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’m a Greens member running for Council as an endorsed Greens candidate.
I’m a member of BikeWest & the PTUA (Public Transport Users Association).
What is the most important issue facing your electorate?
Maribyrnong’s expected rapid population growth & how we best manage the challenges/opportunities that come with the increased density.
Should/how can Council support local businesses?
Yes, Council should support local businesses by encouraging residents to spend their hard-earned money locally in our community and by attracting visitors to our shopping strips. Council should work with traders associations to help improve the urban design and amenity of our commercial areas. Council should also be discouraging land banking and ensuring that valuable land in our commercial hubs are developed in a way that strengthens the economic viability of our local businesses.
Should/how can Council support local creatives and industries?
Yes! Council should be promoting and encouraging the arts, via grants, facilities & festivals. Good governance structures should be put in place to ensure that these initiatives deliver the intended impact.
Should/how can Council help alleviate the impact of climate extremes on local communities and ecosystems?
A council that cares about its residents should factor in the warming climate into its suburbs & buildings. It should be planting more trees & laying less asphalt. It should provide free & ready access to cool places during heatwaves. It should be encouraging better building design that keep our homes cooler in Summer.
…and, it should absolutely be ensuring that the CO2 emissions generated by Council and its residents are reduced as quickly as possible – green electricity, sustainable travel & getting off gas.
Should/how can Council help alleviate cost of living and homelessness?
A Council that cares should be easing the burden on residents who are doing it tough.
It should encourage the construction of affordable housing, including public housing on public land.
It can be proud to provide services to those who need them.
It has a real ability to improve family budgets by providing safe & effective transport options to families that are otherwise forced to own multiple cars.
What should Council stop spending money on?
The state government mandated ‘rate cap’ & inflationary pressures make balancing the Council budget more difficult with every passing year. I’m not willing to make difficult decisions on what Council may need to stop spending money on without having sat down with Council officers to go through the budget with a fine-toothed comb.
That said, I have seen that Maribyrnong Council’s road projects do not work hand in hand with Council’s tree-planting and green space programs. Instead they blindly rebuild our existing streets according to 1960s designs without consideration of the changed needs of the community who use them today. I believe there’s a real opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, by repairing our roads and greening our neighbourhoods at the same time.
Should the public be allowed to ask live, unscripted questions of councillors during council meetings?
I support allowing residents to speak at Council meetings, and to ask their own questions at public question time.
I’d also like Council to make it easier for residents to see the results of YourCityYourVoice consultations.
Can you please provide a short personal statement detailing what your priorities are if elected, and what your vision for your electorate looks like.
My personal priority is to work my arse off for the people of Maribyrnong; you deserve nothing less of your Councillors.
My council priorities are to create attractive & vibrant commercial areas where people are prioritised, that are linked to the rest of the municipality by safe transport options that are accessible to all residents, regardless of age, ability or financial means.
