Melinda Lawton, first on the GREENS ticket

Melinda leads this diverse and committed group. Her family moved to Jamberoo in 1976, attending Jamberoo Public School and graduated from Kiama High. Melinda moved to Sydney to work in television around 1987. 

She is an accomplished executive leader and design specialist with a wealth of experience in project management, design and construction sectors. She sees herself as a team player, specialising in finding creative solutions to complex problems.

As part of her consulting work, Melinda currently works alongside Waminda, an accomplished prominent Koori female-led Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing organisation, leading the way and providing holistic services with wrap-around support for their Shoalhaven community.

Melinda is acutely aware of the major tasks facing the next Council: finding long-term financial stability while sustainably managing the growth pressures in the area. She is committed to working constructively to heal the divisions that characterised the last Council term and help the community regain trust in the Council. 



The GREENS candidates are very aware that the last council term was characterised by decisions that split the community and created disharmony within the council. Some in the community now feel distrust, with others left confused by processes that were clearly, not open and transparent.

The next term of Council requires a viable long term financial plan to be developed, achievement of the Performance Improvement Order tasks and commencement of the Growth and Housing Strategy.

For these programs to succeed, Councillors and staff must work together respectfully to avoid the internal division we have recently seen.

The community must also feel that it is trusted and heard throughout the change process.

The Growth and Housing Strategy has the potential to change the character of the whole area. The community needs confidence that the change ahead will not reduce local amenity and quality of life for existing residents.

Kiama Greens have a rich, thirty-year history of representation on Council, working to ensure that community values are part of all decision making.

Electing this team as councillors in September will continue that history of representation.

For further information, contact Melinda Lawton on 0403201968 or email the candidates via [email protected] or our website at https://kiamagreens.org.au