David Rooks, Island Ward Where do you live?
Ventnor
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
20 years
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
During my time on Phillip Island I have volunteered for three years as President of Phillip Island Kindergarten, one year on School Council and another three as President of Scouts. Currently I’m serving as President of Phillip Island Tennis Club (one year) and President of Phillip Island Landcare (four years). I love playing tennis and caring for the land is a passion of mine. I value the importance of community groups and look forward to working with them to achieve their goals.
When living in Melbourne I was a ‘big brother’ to a young child for a number of years.
Ventnor
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
20 years
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
During my time on Phillip Island I have volunteered for three years as President of Phillip Island Kindergarten, one year on School Council and another three as President of Scouts. Currently I’m serving as President of Phillip Island Tennis Club (one year) and President of Phillip Island Landcare (four years). I love playing tennis and caring for the land is a passion of mine. I value the importance of community groups and look forward to working with them to achieve their goals.
When living in Melbourne I was a ‘big brother’ to a young child for a number of years.
Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
No
Do you belong to a political party?
NO
Name the five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you think the council should tackle them. Please keep responses to no more than 200 words per issue.
Issue 1: Climate change.
The effect on climate change on coastal regions around the World is taking place now as our waters rise. Bass Coast Shire is no different. The erosion of our coastal region is apparent throughout the shire. Our council must continue to advocate for State and Federal support to help reduce the effects of climate change on our coast. Our Shire should be congratulated for declaring a climate emergency and for its development of the Climate Change Action Plan. The next council must deliver on the actions within that plan.
Issue 2: Inappropriate residential development.
We must stop any more extensions to our town boundaries. Any residential development already approved through current Council structural plans should be along the lines of the Cape Paterson Eco Village. It should be spacious, environmentally sound and attractive to the eye. Furthermore we must protect the unique characteristics of each Island Ward town. All of the above can be achieved when reviewing the relevant council structural plans.
Issue 3: An appropriate balance between environment, economy and community.
For too long the environment has suffered at the hands of the economy. Pleasingly the key stakeholders of our local community have recognised the environment underpins our economy and community. This was affirmed through the release of the Phillip Island and San Remo Visitor Economy Strategy 2016. Council must continue the implementation of this strategy and its focus on nature based tourism.
Issue 4: Developing year round tourism.
This is important for both the environment and the business that rely on visitors. There is a limit to the number of people our Island can logistically manage on a given day. Currently we heavily exceed that limit at certain peak holiday periods and fall well below that limit throughout the remainder of the year. We need to spread out the load and build our visitor numbers in the quieter periods. Again the Phillip Island and San Remo Visitor Economy Strategy 2016 developed a number of strategies to achieve this and its implementation should be continued.
Issue 5: AGL plans for a floating gas terminal in Western Port Bay must be stopped.
The AGL plant will leave irreversible damage to our surrounding Island waters and its inhabitants. The council must continue its advocacy against this proposed project.
No
Do you belong to a political party?
NO
Name the five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you think the council should tackle them. Please keep responses to no more than 200 words per issue.
Issue 1: Climate change.
The effect on climate change on coastal regions around the World is taking place now as our waters rise. Bass Coast Shire is no different. The erosion of our coastal region is apparent throughout the shire. Our council must continue to advocate for State and Federal support to help reduce the effects of climate change on our coast. Our Shire should be congratulated for declaring a climate emergency and for its development of the Climate Change Action Plan. The next council must deliver on the actions within that plan.
Issue 2: Inappropriate residential development.
We must stop any more extensions to our town boundaries. Any residential development already approved through current Council structural plans should be along the lines of the Cape Paterson Eco Village. It should be spacious, environmentally sound and attractive to the eye. Furthermore we must protect the unique characteristics of each Island Ward town. All of the above can be achieved when reviewing the relevant council structural plans.
Issue 3: An appropriate balance between environment, economy and community.
For too long the environment has suffered at the hands of the economy. Pleasingly the key stakeholders of our local community have recognised the environment underpins our economy and community. This was affirmed through the release of the Phillip Island and San Remo Visitor Economy Strategy 2016. Council must continue the implementation of this strategy and its focus on nature based tourism.
Issue 4: Developing year round tourism.
This is important for both the environment and the business that rely on visitors. There is a limit to the number of people our Island can logistically manage on a given day. Currently we heavily exceed that limit at certain peak holiday periods and fall well below that limit throughout the remainder of the year. We need to spread out the load and build our visitor numbers in the quieter periods. Again the Phillip Island and San Remo Visitor Economy Strategy 2016 developed a number of strategies to achieve this and its implementation should be continued.
Issue 5: AGL plans for a floating gas terminal in Western Port Bay must be stopped.
The AGL plant will leave irreversible damage to our surrounding Island waters and its inhabitants. The council must continue its advocacy against this proposed project.