Ahead of next month’s council election, the Independent asked Kardinia ward candidates why residents should vote for them.
Jack Williams
I’m a young, passionate individual hoping to become a fresh voice for the community. I believe young people are underrepresented in government and I want to change that. Our youth are our future and I want to advocate and be a voice for them, supporting and developing them in our community. I would like to see a Geelong where everybody is included and able to participate. I want to be a part of change that sees a sustainable future – socially, economically, environmentally. For a future we can count on, vote one Jack Williams.
Jen Gamble
I’m a registered nurse and have always committed my time to helping others. Grounded by my belief that all lives have value, I have a strong sense of justice and I care deeply for both the animals and people that make up our community. I’m committed to all the organisations I represent and continuously work hard to serve my community through these roles. I want to support initiatives that protect our environment and biodiversity, and provide practical solutions for co-existence with local wildlife, as well as programs to care for the mental and physical wellbeing of the community.
Atamjit Singh
After nine years’ experience working as a community worker, I understand grassroots community issues. I have represented the Sikh and Indian communities at various multicultural platforms. As an education consultant, I work closely with young students and understand the role of education in community’s growth.I have a vision for a progressive, decisive, diverse and more liveable Geelong. I will advocate for sustainable planning, better roads, modern sports and recreation facilities, achieving climate change targeted framework, better parks, new libraries in the growth regions and continuous upgrades of existing libraries, and stopping graffiti.
Pat Murnane
I believe I have provided a trusted and independent voice at City Hall, and I plan to continue fearlessly facing every issue free from any alliance. I recently called for a report into the deteriorating level of social inequity as a result of COVID-19 and asked council to consider investment programs to restore prosperity and wellbeing. I have also taken the lead on many other important projects involving emergency food relief, homelessness and social housing, and remain highly-motivated to see them through, as well as advocating for positive change on issues such as sustainability, climate change and alternative transport. As chair of a number of council portfolios, I have used my extensive business expertise to provide balanced and informed decision-making.
Bruce Harwood
I’m running in Kardinia ward to continue prioritising the health and wellbeing of our community – our physical and mental health is paramount. We must further enhance our open areas, and sporting, recreation and aged care facilities. Our environment is under stress from strong development. We need to ensure the sustainability of our environment – in particular our local waterways and parklands. Community engagement and feedback here is critical. I want to continue the war on waste, particularly on illegal dumping, and a greater commitment to eliminating graffiti, while always maintaining a focus on the road and footpath infrastructure in our ward.
Mark Brunger
Geelong needs fresh faces and new ideas to move forward. Living in the Marshall-Armstrong Creek area, I don’t feel enough is being done in terms of infrastructure there for residents and families, which places them at a disadvantage. Some roads, footpaths and parks are not being considered in the remainder of the ward. As a lifelong Geelong resident, I’m proud of our city, however, I feel we need to do more to modernise, and in terms of culture, infrastructure and making the region the most liveable in Australia. I’m also keen to see that council provides the right support to help all of Geelong, not just the CBD, break through the COVID barrier and grow again.
Michael Stangel
I’m a father of three, a cancer survivor and have been in small business since 1992. I’m passionate about my hometown and its future. I manage a roster that includes Justice Crew, Nathaniel Willemse, Merril Bainbridge and Armstrong Creek local Taylor Henderson. It requires trust, skill, care, knowledge and, most importantly, the ability to deliver results. Tourism is crucial to the prosperity of our region, and I intend to utilise my local, national and international network to bring new and exciting opportunities to Geelong. I will listen our community to achieve better outcomes for all of Geelong and put my leadership, experience and expertise to work to make us even prouder to call Geelong home.
Andrew Alexander
As a local resident, small business owner and father-of-two, I understand the issues that Geelong people care about.
I will work hard to ensure that council delivers:
• projects that attract young people to live, study and work in our community to boost our local economy and stimulate new job opportunities;
• improved parking, traffic management and accessible public transport infrastructure;
• sustainable rubbish and recycling services that minimise our waste; and,
• better planning outcomes to position Geelong as a major tourist destination starting with improved transport links to Avalon Airport and the Spirit of Tasmania.
Council will address many important issues during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the right decisions will benefit of everyone in our community.
Ron Nelson
As your local councillor, I delivered for our community and kept my election promises. I permanently saved and improved local libraries, delivered free hard rubbish collections, doubled the anti-graffiti budget and delivered free CBD parking. I’m a frontline worker helping people with disabilities, and if re-elected promise to continue listening to you, standing with our community, and ensuring your essential needs are delivered. I always stand with our community on planning issues. I believe infrastructure is invaluable to building our communities, and provides a heartbeat in our neighbourhoods. COVID-19 recovery includes low rates, incentives, hardship policies while also building a circular recycling economy, extensive tree planting, a container deposit scheme and more.
Belinda Moloney
I’m an IT professional, university lecturer and musician who is committed to fostering sustainable economic growth to support job creation while protecting Geelong’s iconic natural environment and connecting its community. I’m running in Kardinia ward to ensure Geelong’s future includes savvy investments in technology, including business precinct development and renewable energy incentives for ratepayers. An expert in information systems, career education and employment, I’m passionate about encouraging women to take up IT and STEM careers, and in my spare time, I’m an avid gardener, competitive powerlifter, amateur musician and average poet.
Andy Richards
It’s time our community in southern Geelong got a fair go, and some real representation back on council. The current council seem only interested in Geelong CBD. Like you, I’m tired of hearing about council building great projects somewhere else, while the southern suburbs miss out. If I’m elected, I will take action to bring council’s focus back to our local community, delivering projects and services as quickly as possible. I’ll oppose any outsourcing, privatising or contracting out of essential council services. I’ll oppose fee increases for council services, like childcare, meals on wheels, pet registration, homecare and leisure facilities. Let’s get Geelong council back working for you.
Anthony Hamilton-Smith
I’m self-employed and run a small Geelong-based design practice specialising in sustainable hospitality. As a councillor, I want to be the everyday person who makes a difference to ordinary people in our electorate. I will push for creating secure meaningful work in the sustainable local industry; we have existing infrastructure that will lend itself to excellent opportunities for our community. This requires innovation, education and employment to benefit Geelong into the future. As a Greens candidate, I will give a voice to health, employment, education, action on climate change, sustainability, active transport (walking and cycling), the environment and diverse communities in Kardinia.
