Trish Cerini, Island Ward Where do you live?
I live in Beach Street, Cowes
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
We have been holiday residents since 2004 and permanent residents since 2009, we love the island.
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
I have been involved in Investment Real Estate, having our own business in Surrey Hills Melbourne for 20 years, I know the importance and work involved in a thriving business. I have also been involved with running our Owners Corporation and Property Management business, and over the last years as an appointed Secretary of a Body Corporate committee.
I live in Beach Street, Cowes
How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
We have been holiday residents since 2004 and permanent residents since 2009, we love the island.
What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
I have been involved in Investment Real Estate, having our own business in Surrey Hills Melbourne for 20 years, I know the importance and work involved in a thriving business. I have also been involved with running our Owners Corporation and Property Management business, and over the last years as an appointed Secretary of a Body Corporate committee.
In 2018, I was instrumental in starting the Save our Beaches campaign, to stop the car ferry on the beach in Cowes West; we eventually had great success. I am also a member of the Phillip Island Dog Owners Association where we believe our beaches should allow our loved dogs to run free, such as our golden retriever Zoe, but also with respect to others.
Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
No, I have never stood for election previously.
Do you belong to a political party?
No, I do not belong to any particular political party.
Name the five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you think the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: Business support
Our island businesses need our full support to ‘live local buy local’, there are many programs that are promoting residents to ensure our produce comes from our local farms, they are family run businesses on our island. I believe council could create a program to work with our businesses to create more year round events that encourage our island to thrive and grow on a daily basis.
Issue 2: Erosion
Our beaches need council to work with rate payers to ensure erosion is being addressed and attended to urgently; our beaches are calling out for help, especially Cowes West, with no recovery to date to protect our coastline. As a rate payer and resident there, nothing is done year after year – this is urgent and we should all be involved and have the council act quickly. Our foreshore needs attention, in Summer fires are lit by holiday makers in amongst the tea trees, there is dead wood which could ignite and flame up at any time, also endangering our homes.
Issue 3: Consultation
I believe rate payers should feel they are involved and consulted, in all matters on our island. Council need to be totally transparent, allowing residents’ concerns to be heard, working together; our islanders need to be encouraged to be involved and listened to. Our garbage collection requests are not being heard, nor are our dog ownership groups, these are important resident matters and promotes a healthy lifestyle for us all, and our dogs.
Issue 4: Community Arts and Crafts Gallery
With the new Cultural Centre design, our Community Arts and Crafts Gallery need a designated permanent area, a community enterprise space, within the centre, they have been involved for 27 years and I myself have these various art pieces displayed in our home. Island residents art and craft are an important component of our island, we have many various talented individuals residing here, we need to treat their creativity with the enjoyment & respect they deserve.
Issue 5: Ecotourism
We need to service families and all residents by completing and connecting bike paths around the island. Council can join in with the many young groups and hear what they have to say, hear their requests and ensure their ideas are worked with and implemented, give them hope of an outdoor plan which promotes health and wellbeing for islanders and visitors all year round. Our beach carparks need to be upgraded and sealed, with appropriate rubbish and recycling bins provided to minimise our human impact on the environment. In addition all of our sporting facilities need to be upgraded including a Cowes skate park and swimming pool. These would have more use than an upgraded cultural centre.
Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
No, I have never stood for election previously.
Do you belong to a political party?
No, I do not belong to any particular political party.
Name the five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you think the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: Business support
Our island businesses need our full support to ‘live local buy local’, there are many programs that are promoting residents to ensure our produce comes from our local farms, they are family run businesses on our island. I believe council could create a program to work with our businesses to create more year round events that encourage our island to thrive and grow on a daily basis.
Issue 2: Erosion
Our beaches need council to work with rate payers to ensure erosion is being addressed and attended to urgently; our beaches are calling out for help, especially Cowes West, with no recovery to date to protect our coastline. As a rate payer and resident there, nothing is done year after year – this is urgent and we should all be involved and have the council act quickly. Our foreshore needs attention, in Summer fires are lit by holiday makers in amongst the tea trees, there is dead wood which could ignite and flame up at any time, also endangering our homes.
Issue 3: Consultation
I believe rate payers should feel they are involved and consulted, in all matters on our island. Council need to be totally transparent, allowing residents’ concerns to be heard, working together; our islanders need to be encouraged to be involved and listened to. Our garbage collection requests are not being heard, nor are our dog ownership groups, these are important resident matters and promotes a healthy lifestyle for us all, and our dogs.
Issue 4: Community Arts and Crafts Gallery
With the new Cultural Centre design, our Community Arts and Crafts Gallery need a designated permanent area, a community enterprise space, within the centre, they have been involved for 27 years and I myself have these various art pieces displayed in our home. Island residents art and craft are an important component of our island, we have many various talented individuals residing here, we need to treat their creativity with the enjoyment & respect they deserve.
Issue 5: Ecotourism
We need to service families and all residents by completing and connecting bike paths around the island. Council can join in with the many young groups and hear what they have to say, hear their requests and ensure their ideas are worked with and implemented, give them hope of an outdoor plan which promotes health and wellbeing for islanders and visitors all year round. Our beach carparks need to be upgraded and sealed, with appropriate rubbish and recycling bins provided to minimise our human impact on the environment. In addition all of our sporting facilities need to be upgraded including a Cowes skate park and swimming pool. These would have more use than an upgraded cultural centre.