He was chosen by the local members of the Cessnock Kurri Greens in a ballot held late last month.

“It is going to be an exciting election. For NSW it is likely to mean a change of Government, the Greens holding the balance of power in the NSW Upper House and having representatives in the Lower House for the first time.

“With Kerry Hickey not standing again and the NSW Labor Government out of favour, the traditionally safe Labor seat of Cessnock has a chance of changing political colour,” Cr. Ryan said.

“The big issues for Cessnock in the State election will be the attempt to have Huntlee and Sanctuary Villages development proposals approved before the Government changes hands. Additionally the State Governments role in instituting a Planning Panel in Cessnock will be a hot topic. Reforming the Planning System so that local communities again have a voice and decisions are made with integrity is a major election issue,” he believes.

“Public transport is another vital issue for Cessnock. There is a great need to have bus services more frequently than every hour. Education, training and access to employment are critical in Cessnock where, despite the Hunter’s unemployment rate being lower than the State average, Cessnock’s remains higher.”

“And of course there is the ongoing issue of coal mining and coal seem gas extraction impacting on our local environment and global Green House gas emissions” he said.

He has been involved in local residents groups from Abernethy, Wollombi, Millfield, Paxton, Bellbird, North Rothbury, Black Hill, Cliftleigh, Cessnock North, Weston and Kurri.

He was also the instigator of the campaign to stop the private school in the HEZ site and was also an active player in Cessnock Against Privatisation which successfully campaigned against the privatisation of Cessnock Gaol. In 2007 and 2008 he campaigned for an inquiry into Cessnock City Council prior to the council election later in 2008.