By Luke Voogt
Geelong’s council candidates have promised the city good governance if they take office according to this week’s Geelong Indy survey.
Twelve of the 37 candidates who responded to the survey this week ranked governance as their top priority, including two sacked councillors recontesting in this month’s election.
Peter Murrihy, who was last to join the council before State Government sacked it in April 2016, labelled governance as the number one issue.
“Sets of eyes from everywhere will be watching,” he said.
“We must get it right.”
Former mayor and fellow sacked councillor Bruce Harwood stressed the need for unity, as did newcomer Ken Dickens.
“A well governed council that’s working cohesively will ensure priorities are addressed equally,” Mr Harwood said.
Waurn Ponds’ Brent Lyons-Lee, who will contest for the Kardinia Ward, also chose governance first out of 10 issues in the Indy survey.
“This, in turn, will guide the other nine important issues towards an exciting and sustainable future for Geelong,” he said.
Brownbill Greens candidate Sarah Mansfield said governance was the most common issue Geelong ratepayers had raised with her.
“Without this, the other functions of council cannot be performed well,” she said.
Another six councillors rated governance in their top three priorities.
The then-Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins cited “poor” governance when she sacked Geelong council.
Governance narrowly beat the Geelong Administrators’ Clever and Creative Vision, with 11 councillors labelling the plan their top priority.
The administrators spent more than $500,000 and nine months consulting Geelong residents to prepare their “blueprint” for Geelong’s future.
Brownbill candidate Sarah Hathway backed the “16,000 residents (who) had input into that vision”.
While only three candidates labelled council services their top priority, more than half rated the category in their top three.
Brownbill candidate Stephen Simmons said the council should to return to focussing on the basics.
“Roads, rubbish, public spaces and all other core council services, should always be the principle focus of local government, providing them affordably, efficiently and sustainably.”
Windermere candidate Anthony Aitken echoed the sentiment.
“The community in the north wants a council that cares, with potholes fixed, footpaths renewed and a hard waste collection system.”
The Indy received 37 responses out of 53 candidates to its survey which covered council services, financial management, regional development, governance, the environment, social issues, the Clever and Creative Vision, crime, jobs and other issues.
