Kirsten Lesina

Candidate for Division 4

Ph: 0437 029 293

kirsten@cairns1st.org.au

Background:

Kirsten was born in Cairns in 1986, making her the fourth generation of the Lesina family to live in the city.She attended St Gerard Majella Primary School and St Mary's Catholic College in Woree. Kirsten is currently in her final year of a law degree at James Cook University Cairns Campus.

Kirsten's grandparents have lived in Earlville for over 50 years and she grew up in and around Division 4 giving her a strong connection to the area.

Kirsten's Vision for Cairns

"I would like my future children to grow up in a Cairns that still has its own unique character and I want them to be able to be proud of their home and their community.

I would also like to ensure that the natural environment is not destroyed and desecrated by environmentally unsustainable development.It should be protected and enhanced to help ensure that Cairns does not lose its natural beauty.

I am also worried about the threat climate change poses to our community and way of life and I feel that since people of my generation will have to deal with the consequences of climate change and other environmental issues, someone of my generation should be involved in the decision-making process."

Kirsten believes that:

• the local government process should be open and transparent to ensure that the community can be actively involved and able to understand what is happening in their community.Val Schier's Cairns First Alliance has a commitment to open and accountable leadership;

• young people need to be represented on Council to ensure the youth of Cairns are involved in both the political process, community activities and decisions that affect them;

• there should be better access to public transport and more footpaths and bikeways so that young people have a safe and easily accessible mode of transport, particularly on school routes; and

• Cairns' unique heritage should be preserved for future generations.