Four candidates vying for the federal seat of Casey—Merran Blair (Greens), Aaron Violi (Liberal Party), Naomi Oakley (Australian Labor Party), and Claire Ferris-Miles (Independent)—recently participated in a community forum where they outlined their key policies and addressed pressing local issues. The discussion covered a range of topics, including cost of living, gendered violence, childcare, telecommunications, and climate change.

It's easy to see why we love living in the Yarra Ranges, but as the federal election approaches, residents are keen for their voices to be heard on key topics that affect our community. These topics, including housing, childcare, climate change, infrastructure, road safety, and gendered violence, significantly impact the local community's well-being and way of life.

When it comes to the impacts of climate change, we see our community as Australia’s metaphorical canary in the coalmine. Our community is experiencing the early impacts of a climate change and serves as an early indicator of what other communities are likely to experience in the future.  

In this blog we call on our Yarra Ranges councilor candidates to consider the concerns of our community on key issues exacerbated by climate change.