Where do you live?
I live in Inverloch
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
I grew up in Wonthaggi and have lived in Bass Coast most of my life.
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
I have been a member of several martial arts organisations.
Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government? I stood at the last council election.
As a sitting councillor, I have had the opportunity to represent the people of Bunurong Ward over the last four years.
I live in Inverloch
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
I grew up in Wonthaggi and have lived in Bass Coast most of my life.
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
I have been a member of several martial arts organisations.
Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government? I stood at the last council election.
As a sitting councillor, I have had the opportunity to represent the people of Bunurong Ward over the last four years.
Do you belong to a political party?
Although I am a member of the Liberal Party I am not an endorsed candidate, nor did I seek endorsement. I am not running as a political party candidate. I make decisions based on my own assessment of an issue and anyone who has watched me over the last four years knows that this is how I operate.
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: Advocate for businesses to the state government.
This has never been more important. In this time of Covid-19, businesses have been smashed like never before. Restrictions have gone on longer than necessary in Bass Coast and have not taken account of the number of local active cases. Indeed, this has been the case across Gippsland. Gyms in Bass Coast will still be shut in November. So will dance class groups. Groups like this make a positive contribution to the physical and mental health of so many people including kids. We should be looking for ways to open them up, not reasons to shut them down.
Issue 2: The Surf Parade Path, Inverloch.
I have been disappointed by the inaction in relation to this project. Council conducted comprehensive community consultation for this project, probably more than for any single project in the last four years. Around three out of four people support the current extension design. Council signed off on this project more than a year ago and we have now provided for it two budgets. DELWP can’t sit on our application forever. They need to make a decision on this project.
Issue 3: Appropriate Development.
This is an important issue for most people in Bass Coast and it is an issue that many people and councillors come together on. While people have a right to make planning applications, councillors have to weigh them up and strike the right balance. There is a lot of population growth in Victoria and in the metropolitan areas. There is also a lot of population pressure on Bass Coast. Clearly the settlements of Cape Paterson and Inverloch are different to Wonthaggi. Wonthaggi is the regional centre in Bass Coast. By focusing much of the growth in Wonthaggi, we have helped the rest of the shire to resist overdevelopment. This point is not acknowledged often enough by the rest of the shire
Issue 4: Urban Footpath Gaps.
Do you live on a street without a footpath? This is a basic thing that council can remedy. It may seem like a small thing, but to the residents who live in these streets the impact can be significant. Having a decent footpath network improves the liveability of a township. They help to make a community. It is also an access and inclusion issue. It is such a simple thing to fix. Simply allocate more money towards it in the budget. We have made some improvement in our last budget, but there is much work to do here.
Issue 5: Bringing Unsealed Settlements into the 21st Century.
Do you live in an urban area with unsealed roads and no proper drainage? This council made the decision to seal Pioneer Bay. While there is a cost to residents with this, Pioneer Bay will be positively transformed. The area with the most unsealed settlements is actually Phillip Island. Roads in these areas are dusty in the summer and muddy in winter. Sealing these settlements will positively transform these communities.
Although I am a member of the Liberal Party I am not an endorsed candidate, nor did I seek endorsement. I am not running as a political party candidate. I make decisions based on my own assessment of an issue and anyone who has watched me over the last four years knows that this is how I operate.
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: Advocate for businesses to the state government.
This has never been more important. In this time of Covid-19, businesses have been smashed like never before. Restrictions have gone on longer than necessary in Bass Coast and have not taken account of the number of local active cases. Indeed, this has been the case across Gippsland. Gyms in Bass Coast will still be shut in November. So will dance class groups. Groups like this make a positive contribution to the physical and mental health of so many people including kids. We should be looking for ways to open them up, not reasons to shut them down.
Issue 2: The Surf Parade Path, Inverloch.
I have been disappointed by the inaction in relation to this project. Council conducted comprehensive community consultation for this project, probably more than for any single project in the last four years. Around three out of four people support the current extension design. Council signed off on this project more than a year ago and we have now provided for it two budgets. DELWP can’t sit on our application forever. They need to make a decision on this project.
Issue 3: Appropriate Development.
This is an important issue for most people in Bass Coast and it is an issue that many people and councillors come together on. While people have a right to make planning applications, councillors have to weigh them up and strike the right balance. There is a lot of population growth in Victoria and in the metropolitan areas. There is also a lot of population pressure on Bass Coast. Clearly the settlements of Cape Paterson and Inverloch are different to Wonthaggi. Wonthaggi is the regional centre in Bass Coast. By focusing much of the growth in Wonthaggi, we have helped the rest of the shire to resist overdevelopment. This point is not acknowledged often enough by the rest of the shire
Issue 4: Urban Footpath Gaps.
Do you live on a street without a footpath? This is a basic thing that council can remedy. It may seem like a small thing, but to the residents who live in these streets the impact can be significant. Having a decent footpath network improves the liveability of a township. They help to make a community. It is also an access and inclusion issue. It is such a simple thing to fix. Simply allocate more money towards it in the budget. We have made some improvement in our last budget, but there is much work to do here.
Issue 5: Bringing Unsealed Settlements into the 21st Century.
Do you live in an urban area with unsealed roads and no proper drainage? This council made the decision to seal Pioneer Bay. While there is a cost to residents with this, Pioneer Bay will be positively transformed. The area with the most unsealed settlements is actually Phillip Island. Roads in these areas are dusty in the summer and muddy in winter. Sealing these settlements will positively transform these communities.