Michael Whelan, Island Ward Where do you live?
Cowes Island Ward
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
A residence here for 25 years permanently 2009
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
CFA volunteer, Surf Beach Community Park Committee, South Coast Community Planning, Founder Bass Coast Acoustic Music Club
Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Yes, 2016 for Bass Coast Shire Council (elected)
Do you belong to a political party?
No.
Cowes Island Ward
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
A residence here for 25 years permanently 2009
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
CFA volunteer, Surf Beach Community Park Committee, South Coast Community Planning, Founder Bass Coast Acoustic Music Club
Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Yes, 2016 for Bass Coast Shire Council (elected)
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.
Issue 1: Climate Emergency
Council declared an emergency and made the strongest commitment to action on emissions reduction and climate change adaptation. An ambitious community target has been set and Council has committed to work closely with the community to achieve it. (the opportunity)
The situation is urgent, but it is important to maintain a clear and positive message. The Climate Emergency Plan provides high level direction and the pathway to zero emissions and an adapted community. Support for business and community groups across the Shire is mandatory.
Projects that will assist the community achieve zero emissions and become resilient include:
A smart approach to climate change will generate new businesses and jobs, not only must we do it but we can maximise the positive outcomes for community.
Issue 2: Environment
The preparation of the Statement of Planning Policy under the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes declaration is nearing completion. It will set town boundaries in legislation and protect sensitive areas. Briefings during preparation have been light on and vigilance will be required to ensure the aspirations that led to seeking this declaration are fulfilled, that there is not boundary creep and all areas noted as significant by the community are included.
Coastal erosion remains a critical issue and requires urgent action in hotpots like Cowes east and Shire wide pre-planning.
The Significant Tree Register must be completed and adopted early in Council’s term.
Issue 3: Local Economy
A rewrite of the Economic Development strategy is due, understanding the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic. It requires a focus on the future while maximising the local benefit of government support and stimulus. The Cowes Cultural Centre $19 million investment could not be better timed but contracts for it should stipulate a requirement for a proportion of the workforce to be trainees and apprentices.
The new strategy while not neglecting the model must move us toward a wider set of business interests:
A Business Innovation Hub would greatly assist in expanding the local spread of business. Bass Coast has an excellent mix of current and retired high achievers in business, engineering, and science who could participate.
Acknowledging the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on young people it would be a place to share knowledge and wisdom with mentors and an innovation panel helping explore the sharing economy and social enterprise models.
Ideally the Hub would be based in a new Library providing collaboration space, leading edge communications and research assistance. This complements the new Bass Coast University hub that will produce graduates with an interest in a local career.
Issue 4: Arts and Culture
There is a renaissance already occurring in the local arts scene, Council has a good strategy that can assist this to flourish. Projects like the Cowes Cultural Centre and the redevelopment of the Wonthaggi High School site will be game changers for the arts, they will support the full range of visual to performing local artists. They will also add richness to the local arts scene by exposing us to the best in the world.
The ability to do ephemeral exhibitions in the new spaces will be enhanced although I loved the creativeness of the pop up art exhibitions that have occurred over recent years and hope to see that continue. There is a great opportunity to extend public art including three dimensional art by including our artists in development plans for example for the new site on Gap Road.
Issue 5: Active Transport
Active Transport is investing in our future. The increased numbers of people cycling during the Covid lockdown show that residents and holiday homeowners have a strong interest in cycling. The problem is the existing cycling infrastructure is simply not adequate or safe enough.
Priorities are:
Issue 1: Climate Emergency
Council declared an emergency and made the strongest commitment to action on emissions reduction and climate change adaptation. An ambitious community target has been set and Council has committed to work closely with the community to achieve it. (the opportunity)
The situation is urgent, but it is important to maintain a clear and positive message. The Climate Emergency Plan provides high level direction and the pathway to zero emissions and an adapted community. Support for business and community groups across the Shire is mandatory.
Projects that will assist the community achieve zero emissions and become resilient include:
- Community energy projects to control electricity cost increases
- Community farm/food hub – enhance local food security
- Local Waste recovery
- Food and organic processing
- Building materials and enhanced container recovery
A smart approach to climate change will generate new businesses and jobs, not only must we do it but we can maximise the positive outcomes for community.
Issue 2: Environment
The preparation of the Statement of Planning Policy under the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes declaration is nearing completion. It will set town boundaries in legislation and protect sensitive areas. Briefings during preparation have been light on and vigilance will be required to ensure the aspirations that led to seeking this declaration are fulfilled, that there is not boundary creep and all areas noted as significant by the community are included.
Coastal erosion remains a critical issue and requires urgent action in hotpots like Cowes east and Shire wide pre-planning.
The Significant Tree Register must be completed and adopted early in Council’s term.
Issue 3: Local Economy
A rewrite of the Economic Development strategy is due, understanding the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic. It requires a focus on the future while maximising the local benefit of government support and stimulus. The Cowes Cultural Centre $19 million investment could not be better timed but contracts for it should stipulate a requirement for a proportion of the workforce to be trainees and apprentices.
The new strategy while not neglecting the model must move us toward a wider set of business interests:
A Business Innovation Hub would greatly assist in expanding the local spread of business. Bass Coast has an excellent mix of current and retired high achievers in business, engineering, and science who could participate.
Acknowledging the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on young people it would be a place to share knowledge and wisdom with mentors and an innovation panel helping explore the sharing economy and social enterprise models.
Ideally the Hub would be based in a new Library providing collaboration space, leading edge communications and research assistance. This complements the new Bass Coast University hub that will produce graduates with an interest in a local career.
Issue 4: Arts and Culture
There is a renaissance already occurring in the local arts scene, Council has a good strategy that can assist this to flourish. Projects like the Cowes Cultural Centre and the redevelopment of the Wonthaggi High School site will be game changers for the arts, they will support the full range of visual to performing local artists. They will also add richness to the local arts scene by exposing us to the best in the world.
The ability to do ephemeral exhibitions in the new spaces will be enhanced although I loved the creativeness of the pop up art exhibitions that have occurred over recent years and hope to see that continue. There is a great opportunity to extend public art including three dimensional art by including our artists in development plans for example for the new site on Gap Road.
Issue 5: Active Transport
Active Transport is investing in our future. The increased numbers of people cycling during the Covid lockdown show that residents and holiday homeowners have a strong interest in cycling. The problem is the existing cycling infrastructure is simply not adequate or safe enough.
- Cycling & walking have significant benefits for health and wellbeing
- A substitute for car travel Active Transport reduces congestion and carbon emissions
- Cycling is the single most effective intervention to reduce childhood obesity (Vic Cycling Strategy 2018-28)
- Cycling must be safe for people to choose to ride
Priorities are:
- An off road shared path from Cowes to Summerlands
- Safe cycle lanes on Thompson Ave and bicycle parking