Black & White .Irene Doutney A Green Government

Ms Doutney is an arts history major who has worked for the Powerhouse Museum, the Australian Greens' developer donations campaign, newspapers and for various social outreach organisations in inner Sydney.

Ms Doutney would like to see increased council resources for affordable housing, drug and alcohol support, outreach for public housing

residents, health care partnerships with the state government, a cap on large developments and incentives for sustainable development.

"A big issue for me is social justice and I think Sydney is such a rich city, with so many disadvantaged groups," she said.

"I would like to see the council diverting resources from advertising and self-promotion into things like rehab centres, wet and dry alcohol centres and mental health.

"I also think the social outreach areas are especially important for the large number of public housing residents we have.

"All these things are really achievable and I think the Lord Mayor's 2030 plan has started the conversation already, so now we need to actually get in there and make it happen."

Greens councillor Chris Harris welcomed Ms Doutney's candidacy. "I come from a business background and Irene is from a public housing [and community services] background," Cr Harris said.

"She has a keen sense of social justice and seeks to represent those who don't have a voice."

Ms Doutney said while she believed the existing team of independents on council lead by Clover Moore had achieved much since taking office, she was not afraid to offer criticism.

"I find when I go and look at council, it's really very much the cult of personality and focused around the Lord Mayor," she said.

"I would like to see the council more democratised [with] more emphasis on social programs."

Ms Doutney said she faces a formidable task in the election.

"Last time we only missed out by a few hundred votes so we believe the position is winnable."

Picture: Phil Rogers - Irene Doutney is standing for the Greens in the Sydney Council elections.