David has developed a detailed understanding of complex business operations.
David is looking forward to serving the residents of Hornsby.