I've lived in the Dandenongs since I was 8 years old, have a partner and young son. I am passionate about the environment. I was motivated to run for council after a long running community campaign to save community based long day care.

I was elected as councillor in the Shire of Yarra Ranges (Lyster Ward) November, 2005. It was the first time in Yarra Ranges a candidate had been endorsed by a political party.

My focus has been environment, planning for sustainable townships, providing local solutions to climate change, strengthening local planning policies, early childhood development, supporting the arts and young sportspeople.

I am a member of the MAV Strategic Environment Advisory Group, Birdsland Environmental Education Centre Committee, the Shire's Environmental Reference Group, the Policy and Strategy review committee, Tree Task Force, Burrinja Community Cultural Centre.

I hope to encourage planning around sustainability principles, redressing environmental loss in the Shire, strengthening the planning scheme to stop environmental disasters, implementing local services that assist with decreasing greenhouse gas emissions (ie: Green Waste Wheelie Bins).

The Shire of Yarra Ranges unanimously resolved to become a carbon neutral shire from July 2007 on. This needs to be built on and advocated to the local community and businesses so everyone throughout the shire can take steps to reduce their ecological footprint.

Phone: 0407 364 509

Email: samanthadunn@vic.greens.org.au
http://crdunn.blogspot.com