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.
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
Libby Buckingham
I affirm the Progressive Port Phillip Policy Framework.
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 will support and advocate for better funding and resourcing of council services, infrastructure and green space. When making decisions I will consider the environmental impacts and seek to implement world’s best practice design in the municipality. An immediate reform need is better tree and footpath management, as this is having a detrimental impact on our natural environment and creating barriers for people with mobility constraints to access community. I will engage and consult with residents on the strategy, processes and direction of the council. Meaningful community engagement will help us achieve better outcomes, assist with managing change and foster innovation.
A key attribute is my ability to work with others to achieve shared objectives. I am a leader who considers the needs and ideas of others. I know how to work with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders to build coalitions for change and achieve better outcomes for the community. I also have experience of listening tours, co-design projects, and engaging with people who face barriers to participation. My experience in teaching, government and the community services sector mean I know how to think through challenging issues and make strategic and fair decisions.
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
Alex Darton
I wholeheartedly support your detailed policy framework.
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+
The trees all around me in the streets and yards of Elwood and those along Brighton Rd are disappearing at an alarming rate. That is what first drove me to speak at council and things have only gotten more dire. I would recommend an increase in the budget to the Urban Forest Strategy to be able to front load street tree planting. With the upcoming precinct plans, a massive part of the UFS, I would advance a massive engagement plan to reach every member of the first precinct. Using deliberative processes for our community members, combining this with training/volunteering of the locals, I would try to foster real urban tree stewardship. In the choice of tree species and where the first are to be planted and with the actual planting itself. Add to this watering, mulching, formative pruning and general care, would create many positive and healthy and financially fiscal outcomes for us all. I also see the need for shaded walk and wheel paths in the near future. This again could be quickly and cheaply done with multiple social benefits by just re zoning our many and beautiful laneways so we can erect archways that will clear the height of vehicles and have vines growing up them watered by the runoff from the houses backing onto them.
I would engage our local first nations residence and advisory bodies as much as possible in all things.
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
Rachel Iampolski
I affirm the Progressive Port Phillip Policy Framework.
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.
Protecting our environment and strengthening local democracy both require a system-wide approach if we are to achieve meaningful change towards these priorities. Centring climate justice and community participation in all Council decision and policy making will be the first step. On a more practical and immediate level, to tackle climate change I will push for an ambitious urban forest strategy (to assist with biodiversity and reduce urban heat island effect), incentivising active transport to reduce emissions through strategic street design and urban planning, centring water-sensitive design (with a focus on flood mitigation) into plans (both for existing infrastructure and for future developments), support renters to utilise clean energy through a solar bulk buying scheme, and advocate for an increase to the mandatory ESD requirements for new builds. Local democracy strengthening measures will include identifying and working with community leaders to develop initiatives, hosting regular community forums and roundtables including through sessions at the library, and advocating for a participatory budgeting trial for a set proportion of Councils annual surplus to help get community-focused initiatives funded. I also see the need for shaded walk and wheel paths in the near future. This again could be quickly and cheaply done with multiple social benefits by just re zoning our many and beautiful laneways so we can erect archways that will clear the height of vehicles and have vines growing up them watered by the runoff from the houses backing onto them.
My background in urban governance research means I have up-to-date knowledge on the leading best practices for how we achieve sustainable and inclusive neighbourhoods, as well as core belief in evidence-based policy and decision making. My work in community engagement and as an advocate for issues like public housing, means I am skilled in working with diverse voices, and ensuring that those who are traditionally excluded from engagement practices or from decision making in general, are actually heard and valued.