Rochelle Halstead (pictured with her dog Goldie) is a candidate for the Western Port Ward in the Bass Coast Shire Council election.
1. Where do you live?
San Remo
2. How long have you lived in Bass Coast? 8 years permanently
3. What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
As a breast cancer survivor, I have had a special interest in raising funds for breast cancer and have participated in the following charity events:
San Remo
2. How long have you lived in Bass Coast? 8 years permanently
3. What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
As a breast cancer survivor, I have had a special interest in raising funds for breast cancer and have participated in the following charity events:
- Mothers Day Classic
- Sussans Breast Cancer Walk
- BCNA Pink Sports Day
- Pink for Pinker – Cranbourne Turf Club with Shane Crawford
- Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
- Walk for Parkinsons charity event
- Fight for Bella charity (Leukemia Foundation)
- San Remo CFA Red Shield Appeal
- Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
- The Big Freeze – Fight for MND
- Walk for the Kids San Remo
- San Remo Tidal Festival Committee Member
- Langwarrin Junior Football Club Volunteer
4. What experience or attributes do you bring that will help you in the role of shire councillor?
My employment history has been predominantly working within government firstly as an electorate officer and then an elected councillor, mayor and for the past two years as Bass Coast deputy mayor. My husband and I are owners of Tides Bar and Grill in Tooradin, a small hospitality business that has given me first-hand knowledge of the challenges that small businesses face every day. You may even see me through the kitchen viewing window with my hands in the dish sink! I have grown up with family farms both beef and dairy and have served on the Bass Coast rural engagement group that has broadened my knowledge of our agricultural industry. A mother of 5 children and 3 grandchildren I bring with me firsthand experience in the challenges and needs of families.
Recently I graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors that has strengthened my knowledge in governance, risk, liabilities and finance. I enjoy immensely my work in the community and am recognised as approachable, straight talking and hard working with a strong commitment to results on the ground
5. Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Councillor – Frankston City Council – 2003
Mayor – Frankston City Council – 2005/06
Candidate for Frankston – 2006
Councillor – Bass Coast Shire – 2020
Deputy Mayor – Bass Coast Shire – 2022/24
6. Do you belong to a political party?
No
7. Are you directing preferences?
Yes
8. Name up to five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you believe the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: Core Local Government
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this term in my travels around Bass Coast, I would be donating a fortune to the Corinella CFA who are seeking to buy a new fire truck and more centralised station! Absolutely we need a return to the basics – sporting facilities, parks and gardens, roads, streets, bridges, libraries, family and community general services, garbage collection, animal management and planning for future needs are all just some of the responsibilities that have blurred into the background and replaced with ideology, political agendas and divisive policy positions not related to local government core practices. Bring back to the Council chamber civic pride, governance representing all members of our community as one, and less divisive community destroying debate.
Fiscal financial management and advocacy will be paramount to achieving outcomes on the ground for Bass Coast. Councillors working together as a team with a clear plan that encompasses a balanced and achievable approach will be crucial as the current economic climate creates restriction and state debt impacts grant availabilities. Council should continue to challenge cost shifting as every dollar becomes vital in delivering service and desperately needed capital work contributions for core local government responsibilities.
Issue 2: Roads and Drainage
Phillip Island Road through San Remo must be upgraded. As a priority for Regional Roads Victoria for years now, with San Remo expected to shoulder further population growth to 2050 and our community already facing gridlock every high season, delivery of this project is an immediate need and a must. Council should continue its advocacy to the state government to immediately fund this project as a matter of safety.
Issue 3: The Golden Goose – and not only in a money sense
The environment on the Bass Coast is a key driver not only economically but for the health and wellbeing of our community. It is imperative that Council decisions consider the environment through policy by identifying any possible environmental impacts in everything we do.
Continuing partnerships with incredible organisations such as Landcare who provide real long term outcomes and seeking to limit our emissions is a positive for all. I support a balanced and considered approach in the climate change debate and recognise from the real impacts being felt locally that more needs to be done.
Issue 4: Sport and Recreation
Those who are active participants in sport across Bass Coast would understand the desperate need for expansion to accommodate for growing participation rates due to increased population and thankfully more female memberships. These clubs are critical for our health and wellbeing. Providing space for not only physical activity but social connection.
Provision of “off leash dog” beach and park spaces. Our residents are responsible pet owners who take great joy in spending time with their best friends. Bass Coast has been very slow to take up funding opportunities that will provide these incredibly valued and popular community spaces that contribute to the community social connection and wellbeing.
Issue 5: Governance
Bass Coast Shire’s Councillor policies have become restrictive and place limitations on the ability for Councillors to represent the views of their constituents in a meaningful way. I would like to see policy amendments that create more transparency, greater community engagement in the Council chamber and protection of public question time. Introduction of a Transparency Hub, an online portal giving residents access to financial records, capital works program progress, asset management and more. This hub gives residents the power to explore and analyse council information and data from the comfort of their own home.
9. Name the one thing you would most like to achieve if you are elected a Bass Coast Shire councillor.
I hope to be a part of an elected council group prepared to work together as a team, that considers and respects all points of view that are debated openly and transparently in the interest of balanced outcomes for Bass Coast. One that is driven by community desires not ideological and political or personal aspirations.
My employment history has been predominantly working within government firstly as an electorate officer and then an elected councillor, mayor and for the past two years as Bass Coast deputy mayor. My husband and I are owners of Tides Bar and Grill in Tooradin, a small hospitality business that has given me first-hand knowledge of the challenges that small businesses face every day. You may even see me through the kitchen viewing window with my hands in the dish sink! I have grown up with family farms both beef and dairy and have served on the Bass Coast rural engagement group that has broadened my knowledge of our agricultural industry. A mother of 5 children and 3 grandchildren I bring with me firsthand experience in the challenges and needs of families.
Recently I graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors that has strengthened my knowledge in governance, risk, liabilities and finance. I enjoy immensely my work in the community and am recognised as approachable, straight talking and hard working with a strong commitment to results on the ground
5. Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Councillor – Frankston City Council – 2003
Mayor – Frankston City Council – 2005/06
Candidate for Frankston – 2006
Councillor – Bass Coast Shire – 2020
Deputy Mayor – Bass Coast Shire – 2022/24
6. Do you belong to a political party?
No
7. Are you directing preferences?
Yes
8. Name up to five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you believe the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: Core Local Government
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this term in my travels around Bass Coast, I would be donating a fortune to the Corinella CFA who are seeking to buy a new fire truck and more centralised station! Absolutely we need a return to the basics – sporting facilities, parks and gardens, roads, streets, bridges, libraries, family and community general services, garbage collection, animal management and planning for future needs are all just some of the responsibilities that have blurred into the background and replaced with ideology, political agendas and divisive policy positions not related to local government core practices. Bring back to the Council chamber civic pride, governance representing all members of our community as one, and less divisive community destroying debate.
Fiscal financial management and advocacy will be paramount to achieving outcomes on the ground for Bass Coast. Councillors working together as a team with a clear plan that encompasses a balanced and achievable approach will be crucial as the current economic climate creates restriction and state debt impacts grant availabilities. Council should continue to challenge cost shifting as every dollar becomes vital in delivering service and desperately needed capital work contributions for core local government responsibilities.
Issue 2: Roads and Drainage
Phillip Island Road through San Remo must be upgraded. As a priority for Regional Roads Victoria for years now, with San Remo expected to shoulder further population growth to 2050 and our community already facing gridlock every high season, delivery of this project is an immediate need and a must. Council should continue its advocacy to the state government to immediately fund this project as a matter of safety.
Issue 3: The Golden Goose – and not only in a money sense
The environment on the Bass Coast is a key driver not only economically but for the health and wellbeing of our community. It is imperative that Council decisions consider the environment through policy by identifying any possible environmental impacts in everything we do.
Continuing partnerships with incredible organisations such as Landcare who provide real long term outcomes and seeking to limit our emissions is a positive for all. I support a balanced and considered approach in the climate change debate and recognise from the real impacts being felt locally that more needs to be done.
Issue 4: Sport and Recreation
Those who are active participants in sport across Bass Coast would understand the desperate need for expansion to accommodate for growing participation rates due to increased population and thankfully more female memberships. These clubs are critical for our health and wellbeing. Providing space for not only physical activity but social connection.
Provision of “off leash dog” beach and park spaces. Our residents are responsible pet owners who take great joy in spending time with their best friends. Bass Coast has been very slow to take up funding opportunities that will provide these incredibly valued and popular community spaces that contribute to the community social connection and wellbeing.
Issue 5: Governance
Bass Coast Shire’s Councillor policies have become restrictive and place limitations on the ability for Councillors to represent the views of their constituents in a meaningful way. I would like to see policy amendments that create more transparency, greater community engagement in the Council chamber and protection of public question time. Introduction of a Transparency Hub, an online portal giving residents access to financial records, capital works program progress, asset management and more. This hub gives residents the power to explore and analyse council information and data from the comfort of their own home.
9. Name the one thing you would most like to achieve if you are elected a Bass Coast Shire councillor.
I hope to be a part of an elected council group prepared to work together as a team, that considers and respects all points of view that are debated openly and transparently in the interest of balanced outcomes for Bass Coast. One that is driven by community desires not ideological and political or personal aspirations.