Cessnock

James Ryan

Greens candidate for Cessnock

James Ryan is a Greens candidate because Cessnock suffers in particular from poor access to health services.

“The Hospitals at both Kurri Kurri and Cessnock have been under funded and services have suffered. We need to reinstate a full range of services, particularly at Cessnock Hospital.

“Cessnock has only one GP per 2200 people. This is an unacceptable situation. We should have a GP for every 1200 people. The decline in access to health services for the citizens of Cessnock and the increasing centralization of services in John Hunter and Maitland Hospitals has occurred under a Labor State Government while Cessnock has been a safe Labor seat.

“Similarly, Cessnock gets a raw deal on public transport. The Government currently subsidises the private bus company who are very good at providing the services they are required to, however we need to increase the number of buses running and lower the cost. The Greens support an Integrated Lower Hunter Transport Strategy, administered by a single authority and utilising a single low fare which allows a passenger to travel all day anywhere in the Lower Hunter. 

“One of the big development issues facing the electorate is the proposal to open a new coal mine at Black Hill near Beresfield and Tarro. Some residents living nearby already experience noise and black dust. The Greens will not approve new mines - however we will not close existing mines. We will support the creation of a renewable energy industry in NSW which will create more employment in NSW than the coal industry currently provides.

“Finally Cessnock is at risk from over-development. The greens will fight against the loss and habitat and the loss of biodiversity as a result of overdevelopment.

“The NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor announced a Lower Hunter Regional Strategy last October which seeks to increase the number of dwellings in the Cessnock Local Government area by over 100%. The majority of these dwellings will be developed in areas which were never placed on public display for community comment. This total lack of community consultation is a symptom of a Government which doesn't listen to the community.  Rather it listens to the property development sector and big business.

James is married with two children and lives in Kurri Kurri. He grew up at Black Hill near Beresfield and holds a degree in Economics from University of Sydney. He is a small business operator and a councillor on Cessnock City Council. James is also a member NSW Fire Brigade and Union.

To contact James Ryan please email cessnock@nsw.greens.org.au or call 0414 922 591. A map and full details of this district are available from the NSW Electoral Commission.