Greens seek four more years of control

The Leichhardt Greens have highlighted their record in government as the defining issue in the prelude to Saturday’s much antipicated ballot.

Leichardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous was emphatic Council’s performance since 2008 warranted re-election.

“You need to look at track record and this Greens led Council has an excellent track record for delivering in every sense,” she said.

Ms Porteous pointed to the Callan Park Master Plan, delivery of four new sporting fields and a 35 per cent increase in road and footpath spending as significant achievements.

The Greens have also framed childcare as a critical election issue. Ms Porteous said the Greens were “allocating $10 million to new childcare centres and childcare places,” providing 450 new places. Since 2008, the Greens controlled Council has also opened 21 new or upgraded playgrounds.

During the next term the Greens aim to deliver “big ticket items,” such as Leichhardt Community Centre and Balmain Public Square, and commence a “free 30 minute parking trial and a complete parking overhaul.”

Ms Porteous said the Greens would stand up for the local community over development issues, to ensure residents “have a voice in planning issues that have an impact on them.”

Labor Councillor Darcy Byrne, who is recontesting the Wangal/Rozelle-Lilyfield Ward, challenged the performance of the Greens.

“The Greens controlled Council has dropped the ball on a range of really important services and the response that I am getting from local residents is that they really want Council to lift its game,” he said.

Mr Byrne advocated for a partnership between parties on Council.

“What we’re committed to is delivering high quality services and we believe that a Council that has more balance, that is not controlled totally by one political party, can achieve that.”

Since the 2008 election, the Greens have enjoyed a Council majority with the casting vote of Independent John Stamolis. The support of Mr Stamolis allowed the six Greens councillors control over the 12 member Council.

Mr Stamilos said he disliked the “merry-go-round” that occurred between 2004 and 2008 when the Mayoralty was swapped four times. He seeks “stability and leadership” on Council. Mr Stamolis indicated that he would be influenced by how people vote on September 8.

“If the people swing massively in a particular direction, I’m going to listen to what they say,” he said. “If they give a particular party a strong majority, it is not for me to interfere with their decision.”

After the 2004 election, a Liberal-Labor-Independent coalition was formed. The deal excluded the Greens, even though they won 35 per cent of the primary vote.

If history repeats, a coalition is likely, although the potential composition is unknown.

Ms Porteous said the Greens had “no pre-agreement” with any other candidates and said “after the election there’ll be discussions with the 12 councillors elected.”

Mr Byrne did not discount working with any other party.

“I would like to see a situation where all parties are working collaboratively to deliver better results for local residents, so I’m not going to rule our working in conjunction with a coalition of any kind.”

Mr Stamolis said planning and development was the most significant issue going into the election.

“If you mess up a local community, you can really change the fundamentals of an area. You can make it a less desirable place [and] you can negatively impact on the way a community functions,” he said.

Although Mr Stamilos has supported the Greens for the position of Mayor, he has distanced himself over policy issues.

“I moved them in the direction of my policy, not the other way around. I’m a political entity and I have my own policy agenda.”