Brett Tessari (pictured with Chelsea from The Muffin Lady)is a candidate for the Bunurong Ward in the Bass Coast
Shire Council election.
1. Where do you live?
Wonthaggi
2. How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
I have lived here all my life, 55 years, I am 3rd generation.
3. What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
I am on Rotary, I also give up my time either as a volunteer auctioneer or MC for numerous community events, I have been a committee member and President of local football, on a number of boards, and chairman of the inaugural board at the Gippsland League. In my role as Mayor I also represented Bass Coast on several boards.
Wonthaggi
2. How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
I have lived here all my life, 55 years, I am 3rd generation.
3. What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
I am on Rotary, I also give up my time either as a volunteer auctioneer or MC for numerous community events, I have been a committee member and President of local football, on a number of boards, and chairman of the inaugural board at the Gippsland League. In my role as Mayor I also represented Bass Coast on several boards.
4. What experience or attributes do you bring that will help you in the role of shire councillor?
The past eight years either as councillor, deputy Mayor or Mayor for 3 years. My knowledge of governance either at council level or board level, my ability to negotiate with politicians or department heads while advocating for council needs.
5. Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Yes, previous 2 council elections where I was successful and the last state election where I was unsuccessful in winning but gained 13% of the vote from a zero starting point.
6. Do you belong to a political party?
I am currently a member of the National Party but am not endorsed or representing them at local level, I can and will always vote for what I believe is the good of my town, ward and shire.
7. Are you directing preferences?
No I am not but I do strongly believe it is time to stay calm, be responsible and use a little common sense. We need experience and a calm head right now. It is easy to bang drums and tell people what they want to hear, we need someone who can get it done.
8. Name up to five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you believe the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: Housing
Lack of housing is a major issue, it is across the shire as it is state and federally. It is an issue that needs multi levels of government and commercial venture to work together to fix. Land needs to be released, whether that be crown land and red tape needs to be eased to allow for building. We need to encourage development, developers to work with council for readily for the good of the community.
Issue 2: Coastal Erosion
It’s a massive issue for the whole of the shire and again, state and federally. Again it needs all levels of government working together. It is not as easy as some might say to fix but if we don’t get it right we risk loss of life, infrastructure and more coastline.
Issue 3: Financial hardship
Times are getting harder, money is tighter, people are doing it hard. We will be facing rates hardship, businesses will struggle because there will be less disposable income. We are going to need a sensible and experienced council to oversee all this. The money that has been previously given by state has gotten tougher. Over the past 8 years we have been so lucky with the renewal or rebuild of so many community facilities, and now is the time to just consolidate.
Issue 4: Lack of wrap around medical services for the area.
We have a magnificent new hospital in Wonthaggi but still struggle to attract professionals to service it. Locals still struggle to get the same service here as in the city.
Issue 5: Employment
We need to as a council attract more employers to the area through incentives for business. We need to be more effective helping the current businesses to be more efficient and sustainable to encourage their growth. That might mean growing the current department we have.
9. Name the one thing you would most like to achieve if you are elected a Bass Coast Shire councillor.
A sustainable Bass Coast where we can all afford to live, we can all have a house over our head, we can all get along and be seen as equals no matter what race, gender or beliefs. Bass Coast is the most amazing place to live, we need to embrace that and strive forward as a community. We can do it, it can be achieved.
The past eight years either as councillor, deputy Mayor or Mayor for 3 years. My knowledge of governance either at council level or board level, my ability to negotiate with politicians or department heads while advocating for council needs.
5. Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Yes, previous 2 council elections where I was successful and the last state election where I was unsuccessful in winning but gained 13% of the vote from a zero starting point.
6. Do you belong to a political party?
I am currently a member of the National Party but am not endorsed or representing them at local level, I can and will always vote for what I believe is the good of my town, ward and shire.
7. Are you directing preferences?
No I am not but I do strongly believe it is time to stay calm, be responsible and use a little common sense. We need experience and a calm head right now. It is easy to bang drums and tell people what they want to hear, we need someone who can get it done.
8. Name up to five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you believe the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: Housing
Lack of housing is a major issue, it is across the shire as it is state and federally. It is an issue that needs multi levels of government and commercial venture to work together to fix. Land needs to be released, whether that be crown land and red tape needs to be eased to allow for building. We need to encourage development, developers to work with council for readily for the good of the community.
Issue 2: Coastal Erosion
It’s a massive issue for the whole of the shire and again, state and federally. Again it needs all levels of government working together. It is not as easy as some might say to fix but if we don’t get it right we risk loss of life, infrastructure and more coastline.
Issue 3: Financial hardship
Times are getting harder, money is tighter, people are doing it hard. We will be facing rates hardship, businesses will struggle because there will be less disposable income. We are going to need a sensible and experienced council to oversee all this. The money that has been previously given by state has gotten tougher. Over the past 8 years we have been so lucky with the renewal or rebuild of so many community facilities, and now is the time to just consolidate.
Issue 4: Lack of wrap around medical services for the area.
We have a magnificent new hospital in Wonthaggi but still struggle to attract professionals to service it. Locals still struggle to get the same service here as in the city.
Issue 5: Employment
We need to as a council attract more employers to the area through incentives for business. We need to be more effective helping the current businesses to be more efficient and sustainable to encourage their growth. That might mean growing the current department we have.
9. Name the one thing you would most like to achieve if you are elected a Bass Coast Shire councillor.
A sustainable Bass Coast where we can all afford to live, we can all have a house over our head, we can all get along and be seen as equals no matter what race, gender or beliefs. Bass Coast is the most amazing place to live, we need to embrace that and strive forward as a community. We can do it, it can be achieved.