NOT sure who to vote for in Billanook 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.
BILLANOOK WARD
Including Mount Evelyn and part of Lilydale, Billanook was subject to a subdivision review earlier this year to help equalise the number of voters in each ward. VEC proposals could have seen Mount Evelyn split in two wards, but thanks to a strong campaign by the townspeople, the boundaries remained largely intact. Incumbent Tim Heenan is running again.
At the 2008 election:
Registered voters: 12,033
Voter turnout: 9689 (80.52 per cent of the total enrolment)
Formal votes: 9379
Informal votes: 310
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Candidates (in ballot order)
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Lawrence Mobsby
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PETER BRASIER
Suburb of residence: Mount Evelyn
Occupation: Operations Manager
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? I moved to the area in 1970 and have been a resident of Mt Evelyn for 14 years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? I have never been a councillor or held public office.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? I am not a member of a political party. For most of my adult life I have voted for the ALP. Like many I believe the major parties are out of touch with the needs of hard-working Australians, lack vision and fail to provide leadership in the real sense. We deserve better and I am more inclined to support independent candidates who look to their electorate rather than follow the dictates of parties pre-occupied with political spin and beholden to minority and powerful interest groups.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? I was part of the community-based leadership group who fought to secure the closure of the polluting Coldstream located composting facility. This was a true community driven action, flying the face of several councils, The State Government and Big Business. Through Peter Brasier and Others v ANL the matter of a community being held to ransom was finally settled in the courts in the community’s favour and the polluting facility was ordered to close. This demonstrated our community spirit and proved that you cannot take our community for granted.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? I intend to serve the full term.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? My campaign budget is minimal, resource poor and self-funded. Like many in Billanook Ward I am feeling the financial pinch and can ill-afford banners and flyers and the like. This situation does not stop me from listening to the people of Billanook and promoting their needs. I understand there are some standing for council who have significant resources to draw upon. I believe the people of Billanook are sufficiently sophisticated to see through the spin and glitz and look directly to the candidate.
Who will you direct your preferences to? I have directed my second preference to Tim Heenan. I believe that whilst Tim has been good community advocate in many respects it is time for a change and I hope to be elected accordingly.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have lived in Mt Evelyn for 14 years. This my home, the place I have raised my family. I love living in Mt Evelyn and am part and parcel of the local community. As aforementioned I was part of the community group who took on big business, forced Council to action, bought the EPA into play and took the matter to the courts forcing the closer of a facility polluting our area and making many residents lives a misery. Over the years I been active with community welfare groups in opening my home to local children in crisis proving both long term and short term shelter to those most vulnerable members of our community.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Councillors must listen to their community, consult with their community and act in accordance with the community’s needs. It takes a special type of arrogance to assume that you know best and present your community with a series of done-deals. Such has been the case with the rates issue: An out of touch elitist council assuming that they know what is best for the community, ignoring the reality that many residents are suffering financial hardship and believing that it would be beneath the council’s dignity to step down from their ivory tower and explain their actions.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? The most immediate and urgent matter is to address the rates issue. How can a council justify continued and excessive rate rises in the face of falling property values, reduced services and the reality of financial hardship. This is an area rich in spirit but battling nonetheless. The people of Billanook need a councillor who will say “Not Good Enough” and force council to act in the community’s interest. Further, council must support and nurture small business’. The success of small business is crucial to both wealth and job creation and thus to both the future viability of our Community and creating opportunities for our youth.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges? Crucially council needs to change focus and realise that they are there to serve and assist the community. The community is the arbiter of the issues of importance and the people of Yarra Ranges first and foremost need a council open to the views and needs of the community per se. The handling of rates issue, the Toolangi forestry issue and ignoring the effect of council decisions upon our most vulnerable are symptomatic with a council out of touch with the needs of the community. We need councillors who listen first and accept that such is crucial to leadership.
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? I believe that modern forestry practices are compatible with habitat and environmental concerns. It seems to me that council has promoted a certain ideology, pandering to a vocal minority and has failed to suitable address the very real and detrimental effect a cessation of logging will have on many members of our community. We need reason to prevail and recognise that timber harvesting is an important local industry and there is a place for sustainable forestry.
Is enough being done to try secure higher education in the shire Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? In the face of the State Government decision to greater reduce funding per education and training and the imminent closure of the Swinburne facility the future for higher education in Yarra Ranges seems bleak indeed. I am sure that council is trying to promote higher education and secure facilities for this area but more needs to be done. Nonetheless I do think it is unfair to blame council for decisions made by jurisdictions beyond council control.
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? With growth comes opportunity. With growth comes employment. I would encourage an extension of the urban growth boundary if and only if there is suitable infrastructure planned to support said increase and that the focus be on affordable housing. Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? To ask a community suffering financial hardship to subsidise the shortfall in a superannuation fund is wholly inappropriate. Promoting the needs of the few and ignoring the realities facing the many is arrogant and contemptible in the extreme. I cannot and will not support any rate rise as a means of resolving this shortfall.
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DON Di BATTISTA
Suburb of residence: [Editor’s note: Question left unanswered]
Occupation: Civil Engineer
Ward nominated for: Billanook
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? I have lived in the in the Yarra Ranges for approximately 14 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 have never run for council though I have worked for a significant period of time for various state government and local government authorities.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? No, I have never been a member of a political party and I do not identify with any party. I believe that there is no place in local government for the influences of a political party and its policies.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? No
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes, this term and beyond, for as long as the community wishes
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Minimal, my campaign is self-funded
Describe your involvement in the local community. In various roles I have expended much energy in the delivery of sustainable solutions in management of stormwater for local communities. I have managed the delivery of civil infrastructure that responds to local needs and provided connectivity and accessibility in infrastructure.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Representing the community, the residents; taking their will to Council, being responsible and responsive to local and regional needs. Above all assisting in the delivery of affordable housing, developing the local economy for prosperity and local jobs growth. Delivering a sustainable budget.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Rates, affordable housing, employment and services.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges? As the ward issues with particular emphasis on the employment/economic development including seasonal accommodation. Planning obstacles and the associated bureaucracy.
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? The sustainable logging of our forests has continued for many years. I do not support the pulping of old growth – but the existing sustainable industries should/must be retained for the survival of so many jobs and local employment economies and above all for the fact that the utilisation of this resource is demonstrably sustainable. It must be considered that these forests have been continuously logged for many many years, replanted then again logged. This should continue.
Is enough being done to try secure higher education in the shire once Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? The Swinburne University site must be retained as a solely further education precinct. The property must not be sold to developers and must not be broken down into conference centre, accommodation and ‘local government use’ areas. There are sufficient alternative locations within the Yarra Valley for non-educational uses. It must be retained for the further education of our current and future generations. Council must communicate this to the state government who must ultimately consent to a sale.
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? Yes, the UBG must be extended to provide a reasonable LOCAL supply of affordable and social housing and to provide land for employment. It is unfair to force the current and future generations of our residents to the north, west or south eastern outer suburbs of Melbourne for housing, particularly affordable housing when there is an abundance or serviceable land with infrastructure and heavy rail close by. Additional land for employment will assist to keep and grow local employment; this need co-exists with that of housing.
Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? This is an unfortunate legislative decision that has required local councils to guarantee the super fund. There is an average impost of $235 per assessment that must be covered unless council defaults on its obligations. This is unjustified but seemingly necessary with savings in the budget to be found such as the reduction of the less tangible expenditure for example the ‘carbon reduction initiatives’ that have been budgeted/planed for at an expense of $4.75m over the current budget and capital works plan.
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MARIA McCARTHY
Suburb of residence: Lilydale
Occupation: Administration officer
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? All of my life.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? I ran for Yarra Ranges Council in 2006.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? N/A.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? N/A.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? I am running to be a councillor for four years and am committed to meeting this obligation if I am elected by the people of the Billanook ward.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? I am funding my campaign myself.
Who will you direct your preferences to? My preferences will go to Clive Larkman.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have served on various local Committees, including:
* Yarra Ranges Educational Precinct Committee.
* Melba Support Services.
* Yarra Valley Italian Cultural Group.
* Mount Evelyn Street Festival.
* Friends of the Lillydale Museum Trust.
* Lilydale Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Being a councillor means representing the community as a whole; not pushing my own personal agenda. Billanook is a diverse ward with many differing opinions which all need to be heard.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Billanook ward is already a flourishing community but needs a new energy to continue thriving into the future. Residents and businesses alike require support to ensure prosperity and community pride.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges? Rising costs to business and residents are hurting the Yarra Ranges. Just one example of this are rates, which have risen by 40 per cent under the current council, and are pushing many people to the wall. Council needs to reduce costs and burdens on residents and businesses in the shire.
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? The loggers trying to work in Toolangi have a binding contract and a legal right to be there. The same cannot be said for the protesters, who have repeatedly entered the site illegally and agitated the logging workers there.
Is enough being done to try secure higher education in the shire once Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? State Government and Yarra Ranges Council are working with community stakeholders to find a way through for the Swinburne Lilydale site. Swinburne have made a terrible decision to abandon Lilydale, however they stand to lose the most by walking away from such a fantastic campus.
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? The majority of the Yarra Ranges is not an urban area. Development in our shire should only take place in existing activity centres.
Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? Despite knowing about this impending shortfall, the current council failed to budget for the super top-up and have left the next council a $15 million black hole.
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LOUISE TESORIERO
Suburb of residence: Mt Evelyn
Occupation: Self Employed
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? My whole life, 31 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 ran for the last council election and came fourth.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? I am an independent and I identify most with the Greens, because they are the only party that take a real stand and consider people and the environment over making rich people richer.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a 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? My campaign budget is zero. I will be funding this.
Who will you direct your preferences to? My preferences can be viewed on my ‘how to vote card’.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I own a small, family-orientated business in Mt Evelyn. I live locally, play sport locally, shop locally, bank locally. I have raised more than $25000 for Bowel Cancer Australia in a fun run held at Lilydale Lake in memory of my Mum.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Being a voice for, and making responsible choices on behalf of the community. Ensuring that council acts in the best interests of the majority of the community and the environment as a whole.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Promoting the area as a tourist destination, and building the retail sector by attracting small businesses to trade in the main street and promoting already existing businesses. Promoting healthy lifestyle by continuing improvements to recreation and sporting facilities and walking tracks and natural attractions.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges? Finding a balance between protecting the environment and development. Preserving the natural beauty of the area, the reason why many of us choose to live in the Yarra Ranges.
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? I think it should be stopped.
Is enough being done to try secure higher education in the shire once Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? N/A.
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? N/A.
Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? I think that they only way a rate rise is justified, is if the rate payers can see that they are getting something in return.
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GREG CARRICK
Suburb of residence: Mt Evelyn
Occupation: Image Architect
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? 27 years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? No.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? I am not a member of any party and have never been a member of any party.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a 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’m running on a shoe string and am self funded.
Who will you direct your preferences to? My second preferences have gone to another independent who has not been a councillor before.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have done many years of community work in Mt Evelyn, especially in the youth area. I also published the m2 newspaper for seven years here in Mt Evelyn, promoting local community groups and businesses.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Listening to the local residents, community groups and businesses and working towards solutions that have long-term benefits.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? For young people, it is education and work opportunities, for residents it is a combination of suitable rate levels and sustainable infrastructure maintenance.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges? Keeping the holistic living standards high in the area. This includes access to good levels of education, opportunities for work and affordable housing. We also need to keep our unique and beautiful natural bushland in ways that do not threaten it for the future. Any uses of this natural resource, whether for commercial logging through to camping and bush walking, need to be fully regulated.
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? Wood based products are a part of our society, we all live in houses and use paper etc, so these things need to be recognised. Sustainability can sound like an empty buzzword, but it does have meaning, and we need to work out ways to not destroy the forests for the wood.
Is enough being done to try and secure higher education in the shire once Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? No there isn’t. Local Government alone cannot save Swinburne, or sustain all levels of education in the Shire. State Government needs to acknowledge its responsibility here and step up to the mark for our young people. We need the same education and work opportunities here in the Shire that people enjoy closer to the city.
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? We have many small towns in the Shire that have been home to people for most of their lives, or are the home of choice as they move into the area. We need housing options that suit all ages and abilities of people, including those with limited mobility. Affordable housing close to the centre of our towns is something we need to work towards as a priority, so people can stay living where they want to live.
Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? The fee is not unexpected. It has been looming ever since the amalgamation of the councils under Jeff Kennet. It is also a legal requirement that must be met. For this reason, among others, expenditure is a priority that needs to be looked at.
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CLIVE LARKMAN
Suburb of residence: Lilydale
Occupation: Nursery owner
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? 23 years plus on and off from 1979 until 1989 whilst a student and overseas.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? Was councillor for Billanook 2003 to 2005, Deputy Mayor in 2004.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? Yes , member of the Liberal Party.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? Only the Liberal Party.
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? Around $1000 from my personal savings.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Maria McArthy and Brian Phillips.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have been an employer here since 1989. I have been a member of the Wandin Football Club since 1991 (approx). Was a member of Rotary for 10 years. I am a member of Lilydale Chamber of Commerce (President for four years), Agribusiness Yarra Valley (chairman since 2006). Member of the Dandenong Ranges Gardens Advisory Committee since 2007. Member of The Australian Lavender Growers Association and I also sit on the board of Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria and Treasurer for the International Plant Propagator’s Society (board member since 2000) and I am president of the Victorian Agribusiness Council. Over the past 10 years I have sat on numerous short term special issue committees such as the Yarra Ranges Indigenous Advisory Committee.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Being a truly representative voice for all the rate payers and to govern the shire in a manner that supports all those who live and work here. A good councillor must step outside their personal politics to work for the betterment of everyone.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? The key issues are balancing the needs of the local business community with the natural environment at the same time understanding the differing needs of those who live, work and are involved in the local area with those who work elsewhere and spend their time looking after the needs and interests of their families that may or may not be local.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges? Developing and maintaining a balanced budget whilst minimising the reliance on rate income. Second is balancing the needs of our living environment with our economic development.
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? It has a rightful place when it is done in a balanced and sustainable manner.
Is enough being done to try secure higher education in the shire once Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? I do not believe so. It is critical that we have a tertiary presence here. Ideally at a University level but at least at a TAFE or technical level. It is important for the training of our residents and for the local economy. There are other facilities that would be able to deliver courses here.
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? It should be reviewed and the inconsistencies (ie 1-acre farms, Rural Zones too close to the centres of townships) removed or adjusted. All development, residential and commercial should be in keeping with what makes this shire so great to live. We need to ensure our local businesses can grow and prosper, to make sure there is sufficient and appropriate residential land near town centres and we need to protect our national, state and local parkland.
Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? No it is not but does the council have an option? This was addressed in around 2004 and the council must address it again to ensure the ratepayers are not continually having to ’top up’ the fund.
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Brendan Dixon: No contact details provided
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TIM HEENAN
Suburb of residence: Mount Evelyn
Occupation: I WORK IN THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY
Ward nominated for: BILLANOOK
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? 26 YEARS 5 MONTHS EXACTLY ON ELECTION DAY
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 AM PROUDLY THE CURRENT BILLANOOK WARD COUNCILLOR . ELECTED NOV 2005 AND RELECTED 2008
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? NO AND NONE
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? I AM A MEMBER OF THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING FOUNDATION
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? NO BUDGET ONGOING .
Who will you direct your preferences to? LOUISE TESORIERO
Describe your involvement in the local community. HAVE BEEN INVOVLED IN ALL TOWNSHIP, COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT GROUPS IN MOUNT EVELYN FOR OVER 20 YEARS. CONCEIVED AND ORGANISED THE FIRST MOUNT EVELYN STREET PARTY AND WORLD RECORD SACK RACE IN 2001. LOBBIED TO BUILD THE SKATE PARK FOR 5 YEARS BEFORE BEING ON COUNCIL. WORKED WITH LILYDALE COMMUNITY TO SHUT DOWN THE STINKING COLDSTREAM COMPOST FACILITY AND STOP ABLE DEMOLITIONS OPENING PRIVATE TRANSFER STATION.
What do you think being a councillor involves? SERVING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND BEING PART OF A TEAM THAT SERVES THE WHOLE SHIRE. TO ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? MY WARD NEVER HAD ANY MONEY SPENT ON ANY INFASTRUCTURE. BEFORE I WAS ELECTED. TOILETS, FOOTPATHS ,BUS STOPS ,PLAYGROUNDS, SPORTING FACILITIES AND LOOKING AFTER OUR ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS TRADERS. GOOD SHOPPING FACILITIES.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges?
- MUCH GREATER COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
- RATES
- ENCOURAGING LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
- COMMUNITY INFASTRUCTURE
- A GREATER AND FAIRER DEAL FOR OUR FARMERS. MORE VALUE ADDING FOR THEIR PRODUCE.
- LOOKING AFTER ANND ENHANCING OUR BEAUTIFUL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? ONLY SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING OF PLANTATION TIMBER HAS A PLACE ON THE PLANET TODAY
NOT MAKING WOODCHIPS OUT OF CLEARFELLING FORESTS
Is enough being done to try secure higher education in the shire once Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? YES AND ITS ONLY BEING DONE BY THE SHIRE OF YARRA RANGES WITH THE HELP OF OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITY
WE WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO KEEP EDUCATION IN ALL FORMS IN LILYDALE FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN FOR THE FUTURE
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? IF IT EVER WAS IT SHOULD ONLY BE AROUND SOME OF OUR SMALLER
TOWNSHIPS TO BOOST THEIR LIVEABILITY
Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? NO IT SHOULD NOT
THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON THE SAME LEVEL IN STATE AND FEDERAL SCHEMES.
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BRIAN PHILLIPS
Suburb of residence: Lilydale
Occupation: Director of Mercury Principle Events
How long have you lived in Yarra Ranges? 54 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, first time candidate.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which party do you most identify? I joined the Liberal Party in 2012 but I stand as an independent with no association to the Liberal Party and without any funding from them.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes I am committed to serve the whole term.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? At present I am self funding my campaign and will make decisions during the campaign as to the amount I spend. I don’t anticipate any funds from any outside contributors.
Who will you direct your preferences to? My first preference will go to Clive Larkman, as he has similar views to myself on many issues facing the shire as does Maria Mc Carthy who I have place second on my preferences.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have lived in the local area for the majority of my life, during this time I have been involved with the Lilydale Football Club either as a player, coach, committee member and supporter. I am past board member of St Patricks Primary School, Lilydale and have two children attending schools locally.
What do you think being a councillor involves? To work with rate payers as their representative to ensure their voice is heard by the council. As a councillor you have the responsibility to safeguard the environment while balancing the need for development and providing opportunities for housing and employment. I would provide a balanced view on council expenditure with the needs and requests of the ratepayers.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? There many issues facing the Ward of Billanook these include the need to increase maintenance of roads, drains and amenities. The much needed upgrading of the Nelson Road, Gateway Sporting Reserve is a priority to provide year round safe sporting facilities for our teenagers. Also to address the anomalies that exist in some of the green wedge classifications that have small pockets surrounded by development.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Yarra Ranges?
* Affordable housing has long been an issue and more needs to be done to address is.
* Initiatives that support business and create employment whether they are in small, medium or large businesses, particularly for youth and those re-entering the workforce.
* Tourism operators need ongoing support to continue building a strong and viable industry. I believe the entire Yarra Valley would benefit substantially if funding could be secured to re-establish the Lilydale to Healesville Railway through employment creation and as an alternative transport option reducing vehicle traffic and promoting tourism.
* Finding a balance between development and the environment is an ongoing issue that needs constant work throughout the shire.
Where do you stand on the logging currently taking place in Toolangi? Should it be stopped or does it have a rightful place to continue? I believe that this industry has a place in the district as long as the guidelines are strictly adhered to. I personally think there must be a better way than “Clear Fell” logging as it leaves the area stripped and a visual blight, I would prefer to see a selective logging policy used in the area. However the companies involved in the logging are following the regulations and have permits currently to do this work. They should be allowed to continue without harassment while the debate continues with state government.
Is enough being done to try secure higher education in the shire once Swinburne’s Lilydale campus closes? Swinburne is a major priority that needs immediate action to try and maintain it’s presence as a learning facility. I believe negotiations are in progress and hopefully they will reach a favourable outcome in the coming months.
Should the urban growth boundary be extended further in the Yarra Ranges? What sort of development would you allow? Yes I support development that will not harshly affect areas that are environmentally sensitive; there are many locations within the Shire that could withstand further development such as Coldstream. Since the first development there was completed in the 60’s it was always the plan to open additional stages. This would assist in increasing numbers in the Primary School and help the local businesses that have been suffering for many years. As part of this development it could be assisted by the reinstatement of the Lilydale to Healesville railway as I stated previously.
Yarra Ranges Council is looking at a $15 million bill to top up the local government super fund. Is a rate rise justified to pay this unexpected fee? Is a rate increase justified? No, but what choice is there apart from slashing services and jobs. This continued financial pressures on ratepayers via increased rates to top up these short falls needs to be addressed and plans set in motion that stop the need for the continual rate increases that have seen rates sky rocket in the past 10 years. Additional developments would provide some relief with increased income.
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