Bomaderry resident Mr Barratt was unanimously endorsed as “the person to campaign for Clean Politics, a Clean Earth and a return to Empowered Communities” at a joint meeting of the Kiama and Shoalhaven Greens on Sunday. 

“I’m very committed to strengthening our democratic traditions by getting the community more involved in planning our future,” Mr Barratt said. 

“The great community response to, and concern about, the ‘growth at any cost’ plans of the state government, reflect the fact that it has failed in its promise to return decision-making to local communities.”

According to a party statement, the Illawarra Growth and Infrastructure Plan will feature significantly in the election campaign, “having as it does a focus on economic growth linked to a local population and housing boom but very short on job creation ideas”.

The Greens in Kiama will be campaigning for greater equity in education funding based on student need as per the Gonski reforms, and for the revitalisation of TAFE.

Mr Barratt is a former manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and an Environmental Scientist with Sydney Water.

Mr Barratt was also the party’s candidate for the federal seat of Gilmore at the 2013 election. 

“As the government strips away legislation protecting biodiversity, water quality and agricultural lands in its blind search for economic growth and refuses to seriously respond to the impacts of climate change, the Greens will continue to highlight positive actions to protect the environment and communities,” he said.

“The Greens recognise the impact on communities of reduced mental health services, reduced access to community legal services and reduced access to affordable housing.

‘‘As part of our desire to see greater empowerment of local communities we will be campaigning to see these services receive greater funding and greater local input into how the funding is used.”

The Greens in Kiama have traditionally attracted about nine per cent of the vote at state elections, and Greens preferences can hold the key to the seat.

At the 2011 election, Greens candidate Ben van der Wijngaart attracted nine per cent of the vote. 

However, 13.1 per cent went to former Kiama mayor Sandra McCarthy, who stood as an independent.

Following the election, former Kiama MP Matt Brown said Mrs McCarthy’s decision not to preference him in the poll ‘‘ensured a Gareth Ward victory’’ and delivered the former Labor stronghold to the Liberal Party.

Incumbent Mr Ward, who received 41.5 per cent of the primary vote in 2011, will also be challenged by Labor candidate Glenn Kolomeitz next year.