NOT sure who to vote for in Wyreena Ward? We put the tough questions to all candidates to help you make up your mind - read on for their answers. All candidates have been sent the same questionnaire. We will post their answers as we receive them - check back here regularly for updates.
Candidates have been given until October 6 to submit their responses. The Weekly has chosen not to edit the responses in any way, except for legal reasons, meaning what you see is exactly what you get.
Candidates were advised to write N/A for questions they wished not to answer. The Weekly has indicated where no contact details were provided or where candidates declined to take part.
WYREENA WARD
Wyreena Ward councillors will be entrusted to keep an eye on Croydon, Croydon North, Croydon Hills and Warranwood. Of particular concern to locals is the rejuvenation of Main Street, protecting the area from overdevelopment and the implementation of the Croydon structure plan. Incumbents Les Willmott (a councillor for 30 years) and Rob Steane will recontest, but Michael Macdonald has stood down.
At the 2008 election:
Registered voters: 25,474
Voter turnout: 19,405 (76.18 per cent of total enrolment)
Formal votes: 18,382
Informal votes: 1023
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Candidates (in ballot order)
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ROB STEANE
Suburb of residence: Croydon
Occupation: Current Mayor & Liquor Licensing Consultant
Ward nominated for: Wyreena
How long have you lived in Maroondah? 24 years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). Current Ward Councillor since 2008 and Current Mayor. Previously ran (unsuccessfully in 2005)
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? No never have previously been and am not currently a member of any political party. Swing both ways, but I am conservative in nature
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Self funded $2,000
Who will you direct your preferences to?
2 Alistair McInnes
3. Sam Biondo
4 Les Willlmott
5 Kyra Clarke
The rest don’t matter
Describe your involvement in the local community. Apart from Maroondah Council, I am also currently serving on two local school Councils, Croydon Hills Primary School & Croydon Maroondah Secondary College. I have previously been on the committee for Maroondah HomeBiz (as it was then known)
What do you think being a councillor involves? Representing the interests of the Maroondah Community and being a voice for those who may not be able. I also believe that a Councillor should also be a strong advocate for other levels of Government. The benefit of being independent is that I am able to advocate with both sides of party politics. Being able to appropriately use the role to the benefit of the community. EXAMPLE – As Mayor I turned around charity donations from around $3 - $4 k to $36,500 this year for Monkami. NO ONE has ever achieved that result
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? The maintenance of Croydon’s green and leafy feel, additional car parking around Croydon Railway Station, the planning to replace the outdoor memorial pool.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Maroondah? The retention of the budget within CPI increases so ratepayers’ costs don’t go up unnecessarily. Budget increases are directly resulted in the reduction of costs, hence this year I reduced costs, produced a budget surplus and CPI increase(+2.5% infrastructure levy)
Where do you stand on building the new $46.5 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre? I supported the pool. The old pool was losing $1 million per year, and this loss was increasing because it was not attracting enough users. The new facility will provide new facilities for the next 50 years and should be seen as that. It is a 50 year vision, and not a 3 year inconvenience. I have directly advocated to the Federal Government for an additional $15 million towards this project – watch this space!
Ringwood’s town centre is set for a major upgrade. What features do you think should be included and what will improve the suburb? The town centre will have a brand new library and learning centre, town square and customer service centre. The town square will be unique in Australia with open space, grassed areas and the ability to link directly to other areas of the revamped Eastland. As part of the town square, I would like to see water features, an open space where people are welcomed to meet, an area for entertainment and perhaps exhibitions. Having “passive surveillance” with people coming and going will be attractive to Maroondah’s users
Developers are looking to Maroondah to build higher-density housing, particularly Ringwood and Croydon. Where do you stand on this? Where should development be allowed and what areas should be protected? I’m on record of supporting developments in the designated area of Ringwood and Croydon. The “suburbs” outside the city centres, should be protected to allow “some” developments but the Ringwood and Croydon CBD’s should be the only places where higher-density living should be allowed. Councillor Les Willmott and I both have a track record in relation to this.
Do you think Maroondah Council operates in an appropriately transparent and accountable manner? If yes, why and if no, what should be improved? Yes. The decision making process is made in open Council. Some discussions are by their nature, held “in camera”, because as a Councillor we need to receive ALL relevant information from a variety of sources so that we can make informed decisions that are ultimately made in open Council. No decision I have been involved in over the last 4 years has been made “behind closed doors”.
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Jenny McNeal: No contact details provided
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LES WILLMOTT
Suburb of residence: Croydon
Occupation: Foreman – Building/Construction
Ward nominated for: Wyreena
How long have you lived in Maroondah? Over 40 Years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). Yes. Councillor for over 25 years, Former City of Croydon, Maroondah Council
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? No. none
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Approx $2000. Self funded.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Kyra Clarke
Describe your involvement in the local community.
- Have been involved with school committees, scouts, guides.
- Fundraising for Royal Children’s Hospital and other charity groups.
- Founder of Bone Marrow Donor Institute, Croydon Branch. Currently publicity officer for this organisation.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Dedication, hard work and listening to the voice of the community.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Keeping rates to cpi levels. Keeping council debt-free. Sound planning provisions and maintaining out leafy-green environment
What do you think are the most important issues facing Maroondah? Financial management and keeping the rates cost down for residents. No major borrowing. Retaining public open space.
Where do you stand on building the new $46.5 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre? The state government has only contributed $3 million towards this project. The city of Frankston received $26 million from State and Federal Governments for a pool of similar value. Unless Maroondah receives similar funding, the burden will then fall to the Maroondah ratepayers leading to soaring rates and cuts to other services. If we do not receive equivalent funding, council must reconsider the model and scope of of the project, to suit the needs of our community.
Ringwood’s town centre is set for a major upgrade. What features do you think should be included and what will improve the suburb? Well resourced new library (building cost will be borne by owners of Eastland, as part of the new development).
- Town centre with open space and activities for all residents.
- State of the art restaurant precinct, providing a vibrant social heart to our city.
Developers are looking to Maroondah to build higher-density housing, particularly Ringwood and Croydon. Where do you stand on this? Where should development be allowed and what areas should be protected? Centre of Croydon is a major activity centre under State Government policy (activity centres must have a structural plan -. Our plan was developed via community consultation over 5 years ago). A small area around Main Street and Croydon Railways Station has been zoned for higher density housing (not more than 3-4 storeys). The rest of Wyreena ward should be left as the leafy suburb that we have come to love and enjoy.
Do you think Maroondah Council operates in an appropriately transparent and accountable manner? If yes, why and if no, what should be improved? Yes, all decisions of council are made at a public meeting. Maroondah Council also hold regular planning consultation meetings to consider planning applications from residents affected by proposed developments.
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DEAN van den AKKER
Suburb of residence:
Ringwood north
Occupation: Retail worker
Ward nominated for: Wyreena
How long have you lived in Maroondah? I have lived in Maroondah my whole life.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). This is my first time running for Council or any level of government.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? I’m not a member of any political party. I’m running for this election totally independently
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? n/a
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes I’m definitely committed to remaining a councillor for a full term if elected.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? My campaign is self funded
Who will you direct your preferences to? These are indicated on my ballot paper
Describe your involvement in the local community? I have lived in Maroondah my whole life. I went to a local school. I played community sport. I also work locally.
What do you think being a councillor involves? I believe Councillors should act of behalf of the local community to improve services and make Maroondah a better place to live.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? I would like to see better public transport around Croydon. Improved security at Croydon station and other public areas.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Maroondah? Improving public transport.. Keeping rates low.
Where do you stand on building the new $46.5 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre? I think the new aquatic centre will be great for Maroondah. I will make sure it’s finished on time and on budget
Ringwood’s town centre is set for a major upgrade. What features do you think should be included and what will improve the suburb? I would like to see Eastland improved with more shops, restaurants and more entertainment options.
Developers are looking to Maroondah to build higher-density housing, particularly Ringwood and Croydon. Where do you stand on this? Where should development be allowed and what areas should be protected? I support higher-density development provided it’s zoned to particular areas of Ringwood and Croydon.
Do you think Maroondah Council operates in an appropriately transparent and accountable manner? If yes, why and if no, what should be improved? No not really. I would like to be able to hear what other Councillors have to say when discussing and debating decisions about important issues, particularly when it comes to allocation of funds to community groups.
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Elisabeth Bowes: No contact details provided
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KATHY MACDONALD
Suburb of residence: Croydon
Occupation: Employee relations
How long have you lived in Maroondah? 50 years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). I nominated for Croydon Council 1991.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? No.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? I am funding my own campaign.
Who will you direct your preferences to? People who hold the same values as me and who are nominating because they have a genuine interest of the community of the City of Maroondah. Those people who have participated and contributed to community life in Maroondah.
Describe your involvement in the local community.
1. I have been president of Brentwood Park kindergarten in Maroondah.
2. I facilitated and led the development of a before and after school program in my sons local school.
3. I have been the secretary and canteen manager for the South Croydon Football Club.
4. I have worked with people with disabilities.
5. I support and provide social outings for an elderly man with an intellectual disability.
6. I assisted in the 2009 Black Saurday bushfire emergency and recovery.
What do you think being a councillor involves? I believe an elected member of the community is a privilege and not a right. A councillor must therefore be impartial and not be self serving. A councillor’s role is to represent the community’s views, whether these be from an individual or from groups of people. In so doing, a councillor must act with integrity, treat all persons with respect and have high regard to the opinions, belief and rights of others. A councillor must ensure that public resources are used wisely and solely in the public interest.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward?
* Ensure that any future developments include adequate parking for owners and their visitors.
* Advocate for increased car parking for station commuters so they are not forced to park in residential streets.
* Lack of all day parking for traders in Main St, Croydon, usually taken up by train commuters
* Lobby for drug rehabilitation clinics to be located in more appropriate areas, and not in shopping precincts or residential areas.
* Support community safety measures such as an increase in police presence, appropriate pedestrian crossings, adequate lighting, increased CCTV cameras and improved public amenities.
* Not support over development, such as at Alfrick Rd and Springfield Ave, Croydon.
* Advocate for reduced rates for waste collection in retirement villages eg: Mingarra and Cherry Tree retirement village.
* Support the urgent upgrade of change rooms at the Croydon Junior Football and Baseball Clubs.
* Advocate for Council, State and Federal governments to improve the facilities at Croydon Park.
* Advocate for increased support for other local sports such as, rugby, soccer and gridiron clubs.
* Advocate for additional support for Eastern FM 98.1 radio.
* Ensure our local community centres at Yarrunga and Wyreena continue to be adequately resourced.
* U3A is a vital service for our retirees and older people and I will lobby for this group to have adequate facilities and resources.
* As a member of the Monastery Ridge Inc I will support canopy and corridor tree protection.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Maroondah?
* Recently Maroondah Council presented budget deficits of over $2 million. I will ensure that services are improved, that we effectively use our assets and spend our rate money wisely on things that matter to us all.
* Now that council has committed to a new Regional Aquatic Centre, I will see the facility built within council’s budget, so that construction costs do not cause a rate rise for the ratepayers.
* There is currently a $7.9 million shortfall for council’s superannuation funding. I intend to lobby the State Government to review their policy on local government superannuation funds to remove the liability from ratepayers.
* Pensioners that are rate payers should have $100 discount on their rates.
* A rail trail cycle path to link Ringwood to Lilydale and the Warburton trail.
* The O’Shannassy cycle path from East Ringwood to Mt Evelyn.
* Support the bike path from Ringwood to Box Hill.
* Lack of parking at Heathmont, Ringwood, East Ringwood and Croydon stations.
* Lack of parking at Maroondah Hospital.
* I will advocate for a ‘neighbourhood safer places’ program where we check on our neighbours and ensure they are safe and well.
* Ensure that any future developments include adequate parking for owners and their visitors.
* Ensure that there are adequate fire risk management strategies along our waterways and in our parks.
* Lobby for improved tree pruning in low bushfire-risk areas and reduce excessive pruning of trees.
Where do you stand on building the new $46.5 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre? I support the building of the new Ringwood Aquatic Centre. Earlier this year I attend a public forum where the engineers presented photos of the decay within the structure of the pool; the tired and worn out change rooms and tiles that were falling off the edges of the pool. The maintenance year after year on the pool and potentially into the future has and will be tremendous. We could not as ratepayers sustain this kind of up keep. It is a far better proposition to build a new sustainable pool that will last for years, rather than keep patching up the current pool. The new pool will have state of the art facilities and incorporate a range of services to people of all ages and abilities.
Ringwood’s town centre is set for a major upgrade. What features do you think should be included and what will improve the suburb? Maroondah Council needs to ensure that the resources and opportunities that are created today remain available to future generations, therefore a carefully planned town centre should include a Public Library, Cultural and Learning Centre where the Maroondah community can access essential information resources, technology, programs and services. A place that will foster reading and learning and promote the social, economic, recreational and lifelong learning interests of its diverse population.
The town centre should also contain unique restaurants, art galleries and studios, live entertainment, antiques, and small professional offices.
The town centre should incorporate social and private spaces. Children of all ages enjoy splashing, climbing and pretending for hours, the town centre will need a play area, water feature, to include a tactile area for people with sensory and physical disabilities.
Developers are looking to Maroondah to build higher-density housing, particularly Ringwood and Croydon. Where do you stand on this? Where should development be allowed and what areas should be protected?
* Any residential development should blend in with the character of the neighbourhood.
* I do not support high density housing.
* Development should only be allowed in areas that are currently zoned for such development, we should not create any further opportunities for other high density development.
Do you think Maroondah Council operates in an appropriately transparent and accountable manner? If yes, why and if no, what should be improved?
* I would like to see more transparency and accountability in council, with open forums and debates, particularly when determining grant allocations.
* I have been to council meetings where the ‘debate’ on community issues has already been completed and a decision made.
* I would like the community to be able to’ hear’ the views of other councillors.
* The public needs to know how their elected councillor is ‘performing’ – does he or she have the communities interest at heart?
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Sam Nahoum
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Derren Lee
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Stephanie Hutton
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LIAM FITZGERALD
Suburb of residence: Croydon
Occupation: Coordinator of day service for young adults with an intellectual disability
Ward nominated for: Wyreena
How long have you lived in Maroondah? 25 years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). No
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? No, not a member of a political party. I identify most with the Labor Party.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? I have quite a small campaign budget and it is self funded.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Alistair McInnes
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have lived in Maroondah my entire life. I have always been employed in the local area working with primary school aged children in an out of schools hours service and supporting people with an intellectual disability with Interact Australia. I continue to play cricket and football at local sporting clubs where I also volunteer to assist with the Good Friday Appeal. These are the same clubs where I began playing at a young age. My family and I have a long history working in the community with various Lions clubs, scout groups and sporting organisations.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Listening and acting on what is important to the people in our community.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward?
• Improved street lighting to reduce graffiti and anti social behaviour
• Maintain and upgrade local sporting facilities
• Oppose inappropriate development and keep rates at a minimum.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Maroondah?
• There is nowhere near enough council run respite and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities.
• The long overdue upgrade of Ringwood Station to increase safety for people with disabilities, young families and elderly citizens.
• The accessibility of Main Street Croydon to assist members of the community with mobility concerns.
• TAFE and education opportunities need to continue to be available locally.
• Increasing street lighting to reduce graffiti and anti social behaviour.
• Maintaining and upgrading local sporting facilities.
• Oppose inappropriate development and keep rates at a minimum.
Where do you stand on building the new $46.5 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre? The decision to spend $46.5 million to upgrade Ringwood Aquatic Centre is outrageous. Croydon Leisure and Aquatic Centre was upgraded to a fantastic standard only a few years ago and the need for two brand new facilities so close to each other seems unnecessary. The services theses facilities provide to the community do not cater to enough people to justify spending the money. The money could have been shared around 20 sporting clubs across Maroondah to upgrade current out-of-date facilities which would have been used by far more members of the community than the Ringwood Aquatic Centre will.
Ringwood’s town centre is set for a major upgrade. What features do you think should be included and what will improve the suburb? The upgrade of Ringwood’s town centre should begin with the upgrade of Ringwood Station. It needs to be accessible for all members of the community with the remainder of the town centre based around it. Ringwood should be a transport hub for the eastern suburbs, so it needs a state-of-the-art railway station to support it. The remainder of the upgrade should have a mix Ringwood’s proud history, including the clocktower, and modern day architecture. It should consist of green lawns and trees to represent Maroondah’s leafy presence and be accessible for everyone.
Developers are looking to Maroondah to build higher-density housing, particularly Ringwood and Croydon. Where do you stand on this? Where should development be allowed and what areas should be protected? High density housing needs to be kept to minimum. One of the great things about Maroondah is its parks, gardens and recreation reserves. If we increase housing density, these places will disappear.
Do you think Maroondah Council operates in an appropriately transparent and accountable manner? If yes, why and if no, what should be improved? Transparency is critical for a successful council. I believe in the past the Maroondah Council has not been as transparent with the community as it could have been. The mayor being voted in behind closed doors is a clear indication of this and would be a good place to start for improved transparency.
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ALAN CLARKSON
Suburb of residence: Croydon
Occupation: Pensioner
How long have you lived in Maroondah? Twenty years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). No.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? ALP.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? $450-$500 and I am paying for it myself.
Who will you direct your preferences to? I am directing my preferences as follows: McInnes 2, Willmott 3, Steane 4, Fitgerald 5, Clarke 6, Nahoum 7, Mcneal 8, Biondo 9, Hutton 10, Lee 11, MacDonald 12, Bowes 13, Van den akker 14.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have lived in my own unit in the Wyreena ward for more than 20 years. I socialise and shop only in Croydon and most of my friends live in this great little municipality. I enjoy the local footy and cricket. I am a member at the Ringwood and Kilsyth Club were I often meet my many local friends and relatives.
What do you think being a councillor involves? I think being a councillor will be about listening to residents and rate-payers concerns and in particular to keep my on council expenditure and ensuring that council officers are responsive to residents needs.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? The rates being increased yet again this year by more than the CPI is a big concern to me especially in our ward as we have a lot of pensioners on fixed incomes. Our ward presently has inadequate bus services and safety is also a big concern especially at night in main street and Croydon railway station which are both located in Wyreena.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Maroondah? High rates, inadequate public transport and personal safety are also issues in other parts of Maroondah, however the big issue we all have to face is the $46.5 million to be spent on redeveloping the Ringwood Aquatic Centre when we already have an under-utilised aquatic centre in Croydon.
Where do you stand on building the new $46.5 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre? We don’t need two aquatic centres and spending $46.5m on a second one is foolish. It would have been better not to borrow any money at all and with the 20 or so million we had we could have improved services across the whole community especially aged care and supported a lot of sporting clubs right across Maroondah.
Ringwood’s town centre is set for a major upgrade. What features do you think should be included and what will improve the suburb? Ringwood is an important transport and commercial centre and making the station and shopping areas much more user friendly for aged and disabled commuters and shoppers should be included in any upgrade. The ramp at Ringwood railway station is still very difficult for a lot of people.
Developers are looking to Maroondah to build higher-density housing, particularly Ringwood and Croydon. Where do you stand on this? Where should development be allowed and what areas should be protected? High density housing is ok in designated areas. I like living in a multi-tenanted environment in my own single-storey unit. However, we need to be careful about changing the uniqueness of Croydon and Ringwood. Locating such developments close to railway stations and other well serviced areas is what I think should be done.
Do you think Maroondah Council operates in an appropriately transparent and accountable manner? If yes, why and if no, what should be improved? I don’t think the council is very transparent. The best example of this is the fact that councillors elect the mayor behind closed doors. Council would be much more overt if voters directly elected the mayor.
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Sam Biondo
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ALISTAIR McINNES
Suburb of residence: Croydon
Occupation: Retired Superannuant
Ward nominated for: Wyreena
How long have you lived in Maroondah? More than 40 years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). N/A
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? Yes, Australian Labor Party
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? $1,500 - $2,000
Who will you direct your preferences to? As per the VEC website
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have been brought up in the Croydon/Maroondah community so I have had too many involvements to name here. Briefly, I attended Croydon Primary & High Schools for twelve years. I played soccer with Croydon City, Wilhelmina & Mooroolbark. I played basketball with a high school based team called “The Wizards” for a number of years. I raised money and rode for a number of Charities such as Monkami, Yarra Valley Grammar Hearing Unit and the Victorian Animal Aid. I am currently member of the Ringwood District Aquatic Centre Community Reference Group
What do you think being a councillor involves? Listening and acting on ratepayers and residents concerns. Dealing with the day to day issues that can seem small to some but are often quite important to whoever has raised them. But at the same time I would like to be strategic and looking to the future so that I can be part of a council that implements improvements that will have a long term beneficial impact on our local community.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Personally when I commenced my campaign my main concerns were around stemming inappropriate development in Croydon and not losing our unique environment. However I share the concerns of many ratepayers with regard to this year’s rate rise which is well above the CPI. This coupled with next year’s huge financial commitments with respect to the Ringwood Aquatic Centre redevelopment and statutory “Superannuation debt of $8m is going to require some very tight financial management to avoid further large rate increases.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Maroondah? I see very similar issues across the whole of Maroondah, however personal safety, engaging our young people and maintaining and expanding our aged care programs are certainly important ongoing issues.
Where do you stand on building the new $46.5 million Ringwood Aquatic Centre? It is my understanding that the commitment has been made in regard to the Aquatic Centre and we will not be able to reverse this decision. However we shouldn’t have to “go it alone” with such an expensive project and I will be pushing to get as much additional funding as we can from the State and federal governments so that Maroondah Ratepayers don’t bear the whole burden for a project that we are being told will be used right across the state.
Ringwood’s town centre is set for a major upgrade. What features do you think should be included and what will improve the suburb? I struggle to think where Ringwood’s Town Centre is? There has been so much haphazard development in Ringwood and many of its traditional “Town Centre” landmarks have been torn down or moved. I hope that any upgrade will restore the “heart” of Ringwood and foster a stronger sense of community identity
Developers are looking to Maroondah to build higher-density housing, particularly Ringwood and Croydon. Where do you stand on this? Where should development be allowed and what areas should be protected? I believe High density housing needs to be contained in appropriate areas. We need to be very careful not to create eye-sores and that surrounding roads and other infra-structure are able to cope with any such developments
Do you think Maroondah Council operates in an appropriately transparent and accountable manner? If yes, why and if no, what should be improved? I believe the council is generally quite overt however community interest involvement is such that much of what council does goes unnoticed. Very few ratepayers and residents attend the open council meetings and I wonder how many of us access the minutes and reports that are freely available on Maroondah’s website. I for one believe more scrutiny and attention from the community will improve accountability.
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Kyra Clarke
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