Colin Dawson has lived with his family in the Mitchell electorate for 15 years, with his son completing all of his schooling in the area. Previously his mother lived in Castle Hill for 10 years, giving Colin a 25-year connection with the Hills.

From high school, Colin gained employment an apprentice with Qantas. Traveling from the Blue Mountains to the airport every day, he developed a keen interest in transport, even as teenager.

After completing avionics qualifications at Sydney TAFE, Colin completed a Communications degree at UTS, studying part time while working as a journalist and technical writer for a range of companies, from start-ups to multinationals.

Colin now manages a home-based business “Info Action”, with his work leading to an international “Best in Show” award and many conference presentations in Australia and the US.

Slick, massively-funded publicity by fossil fuel companies on the global warming issue motivated Colin to join The Greens. His interest in public transport has continued and he is now a member of the Western Sydney Public Transport Users group. In the past few years, he has commuted by foot, bicycle, bus, train, ferry, car and motorcycle.

Colin believes passionately that the Australian suburban way of life can be compatible with sustainable living. He has over 20 fruit and nut trees, as well as a flock of backyard chickens. He also conducts interviews for 90.5 2CCR-FM on home sustainability issues.

The Federal seat of Mitchell has been poorly represented in the past, having missed out on critical infrastructure opportunities. Colin believes that residents have unfairly been left at the mercy of toll road operators and deprived of efficient public transport. At the same time, the North-West has been subjected to unrealistic pressure to increase population density. The two issues must be balanced: infrastructure must match population.

A vote for Colin Dawson and The Greens is a vote for sustainable development in the North-West of Sydney.