Cr Dr Dorothy Robinson is passionate about making the Armidale Region healthy and sustainable. She’s lived in Armidale for over 30 years, and enjoyed a career as principal research scientist in animal genetics, statistics and ways to reduce global warming.

She used her mathematical and scientific skills to build a passive solar house in 1991 with very low energy bills. Since installing rooftop solar panels (that paid for themselves in 4 years) in 2010, her home has exported more electricity than it uses.  If Councils successfully negotiate deals (and appropriate environmental safeguards) with renewable energy developers, everyone could enjoy clean, low-cost energy, without harming the environment, agricultural productivity or visual amenity.

Dorothy believes quality of life is even more important than growth, and that communities need fair rates and charges. Councils should fight cost-shifting from other levels of government, and advocate strongly for fair funding to attract the necessary people, services, physical and social infrastructure to improve health and meet World Health Organisation Air Quality Guidelines.

Sustainable development means encouraging sustainable industries and energy efficient, sustainable homes, and planning the best possible locations for future residential areas, ideally close to major employment and commercial centres, allowing a choice of walking or cycling instead of driving.

Councils should be transparent and accountable, and work respectfully with volunteers who want to create a better society. Easy-to-use software to report problems and see council’s responses about solutions would encourage residents to share their ideas with council and the community.