About Me

My name is Irene Doutney.  I was your Greens representative on City
of Sydney Council, having first been elected in 2008 and re-elected in
2012. I was the Deputy Lord Mayor in 2016.

My main aim on Council was to move our city in a more innovative and
socially just direction, particularly in relation to the disadvantaged,
the environment and the cohesion of our communities. A just and
sustainable future and a city for everyone was my focus.

I
was a resident of Sydney, born in Kings Cross – and most recently a
public-housing tenant in Redfern. I had been active in my local
community as a member of the management committee of the local community
centre and the coordinating group of REDWatch, the local resident
action group.

I have degrees in History and Fine Art and worked in the
theatre, museums and parliament.  The issues of biggest concern to me were:

• Housing – a fair go for public housing tenants and support for the homeless to get back on their feet.
• Communities in Control – ensuring that decisions made by Council
  reflect the will of the community through genuine participation by
  residents and businesses, rather than simply informing people once
  decisions have been made.
• Development – making sure that the excessive influence property
  developers have over both major political parties doesn’t result in
  inappropriate development within the City of Sydney.
• Biodiversity – protecting the amazing array of life that exists in
  our country, both in natural, wild places and in the highly modified
  landscapes of our urban environments.
• LGBTI – end the discrimination that sadly still pervades parts of
  our society today and make sure that we have a city for everyone, where
  people of all orientations feel safe anywhere they go.
• Aboriginal issues – ensuring that Aboriginal Australians have access
  to all the resources that the population of a wealthy nation like ours
  take for granted.