With the release of the ACT Budget, the Greens are announcing an election initiative to give local people the power to allocate a portion of budget funds to priorities in their suburbs.
“Participation in democracy is as important to the Greens as social justice and environmental sustainability,” said ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury.
“But right now, I think there’s a feeling that people are up to their necks in consultations, giving feedback to the government and submitting ideas to the void, without any real power to make decisions.
“Our plan will give local people real power to shape their neighbourhoods into places they love living, even more.”
The Greens’ plan to facilitate decision-making By and For the Suburbs will:
- Allocate $40 million for suburb-level projects over two rounds of funding during the next term of government, with an amount for each and every suburb
- Supplement, not replace, the government’s existing obligations on upkeep and maintenance
- Empower local residents to make the decisions on how this money is spent in their suburb
- Enable the volunteer-run district community councils to focus on community consultation rather than administration, by providing them with secretariat and other support through the ACT public service
- Convene a citizens jury to consider reforms for our community councils and consultation models that would further enhance community-led decision making
Greens democracy spokesperson Andrew Braddock, who is recontesting his seat in Yerrabi, says the unique feature of the Greens’ plan is empowering communities to decide.
“Every suburb will receive a budget, relative to its size, for use on whatever the local residents would like.
“This could include local projects, initiatives, facilities, activities, services or events. Let your imaginations run wild.
“This will be in addition to the normal suburban upkeep activities like maintaining footpaths and mowing public parklands. It’s also on top of any other bigger projects the government may commit to for the district or city as a whole.”
Adele Sinclair, Greens Candidate for Ginninderra, is a community advocate for Scullin and past Deputy Chair of Belconnen Community Council.
“Our volunteer-run district community councils are a crucial foundation for grassroots democracy in Canberra, especially in the absence of local government councils,” Ms Sinclair said.
“But they are also under-resourced, with the expectations and demands placed on volunteers frequently going beyond what the average person can contribute.
“It’s essential that we support, enable and invigorate our district community councils so they can function well, facilitate community-led decision-making – and with the money the Greens are committing to our suburbs, help deliver new initiatives that locals want.”
Later today Mr Braddock will bring on a vote in the Legislative Assembly to test whether Labor and the Liberals will commit to the principles of participatory democracy.
“Canberrans deserve to know whether parties seeking their vote at this October’s election are actually committed to giving Canberrans a meaningful say on what happens in their suburb,” Mr Braddock said.
This is the first of a number of Greens initiatives that will be announced over the course of the election campaign to improve the amenity of public land in Canberra’s suburbs. Read the full details of this initiative By and For the Suburbs on the ACT Greens website.
