By-election candidates emerge

Hamish Heard
A fishmonger, a former teacher and a unionist will put their hands up for a seat on Geelong’s council at next month’s Deakin ward by-election.
But their runs face a challenge after former Cricket Australia supremo Bob Merriman announced yesterday he was “seriously considering” throwing his hat in the ring.
Mr Merriman, a former chairman of both Cricket Australia and Victorian Building Industry Consultative Committee, has until April 1 to decide whether he will stand.
Liberal Party members Trish McLure and Andrew Katos and Labor’s Andy Richards, all of Highton, confirmed they would run for the seat left vacant after the resignation of former councillor Shane Dowling.
Ratepayers will spend $50,000 on the by-election to replace Mr Dowling until November’s council elections.
Mr Katos, 37, runs Geelong family company Katos Fish Supply.
He said he would contest the election on a platform of keeping rates low and improving car parking throughout the city.
“I’ve also got very strong thoughts on planning issues and I’m certainly not in favour of giving away the city’s planning powers to Spring Street,” he said.
Mr Katos believed the ward needed more recreational facilities and improvements to infrastructure including footpaths and roads.
Ms McLure, 35, a former teacher and professional writer, said she would campaign for hard rubbish collections and free tip vouchers for ratepayers.
She accused council of at-tempting to sneak through tighter dog and cat ownership laws without consulting pet owners.
Ms McLure also pledged to push council into boosting its efforts in advocating for the city’s economic prosperity.
“Every time you see someone advocating for Geelong it seems to be the Committee for Geelong but I see that as council’s role.”
Mr Richards, 38, works for Australian Manufacturing Wor-kers Union.
He listed addressing bypass traffic and noise concerns and improving car parking facilities at Marshall Railway Station as his priorities.
He also wanted council to act on easing traffic chaos on the three Barwon River crossings accessing Deakin ward.