With postal voting for Geelong council elections opening this week, the Independent asked Bellarine ward candidates why residents should vote for them.
Tom Harrison
I have nominated as a candidate for the Bellarine ward, as I seek to make a positive contribution to our community. I’m running as an independent and will seek to act in accordance with the best interests of all people on the Bellarine. I seek to help support the regional economy, promote sustainable development – ensuring appropriate infrastructure while protecting the natural environment – and ensure maximum value for ratepayers.
Elise Wilkinson
I’m running for council to be a part of the change to respond to the climate emergency. I’m standing to give voice to the thousands of young people, like my own children, who marched to demand action but who cannot vote. We have a statement of emergency and a strategic plan to reach zero carbon emissions by 2030 but with no clear targets of how we reduce emissions. I stand for transparency and accountability, and like many people in our community have been shocked at some of the decisions made by council in the last year. We all need to work together to bring this change and sustainable development now. There is no later.
Jim Mason
I’ve worked hard over the last three years; led three portfolios, been active on 18 council committees, made significant contributions and rarely missed a meeting.
I have achieved a lot, but there is much more to do:
• More to improve sporting, social, cultural and city services.
• More to protect outlying towns and to limit development on the Bellarine.
• More action to mitigate local and global climate and biodiversity threats.
Independent and consultative, I always apply evidence-based, scientific criteria to decision making. With rich and diverse leadership experience, I understand the need for careful, targeted, COVID recovery packages to support those most in need.
Michael Fairweather
I’m running for council on the Bellarine ward as we seem to have lost representation down here, with the focus being extremely Geelong-centric. If elected I will focus on listening to and representing all the people on the Bellarine, working for local business to grow and recover as well as increasing an expanding tourist market that will hopefully take off after our COVID-19 lockdown. Whilst the council is supporting all our sporting clubs, this still needs to expand and also cover other areas of social interaction.
We need to work towards fairer rates and charges, and improving public transport and its hubs.
Cory Wolverton
I’m a father of two young children, Ocean Grove resident and social worker. My vision is to keep our community a desirable place to live, which includes an appropriate strategic vision for town boundaries. If elected, my priorities will be:
• adequate access to community health programs, particularly youth support programs, to help young people overcome challenges relating to mental health, education, family and peer relationships;
• environmental sustainability through renewable energy projects and careful land management that protects biodiversity in our coast, wetlands and reserves; and
• innovative urban design to increase walking and bike paths and improve public spaces.
Trent Sullivan
Bellarine residents deserve more services and infrastructure. As your representative I’ve delivered funding for a new pool, childcare centres, sporting reserves, community hubs, school safety upgrades, senior citizen centres, new playgrounds, streetscapes and I will keep fighting for more. I locked in our town boundaries to preserve our green breaks to stop suburban sprawl and keep the Bellarine beautiful. Bellarine ratepayers deserve as much return on their hard-earned dollars as inner-city Geelong residents receive. If re-elected I promise to fight for a greater share of funding for the Bellarine.
Tom O’Connor
I’m running for council to help create a healthy and safe environment for all; to embrace new ideas and better ways to work and to make people the centre of our business. As co-founder of the Bellarine Community Council in 2018, I initiated and co-ordinated the Plan Bellarine project to help local and state governments to better understand our local issues through community engagement.
I have continued working with community leaders, investor groups and council and government representatives on various projects.
These include the repurposing of the Drysdale Waste facility, recycled water, increased employment opportunities within our tourism industry and support for those less fortunate.
Stephanie Asher
I was honoured to be elected in 2017 and to be the first Bellarine-based mayor of greater Geelong. My priority is listening to local voices who tell me they want rates spent on shared trails, swimming pools, arts venues, decent roads and local streetscapes. We want our peninsula protected and developed in a respectful, sustainable way. I led unanimous council support for prioritising climate change and considering sustainability across all activities in the organisation. If re-elected, I will continue to drive the North Bellarine pool project, create trail links and bike paths, protect town boundaries and set higher performance targets.
Steve Simmonds
I’m running to stop council waste, return free parking everywhere and secure free hard waste collection. We need more libraries and parks for families to enjoy; you shouldn’t have to drive for a decent playground. Keep boat ramps free and promote our glorious waterways for all uses including water skiing and more. We need to significantly slow down development until adequate provision of infrastructure is made. The current system is failing with ever-increasing traffic problems and the only solution seems to be a speed hump here, a traffic light there and parking meters everywhere. I want accountability returned to public office. We need more off-leash dog areas and dedicated motocross tracks to return.
Naomi Adams
Like the majority of our community acknowledged in council’s Clever and Creative Vision, I’m concerned for the future of our planet.
I recognise the reality of the climate emergency and our potential to contribute to its reduction. I would advocate to cap housing developments, maintain green spaces and wildlife corridors on our beautiful peninsula and support environmental projects for our oceans and beaches. I would also embrace improved public transport and cycling opportunities. I’m also concerned about local businesses on the Bellarine and would advocate to assist them to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as we are largely a tourism-driven community.
