Melissa McArdle

We’re speeding downhill towards the election now, so it was opportunistic that Melissa McArdle, Greens candidate for Moorooka Ward was campaigning outside a nearby pre-poll centre giving Kurt (from Brisbane South BUG) the opportunity for a catch-up. Melissa put her hand up as a Moorooka Ward candidate after seeing how much impact the cost of living is having on people. Transportation costs aren’t the only factor, but it does have a significant impact on people’s budget, made worse if we’re not giving people realistic transit alternatives (like for example by bike) to get where they need to go.

Melissa is also a acutely aware of how much our natural environment is being degraded. Kurt mentioned the Toohey Forest Wildlife group who have been documenting the destruction of core koala habitat, done with the sole purpose of expanding QE2 Hospital’s huge carpark. If only the people who work there had better transport options!

Congestion was also discussed, and how a city doesn’t function if everyone drives a car. Melissa talked about her time in different countries and how people’s choice of transport is really a product of the infrastructure investments that politicians choose to make. A good reminder as we head to the voting booth to check if what we value aligns with the policies put forward by candidates and the different political parties.