Balaclava Ward

How to Vote Card

Candidate Assessment Responses

Progressive Port Phillip is a public campaign for stronger local democracy and a fairer, safer and more sustainable community. Many residents have asked us to provide guidance on candidates.

Over recent weeks all candidates standing in the October 2024 Port Phillip Council election were surveyed.

The first part of the Progressive Port Phillip assessment asked candidates to affirm a broad and principled Progressive Port Phillip policy framework.

Additionally, we asked 3 questions:

  • What are your key priorities in the policy framework and why?
  • What would you do to advance these priorities?
  • What’s the most important attribute you bring that will enable Council to achieve this policy framework?

We also sought information from other sources including VEC statements, election material, TWiSK, candidate websites, affiliations and statements made on Council matters.

The outcome gives us hope that if elected, a number of candidates will support the whole Port Phillip community, work with the community to address climate change threats to homes and businesses, support more social housing and vulnerable renters, keep services in public hands and plan for our young people’s future.

And it indicates that the next Council could work to strengthen our local democracy so that all the people of the community are heard and respected.

If candidates did not affirm the policy framework it indicated that the strength of their commitment to a fairer, safer sustainable community was below expectations.

Advocacy for a rate freeze inevitably means cutting services. We recommend that voters should preference against candidates who have advocated such policies. Our council needs sound financial stewardship, not political stunts. [Read more here]

Below you can see the responses of all the candidates who responded.

My key priority from the policy framework is to maintain and improve services as they are a core function of our council. Community services are foundational in building resilience and equipping people to respond to the challenges of our time such as climate change, the housing crisis and cost of living pressures. These services are best delivered locally and when supported by neighbourhood networks and connections. I also support promotion of urban planning that prioritises positive environmental impacts and pedestrian focused streetscape amenity. The wellbeing impacts of well-maintained green spaces and safe footpaths are proven, and improvement is needed in Balaclava ward.

I am a renter and founding delegate to our local branch of RAHU (Renting And Housing Union), 55% of all residence being those of the none asset class and understanding the health and social problems that arise with being a renter I wish to organise an Advisory Committee that can be a voice for those 60,000 of us locals that receive less and are largely forgotten by council. Next year In Our Backyard (affordable housing) policy will need renewing and we need that voice there at the very least. We have great examples already of advisory committee like OPAC and LGBTQIIA+

All the policies outlined in the framework are ones that align with my values and vision for Council, however if I had to pick the key priorities from within the framework it would be: · ‘protecting our environment’; we simply do not have time or capacity left to not be prioritising the environment and must be doing more to take the climate crisis seriously at a local level. · ‘strengthening local democracy’; I believe firmly in, and research the potential of co-governance models. I know there is so much existing valuable knowledge, care and leadership within our community. Council needs to be doing more to recognise, value and work collaboratively with the strengths of its own community.