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Local government plays a huge role in protecting and preserving the environment, and The City of Onkaparinga has a strong tradition of introducing positive measures and initiatives based on environmental and sustainability issues.
For that reason, a number of local environmental and community groups have contacted all the candidates standing for Mayor of Onkaparinga City, as well as those standing in the Southern Vales and South Coast Wards, to offer them the opportunity to introduce themselves to our collective membership, and to let us know where they stand on a number of key environmental issues in the City of Onkaparinga.
Each candidate was given the same ten questions to answer. Here are the responses of Gail Kilby.
10 Questions Council Election
- Where do you live? What attracted you to where you live?
I live in Willunga, Southern Vales Ward. Willunga is such a lovely small town, with plenty of history and a great sense of community. It is the perfect spot to access wineries, beaches, countryside and has 3 great pubs in the main street!
- What’s your political background?
I am independent, I vote for the people and parties who most represent my values.
- To which community groups or associations do you belong?
I have been involved with many local community groups. I currently volunteer many hours as senior trainer and committee member at School for Dogs Aldinga Bay inc which is a non profit, community run dog school. I also am a member of the Anti-Poverty Network.
- If elected, what will be your priorities?
My priorities will be to improve engagement between Council and Community, work with the residents, clubs, organisations and local businesses to get the best from Council for them.
- What are your policies regarding the environment and biodiversity?
I am concerned with protecting the environment and without biodiversity we are all doomed. Protecting our future is the responsibility of every person, organisation and level of government. I would support sound initiatives to improve education, make council land and buildings more environmentally sound and welcoming to biodiversity. Council also has a role advocating for the community to other levels of government for funding and support for environmentally friendly projects.
- Do you think the City of Onkaparinga should re-visit declaring a Climate Emergency?
Yes, this should be a consideration of the new Council
- How can Council accelerate decarbonisation within the community?
The city of Onkaparinga is already working towards 0 carbon emissions by 2030, which is great and receives my support. Rather than tell you what I would do (as I am no expert in this field) I would ask the experts and the community what can be done better.
- How would you make Onkaparinga a better place to live with less resource consumption?
By supporting initiatives that make our city more sustainable, greener, better educated and equipped to move us forward to a low consumption region.
- How would you aim to influence Elected Members to be effective decision makers?
Not standing for Mayor
- Do you have ideas for championing improvements in the energy efficiency and lower resource footprints of new and retrofit development, both domestic and commercial?
I do have a few personal ideas, as I try to live my life in an environmentally friendly manner. But I think it’s much more important to listen to and act on the (most likely better) ideas of those who are living and working sustainably already. It is also important to learn from other communities, countries and organisations who have managed to reach a better standard in us. We can all do our bit at a local or individual level but until governments and industry start to work towards affordable alternatives to those destroying our world, we are stuck in our own fur-lined rut of self-satisfaction, it is not enough to be smug about what we do individually if we have no intention of putting pressure on those still reaping financial rewards from unsound and unsustainable activities
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