Councillor Chris Harris

A green watchdog drawn by Reg Mombassa, the original Mambo designer, was revealed as the theme and mascot of The Greens’ campaign for Sydney at an official launch outside Parliament House last week.

Candidate Chris Harris wove the watchdog theme into his launch speech. The green watchdog symbolises The Greens’ role in watching for, and alerting us to, the hidden deals with big business that have influenced so many decisions of Labor and Liberal.

The Greens stay apart from this secret influence-peddling because they do not accept donations from the big end of town.

Chris also revealed a major new policy platform for this election — better rights for apartment dwellers, who all-too-often wear the sharp end when developers and building managers take short-cuts with building design, repair, management and tenancy policies.

Greens MP Sylvia Hale, working with Chris, will introduce a new strata law reform Bill into the upper house which will give apartment dwellers a much better deal.

And, with the help of a well-known strata expert who uses the pen-name ‘Galsworthy’, this website already has a whole new section explaining what’s wrong with current strata practices and offering an extensive FAQ section for owners and tenants. (See link button in the right column).

The strata pages cover everything from problems with pets to the ins and outs of body corporate politics. They offer a unique resource for apartment dwellers.

Read on for the full text of Chris’ campaign speech and make sure next March you PUT A GREEN WATCHDOG IN THE NSW PARLIAMENT.

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The City of Sydney lags shamefully behind other global cities which have already initiated extensive programs to address global warming.

At Monday night’s Council meeting, however, it appeared the City is about to change all that with a slew of environmental motions and projects dominating the agenda.

But only Chris Harris proposed the adoption of definite targets and performance indicators with annual assessments of progress in greenhouse gas reduction.

“We need to reduce Sydney’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% by 2050 according to key environmental bodies such as the Total Environment Centre, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW and The Wilderness Society,” he said.

“Other experts put the figure at 80%.”

“While I commend the several significant environmental actions the City is already undertaking, unless we set and meet these targets we will be failing in the job ahead of us.”

“An ad-hoc approach is not good enough.”

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Media Release

Two Hills Weeping Figs in Selwyn Street Paddington, estimated to be at least 50 years old and listed on the City of Sydney Council’s Register of Significant Trees, were turned to pulp last week.

Yet less than 12 months ago, the City of Sydney Council proudly announced the creation of the Register of Significant Trees in which the figs of Selwyn Street are described as: ‘in some cases over 50-70 years old, with cultural/historical and social significance as well as significant visual/aesthetic appeal.’

Greens Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Harris: “The fact that the two figs were causing damage to property is not in dispute. The issue is why council is trashing the Register on which it spent substantial amounts of rate -payers money.

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Media Release

Greens Cr. Chris Harris celebrated 10 years of Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) at the graduation of their class of 2006.

Cr. Chris Harris, “The Greens know that human beings have always valued dogs for their friendship and protection. This bond is particularly strong for people with disabilities. You only have to look in the faces of the new owners of the four graduating ADA dogs to see it. These dogs are amazing, they pick up keys, open doors, turn lights on and off and push the button at the pedestrian crossings. The city is pleased to make Martin Place available for the graduation ceremony.

“The City of Sydney’s support for Assistance Dogs Australia is consistent with the council’s increased investment into disability access for locals and visitors alike, making it easier for people with disabilities to get around the city.” Cr. Harris said

Cr. Harris again, “What’s more, these cute, cuddly puppies not only change the lives of people with physical disabilities, they also change the lives of the people who foster them. Some of the puppies are given to prisoners to rear. This makes a huge difference to the inmates who take on a pup, which in turn then makes an enormous difference to a person with a physical disability. It’s a program where the whole community benefits - a very Greens way of solving a problem.

“As Greens Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney, I am honoured to have been part of the celebration of an organistation that, for 10 years has helped so many Australians.” Cr. Harris said.