Many Tweed Shire residents are aware of the hard work Cr. Nola Firth does on council to stand up for locals and protect the unique and beautiful Tweed Shire. She works tirelessly and consistently on council to protect green spaces and also increase affordable and social housing in the Tweed. She keeps a close eye on development to make sure it works for locals and our incredible natural environment. She has stood up for locals in many cases, such as in the recent fill on the Kingscliff flood plain issue, and also when an industrial bakery was planned next door to residents’ houses in Fingal Head.

Nola has had some great achievements in her first term such as introducing the Cool Towns program for more trees in urban areas, to reduce urban heating and provide shade and habitat. She has worked to implement anti-ageism measures, fund a new roadside weed team, increase native tree protection, recycling measures e.g a textile recycling trial, protection of birds of prey through the ‘Give a rats’ program and further inclusion of environmental enhancement within shire policy documents.

Nola values working collegially with other councillors and council staff in order to get the best outcomes for the community and environment. She has consistently shown wisdom and integrity in all her negotiations.

In her next term Nola will continue to build on her achievements including sustainable, appropriately placed and flood-free development and investment in public and truly affordable housing and homelessness support. She will advocate for increased resources for weed and feral animal management, more timely state funding for road repair, increased funding for footpaths and bike paths, increased tree protection, and local economic growth that prioritises regenerative farming, the circular economy (e.g. local soft plastics recycling) and community-led climate change mitigation and adaptation (e.g local renewable energy micro grids to lower energy costs).

Nola has the passion, and skills to build on the achievements, knowledge, networks and experience she gained during her first term in Council. She is now in a very strong position to achieve more positive outcomes for our diverse and extraordinarily beautiful shire.