Centralised: Brownbill candidate Greg McDonald.
By Noel Murphy
FORGET the mayoral race, Geelong needs to focus on its new councillors and it needs to fix its city centre.
That’s the campaign pitch by outspoken Brownbill ward hopeful Greg McDonald, a real estate agent with his eyes firmly fixed on the city centre portfolio.
“Everyone’s focussed on the mayoral vote but the mayor is just one vote in the council and can’t achieve anything without at least six councillors voting with him,” Mr McDonald said.
“It’s the councillors you need, not just the mayor, whoever he or she is. It’s the councillors who do the gruntwork.’’
Mr McDonald said he was openly appalled at the damage sustained by the city as dozens of shops pull down the shutters and exit the central activities area. He blames parking, heavy trucks and city red tape.
He says commercial property valuations have plummeted, in some cases by 40 per cent, and council revenue accordingly.
“But revenue previously raised from the CBD has to be picked up elsewhere,’’ he said.
“And it’s the average ratepayer in Geelong who’s paying for the council inaction in fixing the CBD.’’
Mr McDonald is contesting a six-way battle for Brownbill against Angelo Kakouros, Michelle Heagney, Margrette Lewis, Gail Cook and Renee Otmar.
He argues no small business wants to set up in the city centre because city shopping has become grudge shopping with parking access and costs the key issues.
“It’s just a pain to come into town,’’ McDonald said.
“The only reason people come into town is for a specific purpose, not to browse other shops or have a coffee with a friend they meet on the street.
“The councillors responsible for the CBD don’t care because there’s no votes there.’’
McDonald wants shop-top living actively encouraged and developers assisted with car parking. He says students and professionals could breathe new life into the city but city hall needed to demonstrate some urgency on the issue.
“All this needs is someone one with a passion and I want that city CBD portfolio,’’ he said.
“There’s so much can be done and I’m not talking about spending ratepayers’ money.
“I’m talking about making it possible for private investment to get in, profit is not a dirty word you know.’’
