Are you a member of a political party, political group, or community advocacy group? (eg; Labor, Liberal, Greens, Socialist, My Place, Angry Victorians, Better West, environment groups, etc)
I am a member of the Victorian Greens and volunteer with Friends of Kororoit Creek which does important work of protecting, restoring and enhancing the Kororoit Creek corridor.
What is the most important issue facing your electorate?
From conversations I’ve been having with residents the last few months, three key issues have consistently been raised to me are: housing affordability, cost-of-living and lack of investment in the west. Many residents are struggling with rising rent, housing instability, rising mortgage rates whilst also juggling rising costs in utilities and groceries. For the last year, the Greens have been calling on the Labor government to implement a 2-year rent freeze and make unlimited rent increases illegal.
Victoria has the lowest proportion of affordable housing in the country. This is a critical social and economic issue that Council has a role in alleviating. To increase the supply of affordable housing, it is vital that there is access to affordable and appropriate land. It is the role of state government and local government to provide this. However, instead of protecting and increasing public housing, the Labor government is demolishing 44 public housing towers in a housing crisis, it is unfathomable. This is where councils can and should step in to provide affordable housing options where the Labor government is not. Already, many councils are tapping into their land resources. Brimbank City Council can work with community housing agencies to utilise council land to provide long-term stable affordable housing.
There is consistent sentiment amongst Brimbank residents that there is a real lack of investment in the west. Lack of reliable and frequent public transport, safe footpaths and pedestrian crossings, youth engagement programs, green spaces and creative arts initiatives. Brimbank City Council could for example invest in a community youth and arts hub by utilising the old Sunshine High school site and upgrade the Transmission line linear park by restoring native plants and building community gardens.
Should/how can Council support local businesses?
It is the role of Councils to support the local community, this includes local businesses. Councils can play a significant role in supporting local businesses thrive through a range of tools and initiatives such as grants and funding programs. Local councils can offer grants and financial assistance programs to help small businesses start up, grow and overcome economic challenges.
Councils can also partner with organisations to offer financial and business mentoring services and workshops which can cover topics such as financial management, marketing and employee management.
Many businesses owners struggle with the often-complex permits and processes, so Brimbank City Council should look at streamlining processes relating to permits, zoning and regulations which can help reduce the bureaucratic load on business owners. This will make it easier to start new businesses and existing businesses to grow.
Importantly, if Council invests in public infrastructures like transport, parking and accessibility, it would be more accessible for locals to access local businesses. Improvements to local infrastructure can also enhance the overall business environment.
Should/how can Council support local creatives and industries?
My response above also applies here. Council should definitely support local creative artists and industries, as investing into the creative arts can foster a thriving, diverse and sustainable creative arts sector that would enrich the Brimbank community culturally and economically. Besides funding and grants for creative projects, support for local arts festivals and events, mentorship programs and business support programs, it is also crucial for council to invest in access to affordable art spaces (such as community arts hub as mentioned previously). Council could also support public art programs by commissioning local artists to create installations or murals in public spaces. This not only beautifies the community but will showcase local talent. Brimbank City Council could also partner with local schools and education institutions to create opportunities for arts education and career development in creative fields by connecting students to working artists through workshops and apprenticeships or arts competitions.
Should/how can Council help alleviate the impact of climate extremes on local communities and ecosystems?
Local residents are already feeling the impacts of climate change as severe weather events are increasingly prevalent and increase in severity. Having spent over 3 years as a volunteer for VICSES, I have experienced firsthand the devastation and damage of climate induced weather events. It is Council’s responsibility to work with emergency management agencies and climate experts to develop a strong climate and disaster risk management plan. Besides having a strong risk management plan, Brimbank Council should consider sustainable urban planning and development, specifically encouraging green building standards by mandating energy-efficient building designs that incorporate sustainable concepts such as solar panels, green roofs or green walls and use of sustainable materials. Council should also promote development in areas less prone to climate risks like flooding or bushfires.
Council can also reduce the carbon footprint of the community by investing in energy efficiency programs such as grants/rebates for households and businesses, use of LED street lighting and educational campaigns.
Equally important is biodiversity protection and restoration of the ecosystem through programs and working with existing community groups such as reforestation and tree-planting, investing in habitat corridors by upgrading existing parks such as the Transmission line linear reserve.
Should/how can Council help alleviate cost of living and homelessness?
Building on my response to an earlier question, Council can invest in initiatives and has tools to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and homelessness. Besides providing affordable and public housing by use of council land, council needs to work with the relevant organisations to provide more community services that will contribute to decreasing homelessness, this includes bulk-billing GP and affordable mental health services, crisis support, drug and alcohol services and youth engagement.
To tackle the cost-of-living crisis, Brimbank City Council should partner with organisations, businesses and TAFE and universities to foster local employment programs, provide business grants, and skills training. Council can also help alleviate financial burdens on households by investing in more community gardens and urban development around Albion and Sunshine West and partner with community organisations to provide food and material aid.
What should Council stop spending money on?
Without having sat down with other councillors, council staff, executives and without having gone through a community consultation, I am hesitant to advise currently on what Brimbank City Council should stop spending funds on. Rather I would say Council should consult with staff and with the community to measure the effectiveness of services provided and look at allocation of resources accordingly. No money to spend on any enterprise associated with arms to Israel. We want a ceasefire. Council should also spread spending equitably across all wards, and invest in areas such as Sunshine West and Albion.
Should the public be allowed to ask live, unscripted questions of councillors during council meetings?
To promote democratic and civil engagement, residents should be allowed to ask questions of councillors during council meetings. However, to ensure that time is allocated equitably and to ensure the wellbeing of councillors, residents should submit their questions to council before the meeting e.g. up until an hour before meeting starts.
Can you please provide a short personal statement detailing what your priorities are if elected, and what your vision for your electorate looks like.
I’m a human rights activist, and I’m a domestic violence survivor. I grew up in public housing and spent most of my adult life living paycheck to paycheck and experiencing housing stress. Spending years as a VICSES volunteer and working in the reproductive and sexual health sector, I am passionate about disaster management, and gender and sexual health rights. We’re all struggling with the cost-of-living and rental/housing crisis, which is why we need our council to do more for our community. As your Greens councillor, I’ll bring my experience fighting for constituents. I’ll prioritise:
[1] expanding essential services and infrastructure such as affordable housing, maternal health, community childcare, libraries, youth services and recreation like sporting facilities and playgrounds;
[2] bringing down your power bills and taking climate action through growing our green spaces, solar bulk-buying, and stronger climate management strategies, including for renters, and supporting households to get off gas;
[3] investing in safe walking and cycling infrastructure like separated bike lanes, safer pedestrian crossings and footpaths;
[4] embracing multicultural and migrant communities by pushing for more community hubs and social cohesion initiatives.
My vision for Brimbank is an empowered and diverse community that is thriving, sustainable and where everyone has all the necessities to live dignified and comfortable lives. Put our community first, vote [1] Lucy Nguyen.
