Vote for a Climate Action Council

Candidates say ‘scrap the curfew

2008-09-09T18:49:00.001-07:00

Socialist Alliance candidates for the upcoming local elections are calling for the recently instated curfew to be scrapped. Mayoral candidate Zane Alcorn described the curfew as “a patronising and exaggerated reaction to the behaviour of a minority that is punishing ordinary people”.

The introduction of a 1.00am lock-out and 2.30-3.00am closure of Newcastle’s nightlife was aimed at curbing alcohol fuelled violence. Alcorn says that “We recognise the problem of alcohol related violence – young people want to feel safe when they’re out at night too. But we think there are better ways of dealing with this problem that don’t restrict the freedoms of responsible pub and club patrons. With the possibility of an earlier curfew and closure time being introducecd, where does this end? ”

“We think violence could be curbed more effectively through a pubwatch scheme that ensures rapid, accurate and efficient communication of details about potential problems. This has reduced alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour throughout the British Isles. We would combine this with a free late-night transport system that will ensure people can get from one pub to another or home rather than staying on the streets.”

Candidate for Ward Three Thomas Cameron argues “People are tired having to be extremely wary when wandering between clubs in town, tired of having no trust in their fellow citizens in an otherwise friendly town. Just changing the curfew times doesn’t deal with the roots of this problem. When people feel they can move safely about town, with transport that is free and frequent, we will have a far more vibrant and safe nightlife in Newcastle.”

Election Gig Photos

2008-09-09T18:36:00.001-07:00

Campaign launch gig

2008-09-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

Zane will challenge any other willing Mayoral candidate to an MC battle at Saturday night's election campaign launch. Listen to some of Zane's tracks here.

2008-09-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Zane interviewed on ABC1233

2008-09-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

Listen to Socialist Alliance Lord Mayoral candidate Zane Alcorn interviewed on ABC 1233 about the skate park.

Save the skate park

2008-09-02T23:37:00.000-07:00

Hear local skaters interviewed on ABC 1233 about why they’re coming to the Save the Skate Park rally this Saturday (12noon, Newcastle Beach Skate Park).

Get Newcastle off the grid!

2008-09-02T01:37:00.000-07:00

Socialist Alliance candidate for Lord Mayor Zane Alcorn, and fellow Ward Three candidates Laura Ealing and Thomas Cameron have issued a challenge to current Lord Mayor John Tate to get his head out of the sand. They are advocating the implementation of a radical scheme to cut Newcastle’s carbon emissions and take the city completely off the power grid.

At a recent candidates’ forum organised by the Newcastle Alliance, Alcorn argued that Arctic sea ice is likely to melt by 2013, and that council can’t afford to ignore climate change. But Tate responded by denying this is an issue for council, arguing that the onus is on individuals to make changes at a household level.

Socialist Alliance candidates are using the example of Woking, a council area the UK, which has become energy self-sufficient and has made massive cuts to greenhouse emissions.

“Woking has reduced its carbon emissions by 77% since 1990. There’s no reason why Newcastle council can’t do the same thing here,” Alcorn said.

“We can cut Newcastle’s emissions dramatically and become energy self-sufficient by utilising solar and wind power and supplementing this with combined heat and power plants (CHPs). About 70% of the energy from coal-fired power stations is lost in heat or transmission. CHPs are highly efficient, decentralised power plants make use of this usually wasted energy to heat or cool buildings,” says Alcorn.

“It sounds ambitious but Woking shows what’s possible in practice if the political will exists. We can either take this sort of initiative to safeguard the future of our planet, or we can sit back and watch passively as things disintegrate,” warned Cameron. Cameron noted that London council also plans to cut its emissions by 60% over the next 20 years.

Claims that council cannot afford to implement the proposal will not wash with the candidates either. Ealing stresses that “If anything the transition that Woking has made has strengthened their local economy - Woking council has reduced its annual energy bills by almost a million pounds, and the energy bills for council residents are lower too.

“Newcastle council can afford to do this, and what’s more, it can’t afford not to. Climate change is happening at a speed that no one predicted, and anyone who tries to claim that it’s not their responsibility is simply unfit for leadership”.

For interviews contact:
Zane Alcorn 0401 466 831
Laura Ealing 0406 793 716
Thomas Cameron 0431 522 086

Socialist Alliance; Graffiti Strategy

2008-08-25T02:56:00.000-07:00

Socialist Alliance Lord Mayoral candidate Zane Alcorn has released a graffiti policy in reply to Lord Mayor John Tate’s $250,000 plan to combat graffiti.

“For $100,000 you could employ five part time graffiti artists to decorate the city’s walls and paint over tags and graffiti on non-legal walls. These artists could be selected by a public jury according to a submission of works. For another $50,000 you could supply them with paint for the year and a company mountain bike (instead of a company car).”

The strategy would necessarily need to be augmented by the provision of numerous new legal graffiti walls around the city, Mr Alcorn said. Otherwise graffiti artists would have nowhere to practice their art form.

“Currently there is only one legal graffiti wall, at South Newcastle beach skate park. People should hardly be surprised by illegal graffiti when there is only one legal wall to service a city of half a million people which is home to hundreds of graffiti artists”.

Mr Alcorn said that this way the five appointed artists would have an incentive to encourage other artists to use the legal walls.

“Instead of prohibition council should encourage a culture of using legal walls.

The best people to encourage and foster this culture are graffiti artists themselves, not father-figure politicians who demonise and disrespect our city’s youth and their culture.

“My plan would cheaper than paying expensive contractors and conducting police witch hunts- and way more effective”.

Alcorn said that with the $100,000 saved, council could resurface the run down skate park at south Newcastle beach. Currently council had a ridiculously inadequate budget of $20,000 per annum to service the city’s seven skateparks, meaning virtually no repairs could be made.

“And at the end of the day, we can have the world’s best graffiti strategy but the top priority for all councils right now needs to be climate change. And on this crucial issue, John Tate has been conspicuously silent”.

A Younger, Greener Newcastle - Green Left Article

2008-08-25T02:44:00.000-07:00

Article by; Laura Ealing & Tom Cameron

23 August 2008

When you see the line-up of candidates running for Newcastle council in the September 13 elections, you notice the average demographic is seriously out of whack with that of the region.

In Newcastle, 40% of the population is less than 30 years old, with 10% between the ages of 20 and 24. But this overwhelming proportion of young people is not reflected in Newcastle’s local council representation.

What’s worse, the issues that really affect youth now in the future are not being addressed. That’s why the three of us — Tom Cameron, Laura Ealing and Zane Alcorn — decided to run as Socialist Alliance candidates.

A February 2007 Newspoll survey found that an overwhelming 94% of 18 to 34-year-olds believe climate change is a problem, with 78% seeing it as a “major problem”. Though it’s obvious that federal and state governments have the greatest ability to take significant climate action (if only they would!), we think that local councils also have an important role to play.

This role could include providing dedicated bike lanes and supporting the expansion of free public transport, urban agriculture and renewable energy. Newcastle council should also be protecting the region by opposing coal expansion: despite the fact that coal is a major contributor to climate change, Xstrata is about to start construction on the Anvil Hill coalmine.

The summer ice of the North Pole appears likely to melt completely within the next few years, and we are facing a climate crisis that has the capacity to utterly devastate life on Earth.

Meanwhile, Newcastle Mayor John Tate and councillors Helen O’Neill and Aaron Buman have been spending much of their time agonising over how to deal with the graffiti “problem” and doing their best to shut down some important youth-oriented services such as the Newcastle Beach skate park and The Loft, a youth arts and cultural venue.

They have also devoted themselves to vilifying young people for “antisocial” behaviour and have argued for curfews. This may win them some extra votes in the election, but it utterly fails to deal with the root causes of “antisocial” behaviour — unemployment, poverty, housing insecurity and plain old boredom. Surely denying people affordable housing is antisocial.

Empowering young people to have their voices heard and participate as valued citizens in the local community could go a long way towards finding real, sustainable solutions to these problems.

Many young people are really struggling financially with low-paying, insecure jobs, or a Youth Allowance that doesn’t even push them above the poverty line. While a local council can’t provide all the solutions to these problems, it could take enormous financial pressure off young people by providing more low-cost accommodation.

Converting some of the vacant buildings scattered throughout Newcastle to low-cost housing would be an innovative way of doing this. This would also ensure safer and more vibrant streets — particularly in the inner-city suburbs.

Ideas abound about how to make councils greener, more vibrant and more inclusive of younger people. What’s needed now is for people to make them happen.

From: Comment & Analysis, Green Left Weekly issue #764 27 August 2008.

Climate Torch Relay in Newcastle

2008-08-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

Posters and talks are a step, but-

Socialist Alliance candidate for Newcastle Mayor, Zane Alcorn will be addressing the Newcastle leg of GetUp’s ‘climate torch relay’ at Newcastle's Civic Park Friday 22nd August at noon.

Zane will also be attending a Mayoral Forum at City Hall on Monday August 25 commencing at 5:30pm.

Click here to download our (corrected) poster, and print copies off for your workplace, playplace, friends... and enemies

The Socialist Alliance is running three candidates in Ward 3, with the urgency to take action regarding climate change as the major platform.

The candidates are (from L to R) Tom Cameron, Laura Ealing and Zane Alcorn. Scroll further below to read their views (photo courtesy of J. Trainor)

Publish Post

Skate Park... & a Poster to put up as well

2008-08-20T00:13:00.000-07:00

click here to download the Socialist Alliance poster to print off and display- AND
stay tuned for a gathering re the Skate Park- we're gonna make a lot of noise... and lets meet:

Local council campaign meetings – Wednesdays 6.30 pm Resistance Centre – 470 Hunter St Newcastle.

Check out the Climate Action Council blog: http://climateactioncouncil.blogspot.com/

Can you help letterbox, put a sign in your front window or yard, leaflet your neighbourhood or help hand out how to votes on Saturday 13 September?

If so please ring 4926 5328.

Zane Alcorn, Laura Ealing and Tom Cameron for Newcastle’s Ward 3!

Zane for Newcastle Lord Mayor

For your diary : Campaign Launch Saturday 6 September Croation Club Wickhan

Climate Action Now: national climate torch relay

2008-08-15T02:20:00.000-07:00

Take part in the National Climate Torch Relay and urge other Mayoral candidates to join.

Here's a message received from GetUp about this important action.
-Zane Alcorn, Mayoral Candidate.

GetUp is holding a national climate torch relay to highlight the need for all Australians to take urgent action on climate change.

Four torches will tour the country – from the Great Barrier Reef to the Murray Darling Basin, to rural towns and capital cities - for nine weeks in August, September and October.

Wherever the torches go, the community hosting them will organise a local forum on climate change. In total, there will be over 100 local climate events in the lead-up to the delivery of the torch to the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard at Parliament House, Canberra, on October 12th 2008.

Newcastle and the Climate Relay
Due to its unique climate significance, Newcastle has been selected as one of the Relay’s major stops. The Torch will arrive at:

Civic Park (in front of Newcastle Town Hall)
Midday - Friday the 22nd of August

Getup invites all the Mayoral Candidates to be involved in passing the torch on and saying a few words. The message behind the torch is one of urgency to take action on climate change to both save the unique and vulnerable environmental landmarks in Australia and build a sustainable future.

We will be hosting a press conference at the location and be joined by our many members and the general public.

For more information, go to GetUP.
or contact Richie Merzian, Climate Events Coordinator at the Climate Torch website
www.climatetorch.com Email: richie@getup.org.au Phone: (02) 9264 4037 Mobile: 0401614810

For a Climate Action Council

2008-08-14T05:35:00.000-07:00

Socialist Alliance is running three candidates in Newcastle Council – Ward 3

Here's their answer to one simple question:

What do you think are the main issues that affect your ward?

Thomas Cameron

Within the Newcastle community the youth are facing difficulties finding affordable rental accommodation, high unemployment and a city that isn't exactly vibrant in terms of youth-orientated venues and entertainment. We need a council that's going to address these problems instead of just attacking things like the skate park and The Loft. We think council should be converting vacant buildings into low-rent housing, rather than leaving them idle or allowing developments that most people can't afford to live in. Everyone, including young people, should have a say over what the council does: people power, not corporate power.

Laura Ealing

We need a council that's committed to supporting a shift towards sustainability. We need to break our reliance on fossil fuels - they're driving climate change and they're fast running out. If Newcastle's economy is going to survive we need a plan for alternative transport systems and affordable food production through community gardens. We could have a massive expansion of free and frequent public transport by extending the fare free zone to the rest of Newcastle. Council could more actively support the installation of cheap water tanks and solar heating in homes. This is the sort of climate action council we need.

Zane Alcorn

I support recycling - but not for most of the current councilors – in fact overall- the council shows a lack of understanding of the depth of the crisis we’re in. The entire Arctic icecap is probably going to melt by 2013 so we need to get real about reducing emissions. I’ve got viable and realistic ideas to implement systems for renewable energy, sustainable architecture, public transport, and urban agriculture - things that need to happen to save the planet. Its not middle aged business people and developers who are going to inherit the burden of climate change, its people my age.

Please find below Socialist Alliance policy and candidate biographies.

For a climate action council in Newcastle

Zane Alcorn for Mayor

Socialist Alliance Team for Zane, Laura and Tom for Ward 3*

The latest research shows that Arctic sea ice could disappear by 2013. Within the term of the incoming council, responding to climate change will require an 'emergency' conversion to clean energy and transport. The Socialist Alliance believes that the shift to a low emissions future needs to start right now and we have a clear plan for how to do it - one that will guarantee jobs and protect communities.

Renewable energy and water saving

Using a combination of wind and solar power and improved energy efficiency, Newcastle can dramatically reduce its reliance on coal-fired power and say No to Iemma's electricity sell-off! Council should:

• Facilitate interest-free loans to households that can't afford the up-front cost of installing solar panels under the federal government's solar rebate system.

• Support the construction of a solar panel factory in the Hunter, providing alternative and green employment opportunities to the coal industry.

• Find a way to tax each tonne of coal exported to create a fund to support renewable energy sources and community services.

• Make cheap water tanks, water recycling systems and solar hot water systems available and inexpensive to install

Free and frequent public transport

Council should support an extension of the Fare Free Bus Zone to the rest of Newcastle, make it all day and better integrate public transport with cycleways. This would have an immediate effect on reducing carbon emissions.

Greenwaste and community gardens

Council should further encourage community gardens springing up in Newcastle and help develop neighbourhood-based green waste processing. Community gardens can help reduce the price and environmental cost of food.

Defend the skate park and The Loft

Newcastle has a high proportion of people in the 20-24 age group who face high unemployment and difficulties finding affordable rental accommodation.

Some in the current council seem fixated with scapegoating young people, attacking The Loft and the skate park and imposing curfews. We want to focus on the real issues such as by promoting youth orientated venues, improving the skate parks and converting vacant buildings into low rental accommodation.

People and planet before profits

The Socialist Alliance says that the planet and future generations are more important than profits. What we have outlined will need to be fought for by an informed and active community that can challenge the interests of polluting industries and big developers. We need a council that takes climate change seriously and supports community campaigns for real action.

*Ward 3 includes Waratah, Jesmond, Lambton, New Lambton and Kotara.

Candidates:

Zane Alcorn is a 24 year old climate change activist and hip-hop artist in the group Dhopec. He is a member of Resistance and was instrumental in drafting Socialist Alliance's Climate Change Charter. He helped organise the recent Camp for Climate Action and the student architecture competition looking at transitions towards renewable energy production in coal mining communities. He has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Zane currently works in hospitality and is a member of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union.

Thomas Cameron is a 19-year-old student at Newcastle University and has studied environmental management at TAFE. Tom grew up in Muswellbrook, where he saw the devastating impact of the coal industry and strongly supports a just transition to clean energy for the region. He is also a member of Resistance and participated in the Camp for Climate Action.

Laura Ealing is a 21-year-old economics graduate. She has been active in environmental and social justice campaigns since she was a high school student, when she began protesting the mandatory detention of refugees. She was a participant in the Camp for Climate Action. Laura currently works tutoring high school students.

Youth candidates for council: Save the skate park

2008-08-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

***MEDIA RELEASE***
12^th August 2008

Open-air press conference at South Newcastle Beach skate park

10.30am Wednesday 13^th August

Three candidates running in the September 13 Newcastle council elections, aged 19-24, are outraged at proposals to close down the South Newcastle Beach skate park and graffiti wall. The candidates say attacks on the skate park by Lord Mayor John Tate and state member for Newcastle Jodie McKay show their disregard for young people.

Youth candidate for Lord Mayor, Zane Alcorn, 24, and a member of Socialist Alliance, said: "Rather than demonising young people and cracking down on graffiti the council should be tackling the real issues for us in Newcastle, like youth unemployment, affordable housing and climate change."

"We're not going sit back and watch the skate park pushed out to make way for another eyesore of a development that young people can't afford to live in"

"Tate and McKay are totally out of touch. They stand at Newcastle Beach and only see the supposedly hideous skate park. We see the world's biggest coal port and that's what we think is ugly – climate vandalism."

Alcorn is a local hip-hop artist and climate change activist and a graduate of Newcastle University where he studied architecture.

"As someone who has studied both architecture and hip hop culture - which includes graffiti - I am actually more offended by a lot of the crass air conditioned boxes that get built in this city than a bit of graffiti."

Alcorn is also running for the Socialist Alliance in Ward 3 alongside Laura Ealing, 21, and Tom Cameron, 19.

All three will be available for interview and photos on Wednesday. Graffiti artists will be doing a piece at the site to defend the skate park.

Contact Zane Alcorn on 0401 466 831.