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 Priorities Upgrading Council's Housing Strategy to prioritise improved access to social and affordable housing for those adversely affected by the current housing crisis. Providing improved walking, cycling and biodiversity corridors across our city and particularly in the new developments in the Fishermans Bend precinct Ensuring that families have access to Council supported childcare facilities in their own neighbourhood. Ensuring that Council remains the main point of contact for older residents accessing In-Home Care. Redrafting Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan with clearly defined ambitious targets including the strengthening of the recently adopted Urban Forest Strategy to increase the rate that we are "greening Port Phillip" Increasing the support for Council's advisory committees such as OPAC, LGBTIQA+ and YAC, and establish a Disability Advisory Committee
To Advance These Priorities, I would At the first meeting of the new Council, retable Cr Nyaguy's recent motion re declaring a Housing Emergency and its recommendations, for discussion by the new Council Seek to have a community consultation on upgrading the targets for the Climate Emergency Action Plan and the Urban Forest Strategy Work with the Older Persons Advisory Committee to provide critical feedback to Council Officers and Council on Council's In-Home Care reforms to ensure that no older person in Port Phillip is disadvantaged by the reforms and that as many as possible are better off as a result of these reforms. Commit to improving existing childcare centres and establishing new Council operated ones in areas of need (eg Fishermans Bend). Seek a review of the governance rules of our advisory committees
I bring, amongst others, the following attributes/experiences • Four years as a current Councillor with a strong track record of supporting progressive policies in areas such as addressing climate change, maintaining and improving childcare centres, and the provision of additional social and affordable housing • Thirty years teaching in Port Phillip (including 19 years as a principal and 3 as an Assistant Principal) • Active current involvement in many local organisations including Council's OPAC and LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committees, the Bubup Womindjeka FCC, several local sporting clubs and Board Member of Housing First. I am as up to date as possible with all issues affecting the residents of Port Phillip • A strong track record in chairing Boards as diverse as the Science Teachers Association of Victoria, sporting clubs, and a local kindergarten, giving me a sound understanding of the governance principles involved in an organisation such as our Council
Strengthening local democracy: Sound Governance.
It is only through good governance that a framework affirming the interests of now and the future, would ever be implemented.
The way to do this is through:
1. A robust Council plan that articulates a community-led vision over the next term of Council.
2. Restoring community-led deputations to Council so there is a formal mechanism for Council to respond to community initiatives. Current opportunities for genuine public engagement are limited, reducing Councillors' direct response to community issues.
3. Requiring Council to report annually on the progression of actions within strategies and plans and other council initiatives. This would provide a critical accountability tool for the community, so it can assess Council performance relating to pledges on sustainable transport and climate change, as well as other initiatives.
Strengthening our community: maintain and improve Council services.
Sound governance leads to better service delivery, ensuring Council delivers and improves the quality of life for older residents, people with disabilities, parents and children.
The way to do this is through:
1. Co-designing service delivery with lived experience community stakeholders to ensure Council’s services are improving their lives.
2. Respecting and welcoming our communities, including LGBTQA+ and cultural diversity across Port Phillip.
3. Cherishing our community arts sector as a critical conduit for promoting critical thought and community connectedness.
Protecting our environment.
Council needs to lead by example and reduce the impact of climate change. Where it cannot deliver an outcome directly, it must proactively advocate on this issue.
The way to do this is through:
1. Ensuring Council leads by example by reducing urban heat effects, as well as reducing its environmental impact through water, waste and energy. Council needs to support residents and businesses to take action on climate change.
2. Strengthen advocacy both publicly and through Government channels so required sustainable transport improvements, including tram extensions and Melbourne Metro 2, are delivered by the State Government to support urban densification.
3. Streamlining planning processes to support new and affordable housing, through planning reforms that support housing targets, as well as that renters are a core community group within Port Phillip.
I was a former Mayor (2010) and Councillor (2005-2012) for Maroondah City Council, where I delivered stronger local democracy through community-led deputations involving the community in decision-making. I compelled Council to establish a sustainability team, delivering energy and water usage reductions across council facilities and supporting our communities in the climate transition. I also worked in partnership with other councils to establish effective advocacy that delivered upgraded bus services and the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. I am employed within the community services sector and have a background in community advocacy through the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). Most recently, I have shown my ability to deliver community change, by being part of community led efforts to improve off-leash dog parks and reverse Council’s attempts to reduce spaces for pets.