Are you a member of a political party, political group, or community advocacy group?
I am not a member of any political party or group. I have been an active member of various advocacy groups on previous issues (including Don’t Destroy Millers Road & the Brooklyn Community Representative Group BCRG).
What is the most important issue facing your electorate?
Legacy industry & transport impacts.
Should/how can Council support local businesses?
Yes. By supporting initiatives and advocating at a State Level for modernisation of industry and streets that provide clean space, better environment and local jobs and accessibility.
Should/how can Council support local creatives and industries?
Absolutely and this can be a mutually beneficial arrangement – drawing visitors and alternative revenue streams to the community as well as local work and liveability.
Should/how can Council help alleviate the impact of climate extremes on local communities and ecosystems?
Council can help alleviate extremes yes, however ultimately delivering real action on climate, supporting residents and businesses in this goal and reducing the worst potential future scenarios are the only rational long term solution.
Should/how can Council help alleviate cost of living and homelessness?
Council has a role to play in this space. Critically, the council should be engaging with current best practice and research in this space – such as that by Leanne Mitchell. This starts with basic steps: quantifying the issue in and around our area and then developing systematic measures to organise your response. This issue is real and growing in our communities, there is no place for hiding our heads in the sand.
What should Council stop spending money on?
Council delivers a multitude of services across the community, including some that many of us may never even have considered. Ultimately council and staff deliver a vital role, what is most important is that Council focus their spending on the areas where they can directly impact on their community and liveability. There is a place for council to support communities impacted by wider and international events, however our role as council is to deliver on the ground services for the local community.
Should the public be allowed to ask live, unscripted questions of councillors during council meetings?
No. There is a place for questions and engagement with the public is critical – turning meetings into a chaotic place of work does not enhance the decision making process or accountability of council.
Can you please provide a short personal statement detailing what your priorities are if elected, and what your vision for your electorate looks like.
Altona North Ward in Hobsons Bay represents a diverse mix of industrial, residential and community areas expected to grow by 20% over the next 12 years; the area faces challenges that require advocacy on issues that local Government can directly impact. Council should be delivering projects that make our community safer, more vibrant and liveable. When elected I will support affordable housing, addressing the significant shortfall in public transport service and priority, streets and infrastructure designed for safety along with a council that pushes for accountability at a state level to deliver the services and opportunities we deserve. I’m particularly committed to sustainability and believe that the council’s role in the climate change crisis needs to involve real, science based tangible action and accountability across the ward and whole LGA as well as providing leadership and assistance to the broader community on these matters.
