Hello, I’m Kate Gazzard.
As a paediatric doctor, I am passionate about addressing the climate crisis to protect the people I work with — our next generation. That’s why I am so proud to be a Greens-Endorsed councillor for Torquay ward at the Surf Coast Council.
My vision is that by advocating for preventative healthcare, social justice and environmental protection, we can support our community and provide a safe future for our children. I live in Jan Juc with my partner Ed, our chooks, bees and veggie garden, and I feel incredibly lucky to live in such a healthy, active community. I’m a member of the Torquay and District Landcare Group, the Surfrider Foundation and Surfers Appreciating Natural Environment group, and I have experience as a committee member on various medical councils and charity groups.
Our area is experiencing huge population growth but there are no clear strategies in place to protect and cultivate our environmental and Indigenous heritage. I stand with the Greens because we are in a climate emergency.
As your councillor, my priorities will be to:
- Build a Sustainability Framework and Action Plan in response to the declared climate emergency, establishing clear targets and creating a community advisory group to ensure accountability.
- Ensure conservation of Bells Beach and Spring Creek from inappropriate development, in consultation with the Traditional Owners of the land, to protect our coastline and forests from environmental destruction.
- Stop plastic pollution in our oceans by working towards a plastic-free Torquay and providing incentives to individuals and businesses to use sustainable reusable options rather than single-use plastics.
Please email me if you wish to discuss the important issues in our area and build a resilient, healthy future for Torquay.
