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Michael Whelan Q&A

19/11/2021

12 Comments

 
PictureBass Coast councillors have elected Michael Whelan as Mayor for 2021-22. He was the only nominee for the position.
​Bass Coast Post: Why did you want to be Mayor?
Cr Michael Whelan: I like to get things done. I commend Brett for his great work over the past three years and look to building on that.

​I am a strategic thinker and I think my government relations experience will be of great benefit in the challenges in the year ahead as we face a Federal and a State election.

I'll also drive the climate change action plan with an emphasis on the opportunities as well as the challenges it presents.

​A key area of our approach needs to be our relationship with Landcare and the carbon farming initiative. I want to broaden that out to include other forms of carbon laydown including blue carbon.

BCP:  What’s your priority for the year ahead?
MW:  Advocacy.

BCP:  You bring a very different style to the role after Cr Tessari. How would you describe the difference?
​MW: There is only one Brett Tessari - he is incredibly personable and knows everyone.  I will be leaning on him to tap his knowledge, networks and radar.
I will be collaborative and plan to involve councillors in community events and hope to support them in their objectives within the ward. I also like to delegate and support councillors pursuing specific policy areas.

BCP: You’re renowned for being able to think on your feet, but the mayor doesn’t get to speak in debates. Won’t you find it hard to shut up?
MW:  I was very happy with the debate on Wednesday and covered the issues really well. It’s an interesting perspective being in the chair. The Mayor gets plenty of opportunity to speak on issues so I look forward to supporting my councillor colleagues.
Mayor's background
  Michael Whelan describes himself as a musician, a gardener and a writer with a passion to ensure a better future for his grandchildren.
  He was first elected to the council in 2016. Enhancing Phillip Island’s environment and climate change initiatives were a focus during his first council term. He was responsible for introducing the council's climate action plan. 
  He also championed strong governance, the local economy, arts and transport, especially active transport.
  Cr Whelan was re-elected in 2020 and served as deputy mayor for the past year.
  Michael Whelan was a CFA officer for nearly 20 years working in operational, research and technical roles before being seconded to the Department of Justice to coordinate a range of multi-agency projects.
  He and his wife Mary have been coming to Phillip Island since the mid 1990s and moved here in 2009. Michael started the Bass Coast Acoustic Music club to seek out people to play music with and formed the Bass Coast Pickers with Allison Chapman, Mary and Rod Ward.

BCP: With a federal election and a state election coming up next year, how will Bass Coast play it – and especially you as Mayor?  
MW:  We will be full on, we are well prepared – our strategic positions on the issues we wish to pursue are cogent and strong. We have great staff working in this area and we will be well rehearsed.
12 Comments
ian Samuel
19/11/2021 04:44:16 pm

Congratulations Michael on taking on the very demanding role of Mayor.
I look forward to your continued support of climate change policies and engagement with the communities priorities.

Reply
Carmen Bush
19/11/2021 05:14:00 pm

Congrats Michael, I wish you well in the challenging year ahead.

Reply
Mike Cleeland
19/11/2021 09:15:50 pm

Congratulations Michael, looking forward to progress on these big issues!

Reply
Linda
20/11/2021 01:22:56 am

I am hoping he may address the problem of rising rents and affordable accommodation for long term locals who are getting pushed out of the region away from friends and family, particularly a big problem for low income earners.

Reply
Michael whelan
20/11/2021 09:56:57 am

Hi Linda I agree with the problem it is massive but it is beyond the resources of Council to fix that one. Having said that we did commit vacant council land to the State Government's Big Build and Council is working closely with the Government, they have committed $25 million to Bass Coast and good on them for that. We need the Federal Government to step up also and put serious money into fixing this problem.

Reply
Frank W Schooneveldt
20/11/2021 06:16:08 am

Congratulations Michael l on your appointment to the important role on being appointed mayor.
One of the major issues in the Bass Coast Shire is the fact that coastal properties, life style properties and farms are grossly undervalued.
What this means is that rates on residential properties are way to high and the rates on coastal, lifestyle and farms way to low. Think 100% too low. In addition we give our farmers a 20% discount on their rates as well as a Rural Land Management Rebate. Because of the low valuation process we are giving our farmers a discount on a discount which seems hardly fair.
We need an urgent review of the rating system
Cheers

Reply
Mike Cleeland
20/11/2021 09:12:56 am

Farms given a discount Frank Schooneveldt? The average fulltime farmer pays about $7000 in rates. How much do you pay? And why should farmers have to pay so much more, for the same services?

Reply
Frank W Schooneveldt
20/11/2021 10:05:32 am

Mike,
Firstly the rates I pay are up there as well and secondly farmers do get a 20% discount on their rates.
Rate are calculated on the Capital Improved Value of a property. The CIV is the total market value of the property as advised by delwp.gov.au.
Coastal properties, Lifestyle properties and farms CIV are grossly undervalued bu the Valuer General Department. As a consequence the residential rate payers are paying to much.
I am in favour of a differential rating system that would take farmers into account. In my view if we can get the CIV valuations right it would make the rating system fair for all
To paraphrase Professor Peter Doherty, small government screws the poor to give to the rich. If you give money to the poor they spend it and if you give money to the rich they send it off to the Canary Islands.
I am all about being fair and say we need to have a rate review.
Cheers

Reply
ian Samuel
20/11/2021 11:09:55 am

Red rubbish bins will be full and overflowing during the Holiday season on Phillip Island and San Remo.
As stated by Cr Ronnie Bauer this very serious health issue is a council responsibility and will not be resolved by education of the holiday makers or ignoring the problem.
If the cost is prohibitive for weekly collection from all properties,as claimed by the Bass Coast Shire CEO, then the less expensive alternative is for council to provide and advertise community rubbish skips in strategic locations.

Reply
Pamela Rothfield
20/11/2021 11:39:50 am

Congratulations Michael, having worked with you for four years, I know what incredible passion and intelligence you will bring to this role. I look forward to your successes on the big issues facing this shire. Good luck.

Reply
Pamela J.Gill JP
21/11/2021 12:46:32 pm

Congratulations Michael,
Best of luck, you cannot please everyone, do the best you
can. Pamela J.Gill JP

Reply
David Butcher
25/11/2021 05:57:47 pm

Well done Michael. And well deserved. Don't let the bastards get you down. There'll always be a spot for you to advocate at 3mFM.

Reply



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