The Greens have unveiled their candidates for this year's Cessnock City Council election.
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Llynda Nairn (Ward A), Louise Ihlein (Ward B) and Janet Murray (Ward D and mayoral candidate) were announced as candidates at a dinner on Saturday, with the campaign officially launched by Greens' Upper House MP and lead Senate candidate in the upcoming Federal election, David Shoebridge.
Ms Murray, an engineer, has lived on a rural property outside Kurri Kurri for the last 28 years and was the first female superintendent of BHP's Newcastle blast furnaces.
She said she is running for council because she's passionate about having better playgrounds for kids, having council achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, and residents having earlier and better-informed input into the decisions that affect them.
"Our planning decisions need to put people before profits and protect our environment for the future," she said.
Ms Ihlein resides in the heart of Cessnock. She has had a career in nursing and is currently studying at the University of Newcastle. She said she wants to ensure transparency of a council that serves everyone in the community.
"We need to include those who rent, people without access to a car, the elderly and homeless. I want a safe town where we can all feel safe in our homes," she said.
Ms Nairn settled in Millfield after many years of touring Australia as a performance artist in education. She makes presentations in schools and preschools and wants to listen to people and learn about their ideas for the future of Cessnock.
"I want to work for our community and ensure that our people and our environment are considered first," she said.
The local government election will be held on September 4.