Candidate for Springwood
About
Neil Cotter has lived in the electorate for 37 years, has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science from Griffith University and a graduate diploma of Library and Information Studies and works in the library at Griffith University. Neil is Secretary of the Queensland Greens and the Australian Greens.
Neil is running in this election to help provide a genuine alternative to the failed policies of the ALP/LNP. People in Springwood just as everywhere in the state are increasingly tired of the ALP's big empty promises and the LNP's promises to do essentially the same, only more so. The Greens are the only party proposing practical, realistic, long-term solutions to the challenges facing Queensland.
Neil believes that climate change is the most urgent and important issue facing the state because both the ALP and the LNP are betting the farm on coal, and that is a bet we will lose, a loss with serious environmental and economic repercussions.
It is obvious that to face the reality of climate change we need to be managing the transition to renewable energy not investing almost exclusively in coal and coal seam gas. To add insult to injury the ALP/LNP approach that threatens our water and food supplies also largely benefits only overseas companies.
There are solutions and economic opportunities for addressing climate change, new industries and jobs are there to be developed and we are well placed to do so, but time is quickly passing us by, this needs to get done, and that the Greens are the apparently the only party prepared to do it.
The ALP/LNP have sold out the long term interests of Queensland for a few quick bucks, surprisingly few bucks in fact given that taxpayers own the coal and gas that multinational companies plan to make billions from selling.
We are facing some serious challenges in terms of water, health, electricity and education and more of the same simply won't get the job done. The Greens are not beholden to any vested interests and have a long and proud history of being more than willing to take on anybody in the interests of ordinary citizens.
Even when the dams are full water is still a concern, not least because of inexplicably steeply rising prices. Similarly the costs of electricity are growing beyond reason despite the need for investment in infrastructure.
We do have to invest in new infrastructure like water tanks, smart grids and solar thermal generation, but conserving water and energy are the best, fastest, most realistic, economic solutions, and no one knows more about conservation than the Greens.
Be heard, vote Green.
Neil Cotter
To contact Neil, email springwood@qld.greens.org.au
Policies
In Springwood we enjoy a quality of life enhanced by beautiful bushland like Daisy Hill State Forest that shield us from urban sprawl and need to be protected.
However we still lack for public transport, our schools have new buildings but our teachers struggle for the resources they need and Logan hospital is inadequate.
The Greens advocate support for households to install solar photovoltaic (reduces demand and increases supply at peak periods) and solar hot water systems to bring down the cost of electricity for all users.
We also support local energy co-operatives to further facilitate householders, and keep money local.
Transport is an issue that impacts on Springwood perhaps more than other electorates as the busway and transit lanes don't come out this far.
Combine that with a relatively poor public transport system generally and congestion has become a serious problem and will only get worse if present policies are maintained.
Investment in public transport benefits everyone, with better services for users of public transport, less congestion for those who don't, and the delay or avoidance of expensive major road projects paid for by the taxpayer.
Community input into development is also a serious concern. Recent proposed developments in Springwood have shown the disproportionate power developers have with local and state government compared to local citizens.
The community shouldn't have to organise and campaign for months to get the government to comply with its own Regional Plan. The future of communities shouldn't be decided by developers.
The Greens are determined that residents should have a real say in the future of their communities, and that this should be enabled by legislation and resources.
