Update: Election results – Moreland Council gets a shakeup
Update: Candidate responses as of Monday 22 October.
- Candidates and links to responses
- Questionnaire
- Moreland Leader candidate profiles, north east ward Councillor attendance record
- Candidate Responses
Moreland Council Wards
Representative democracy is a sham without the views of candidates being made available for voters to be informed. If your like some of us, you like to know who you are voting for. With very little public exposure of candidates views, Sustainable Fawkner wanted to canvas the opinions and policies by candidates on sustainability and environmental issues which we are concerned about. Replies will be collated and published on this page as a public service to electors for North East Ward.
The following questionnaire as sent out by email on Saturday 13 October to all 17 candidates that provided the VEC with a contact email address.
List of Candidates North East Ward (order taken from VEC)
Current councillors standing for re-election are marked with an asterisk. While the Greens have two endorsed candidates, neither the Labor Party nor the Liberal Party have endorsed any candidates or formal tickets. Members of these parties are standing effectively as Independants. I have indicated their party membership affiliation in this list from Question 15, or from their candidate profile as published by the Moreland Leader, solely as a general guide to assist electors:
BOLTON, Sue (Emailed, Response) Socialist Alliance
* THOMPSON, Lenka (Emailed, Response) Greens
RAFFOUL, Marleine (Emailed) ALP (Source: Moreland Leader)
DADLEH, Kyle (Emailed) Liberal Party member (Source: Moreland Leader)
* TETI, Michael (Emailed) ALP (Source: Moreland Leader)
CHALHOUB, Tony (No contact details)
* HELOU, Anthony (Emailed) ALP member (Source: Moreland Leader)
CROTTY, Daniel (Emailed) Independent (Source: Moreland Leader)
MINEHAN, Shaun Kevin (Phone only)
ELLEISSY, Mohammed (Emailed) Independent, former member of Greens (Source: Moreland Leader)
LA PORTA, Michael (Emailed, Response) Independent
* KARIOFYLLIDIS, Stella (Emailed) ALP (Source: Moreland Leader)
LIBEROGIANNIS, Steve (Emailed) None (Source: Moreland Leader)
ARDICA, Giuseppe (Emailed) ALP (Source: Moreland Leader)
TIMPANO, Francesco (Emailed) None (Source: Moreland Leader)
OUAIDA, Jocelyn Ali (Phone only) ALP (Source: Moreland Leader)
THOMPSON, Rob (Emailed, Response) Independent, Liberal Party member
HUMPHREYS, Robert Allan (Emailed, Response) Greens
WRIGHT, Alex (Phone only)
AGHA EL ALI, Inaam (Phone only)
ELRAFIHI, Mohamed (Phone only) ALP (Source: Moreland Leader)
HAYEK, Bilal (No contact details)
RYDER, Damon (Emailed)
JACOMB, Jennifer Belinda (Emailed, Response) ALP member
Questionnaire to Moreland Council candidates for North East ward about sustainability and environmental issues
Community Houses
1. Neighbourhood houses like Sussex street and Fawkner Community House are a crucial meeting point and resource for the multi-cultural communities of Moreland and sometimes require support and funding for renewal and redevelopment. Do you support Council funding for community house renewal and redevelopment programs?
Parklands
2. Merri and Moonee Ponds creeks are important parklands which provide shared recreational areas as well as nurturing important urban bio-diversity. Do you support maintaining or increasing funding for the community based groups who maintain the parklands?
3. How would you encourage urban green space especially as Fawkner, Coburg and Moreland generally becomes more densely populated with subdivision and redevelopment?
Local Environmental Education
4. In the past successful environmental education programs have been run in primary schools in Fawkner teaching kids about indigenous plants and native ecosystems. These programs have been dropped or cut in recent years. Do you support council funding of local environmental education programs in Moreland schools?
Climate Change
5. Moreland Council has a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and carbon footprint. How do you envision fostering community behaviours in reducing carbon emissions?
6. Waste collection and disposal is a major council cost with significant carbon emissions. Waste reduction and recycling reduces council costs and reduces council’s carbon footprint. Did you participate in the Council program ‘Zero Waste for a Week Challenge’ in June 2012?
Public Transport
7. Do you support pressuring the Victorian State Government in making Gowrie Station a dual Zone 1+2 station?
8. Do you support co-ordination of bus routes with train timetables and reducing multi-zone inefficiencies and extra costs that many residents of the northern suburbs of Moreland have to put up with.
Cycling
9. Moreland Council has a bikeplan supporting development of bike paths and on-road bike lanes and cycling infrastructure in Fawkner and Moreland generally. Bicycle Network Victoria recommends a minimum budget spend of at least $5.00 per person for middle-urban councils like Moreland. Do you support continued funding at this level or greater for your term in office?
10. Uptake of Cycling is booming in southern parts of the municipality. How would you work as a Councillor to encourage more cycling in the northern parts of the municipality?
11. Do you support ride to school programs in the northern suburbs of the municipality?
12. Do you support the extension of the Upfield Path past Box Forest Rd to the Western Ring Road path and encourage Hume Council to extend the route further along the rail corridor as the Craigieburn rail path?
13. Boundary Road bike lane is not a safe cycle route with much vehicle traffic and vanishing bicycle lanes at intersections. Will you support development of quiet and safe east-west bike on-road routes in the north of the municipality?
14. Crossing Munro street at Coburg on the Upfield Bike Path can be particularly harrowing and dangerous due to the amount and speed of vehicle traffic, especially if cycling with small children. Do you support making this crossing safe for pedestrians and cyclists?
Party Political Affiliation (if any)
15. To assist electors in general, are you a member of a registered political party? If yes, would you please disclose which party you are a member of?
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Please check back on this page in the week before polling day for updates.
Related: Bicycle Network have also set up a Facebook page for Moreland VoteBike which canvasses cycling issues in Moreland. Moreland Bicycle Users Group has done an online survey of candidates for Moreland Council on cycling issues including responses from north east ward candidates.
Moreland Leader Candidate profiles and attendance record
Moreland Leader has published basic candidate profiles. The newspaper also highlighted the attendance record of current councillors. For 17 Council Meetings Between July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012 north east ward councillors had the following attendance:
- Cr Stella Kariofyllidis attended 16 (with one alternate council commitment)
- Cr Anthony Helou attended 16 (with one alternate council commitment),
- Cr Lenka Thompson (elected January 2012 replacing Cr Toby Archer) attended 13,
- Cr Michael Teti attended just 7 meetings.
Candidate Responses:
The following candidates provided emailed responses to the questionnaire:
Sue Bolton, Lenka Thompson, Michael La Porta, Robert Thompson, Jennifer Jacomb
Sue Bolton
1. Community house renewal and redevelopment programs
Sue BOLTON: I do support council funding for community house renewal and redevelopment programs. I think the funding needs to be sufficient so that it is cheaper for community groups to hire rooms for meetings. A lot of meeting rooms in different parts of Moreland are quite expensive for groups without funds to hire.
2. Funding community based groups who maintain our parklands
Sue BOLTON: I certainly support maintaining the funding. I but I would be prepared to increase funding if that is needed because the it is important to preserve these creeks.
3. Preserving Urban green space as Moreland’s population grows
Sue BOLTON: This is a challenge. This year, the state government built a new school on a park in Glenroy. I think there needs to be a thorough investigation of green spaces across Moreland plus the development of a plan to increase green space, especially as all of the people living in the new developments don’t have yards/gardens. The new developments mean that there is a need for an increase in green space which is going to be a challenge
It also means that there needs to be more regulation with developments than occurs at the moment, including forcing developers to include green space as part of their developments.
4. Local environmental education programs in Moreland schools
Sue BOLTON: It could be possible to have a partnership of local and state government funding local environment education programs in school. I would certainly like to see what is possible so that these programs could be re-started.
5. Fostering community behaviours in reducing carbon emissions
Sue BOLTON: While I support Council encouraging householder behaviours to reduce carbon emissions, there is a limit to how much ordinary householders can achieve. The council needs to take the lead as well as pressuring industry and businesses in Moreland to change behaviour.
Council needs to take the lead with measures such as installing solar panels on council buildings as well improving energy saving measures. Moreland industry and businesses could also be encouraged to install solar panels and introduce energy saving measures.
Council should reject any consideration of gas-fired generation for council facilities as gas is also a fossil fuel.
6. Waste reduction and recycling – Zero waste for a week challenge
Sue BOLTON: I didn’t participate in the challenge but I do support looking at ways to reduce waste and increase recycling. One thing that I would like to see is the establishment of more places where people can recycle e-waste and especially making them accessible for people who are reliant on public transport.
7. Making Gowrie Station a dual Zone 1+2 station
Sue BOLTON: Yes. At the very least, Gowrie station needs to be made a dual Zone 1+2 station, but it would be better isf we could get Zone 2 abolished altogether. I also believe that Moreland Council should push for a more frequent service on the Upfield line and a new station at Camp Road.
8. Bus routes: reducing multi-zone inefficiencies and extra costs
Sue BOLTON: I absolutely support co-ordination of bus routes and train timetables. I also think that some of the bus services need to run later at night. If we could get Zone 2 abolished, that would deal with the muli-zone problems that youmention.
9. Support for recommended minimum Funding for cycling infrastructure
Sue BOLTON: I haven’t done a proper examination of the budget to see what dollar amount is necessary and possible, but I certainly support an increase in spending on improving the safety of bike paths and bike lanes and establishing new paths and lanes.
10. Encouraging more cycling in the northern parts of the municipality
Sue BOLTON: As you travel to the northern suburbs of Moreland – Fawkner, North Coburg, Pascoe Vale and Glenroy – the number of people cycling decreases. I believe that this is because there is less provision for safe cycling in the northern suburbs.
I support a bike path beside the Craigieburn line, an extenstion of the Upfield bike path to the Western Ring Road path and the development of more east-west bike paths.
I also believe that safety on the existing bike paths/lanes needs to be improved.
11. Cycling: Support for ride to school programs
Sue BOLTON: Yes, but this will only happen with improved safety of cycling.
12. Cycling: Extension of the Upfield Path to the Western Ring Road path
Sue BOLTON: My policy for a bike path beside the Craigieburn line, for an extenstion of the Upfield bike path to the Western Ring Road path and to develop more east-west bike paths to make cycling safer.
13. Cycling: quiet and safe east-west bike on-road routes
Sue BOLTON: I support improving the safety of existing bike lanes/paths as well as establishing new bike paths. As you travel to the northern suburbs of Moreland, the number of people cycling decreases. I believe that this is because there is less provision for safe cycling in the northern suburbs.
14. Need for a safe crossing at Munro St for pedestrians and cyclists
Sue BOLTON: Absolutely. In fact the safety of all crossings on the Upfield bike path need to be reviewed in order to improve safety.
15. Political Affiliation
Sue BOLTON: I am standing as a Socialist Alliance candidate.
Lenka Thompson and Robert Humphreys
1. Community house renewal and redevelopment programs
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: The Greens do support Council funding for community house renewal and redevelopment programs. We believe strong, cohesive and safe communities are based on recognition of the rights for all people.
We understand and appreciate the work which goes on in community houses across the municipality, and as the houses are Council assets, we acknowledge they must be part of any renewal program. Part of our Policy Statement says “The Greens on Council will … support neighbourhood houses, including prioritising the redevelopment of Sussex Street House, and the amalgamation of the two Brunswick houses to enable a more efficient and far reaching service”.
2. Funding community based groups who maintain our parklands
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Yes, The Greens whole-heartedly support maintaining AND increasing funding for community-based groups who maintain the Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek Parklands. We believe the natural environment is essential to the health and well-being of residents, and commit to advocating for high-quality and accessible open-spaces for all of Moreland.
As your question points out, these are two very important natural assets Moreland shares with its neighbours, Darebin and Moonee Valley. Part our Policy Statement says “The Greens on Council will … continue to support organisations which undertake the protection and restoration of Merri, Edgars, Merlynston, Westbreen and Moonee Ponds Creeks and local tributaries, and work with the Moonee Ponds Creek Co-ordinating Committee to re-establish is as a functioning and effective entity, with adequate funding from all Councils”.
3. Preserving Urban green space as Moreland’s population grows
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: The Greens recognise that in highly urbanised areas like Moreland, the natural environment, both public and private, is limited in scope and under pressure. Fawkner is in good stead to implement high-quality, accessible, creative and inviting urban green spaces as development in the area increases.
An important aspect of this question is urban green spaces, which can be both communal (recreational and leisure) and private. Part of our Policy Statement says The Greens would encourage open space by: implement the Moreland Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 with priority given to;
- the open space requirements identified in the Coburg structure planning processes,
- an ongoing commitment to the provision and maintenance of a minimum level of public open space per person based on proximity and population density; and
- removal of fences around sporting facilities.
- Support the Moreland Planning Scheme while seeking to ensure it is implemented in a way which increases the provision of open space; and
- Actively seek shared use agreements with schools to meet deficiencies of open space.
4. Local environmental education programs in Moreland schools
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Yes, The Greens support council funding for local environmental education programs in Moreland schools. We recognise that funding for school programs is governed primarily by the State, and would therefore actively seeking a joint agreement with the State government and other groups like the Merri Creek Management Committee to deliver a quality environmental educational program for school children in Moreland.
5. Fostering community behaviours in reducing carbon emissions
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Positive educational programs are what The Greens see as the best way of fostering community behaviours in reducing carbon emissions across the municipality. Working with community groups, like Sustainable Fawkner, neighbourhood houses, schools and traders to participate in solutions and sharing their experiences is key to encouraging groundswell.
We believe by basing all our Climate Change action on constraining global warming to less than 2 degrees, pre-industrial levels, we can actively and positively engage with community members about solutions to reducing our carbon foot-print. When you’re working towards a common goal, everyone has a greater understanding of the end result and potential benefits.
6. Waste reduction and recycling – Zero waste for a week challenge
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Unfortunately, this year’s Zero Waste for a Week Challenge slipped me by due to my energies and concentration being focused on my new role as the North-East Ward Councillor. I participated in 2011, and found it very inspiring. The thing I found most inspiring was the willingness and encouragement of traders wanting to help me with reducing my waste. Standout interactions were with traders like fish mongers, delicatessens and butchers where I was handing over re-usable containers so I could transport their provisions home. It took a bit more time to organise, but thinking of the broader benefits; it is extra time worth taking.
The Greens thrive on finding alternatives which are more environmentally sound to our everyday living, so the zero waste for a week challenge is something which aligns itself closely to our principles of caring for the earth.
7. Making Gowrie Station a dual Zone 1+2 station
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: The Greens support and will advocate for the State Government to make Gowrie Station and the whole of the Upfield Line Zone 1. There are only 2 stations on the Upfield Line which are in Zone 2, and it is nonsensical planning to isolate these two stations at the end of a Line, and discriminates against local residents.
8. Bus routes: reducing multi-zone inefficiencies and extra costs
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Yes, The Greens do support the co-ordination of bus routes with train timetables and reducing multi-zone inefficiencies and extra costs. We believe that good networked public transport is essential for a sustainable city, and public transport funding should be prioritised over road funding. It should be accessible to all residents to live full active and independent lives.
We acknowledge that multi-zone transport links compel people to drive their car to a transport stop which is in a zone that costs less, even though it may be further from their home. This defeats the purpose of public transport, clogs up the roads during peak times unnecessarily, and encourages car use contributing to the increase in green-house gases and resident cost. The Greens on council will most definitely advocate for increased and improved public transport service levels in the north of the municipality.
9. Support for recommended minimum Funding for cycling infrastructure
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: The Greens support the continued funding for at least $5/person, and will also implement the Moreland Bicycle Strategy 2011-2021. We believe with the increasing participation of cycling the $5/person will need to be increased.
My submission to Bicycle Network Victoria can be found here: https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/find/candidate/421/
And my submission to Moreland Bicycle Users Group, here: http://www.morelandbug.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Lenka-THOMPSON.pdf
10. Encouraging more cycling in the northern parts of the municipality
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Similar to The Greens’ take on engaging residents to reducing their carbon emissions; we will be incorporating positive educational programs, and further to this, creating safer passages in which to ride. We believe sustainable transport, like riding a bike, is critical to adapting to a carbon and oil constrained future. These forms of transport should be available equally across the municipality.
Part of our Policy Statement says, “The Greens on Council will work with sustainable transport groups to advocate for co-ordinated facilities across the metropolitan region”.
11. Cycling: Support for ride to school programs
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: The Greens most definitely support the ride to school programs, and especially in the northern suburbs of Moreland. We acknowledge riding education provides an important connection between physical activity, health and well-being, road safety and community participation for our children.
The Greens believe that all young people are full citizens and that they must have greater opportunities to participate in decision-making which affects their lives. The Greens on Council will use and expand existing mechanisms for young people to be consulted in Council decisions that affect their lives, and implement the Moreland Bicycle Strategy 2012-2021 which says it will work with schools which encourage physically active modes of transport to get to school, which include the Ride2School initiative.
12. Cycling: Extension of the Upfield Path to the Western Ring Road path
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: The Greens do support the extension of the Upfield Path to the Western Ring Road and also further north along the rail corridor into neighbouring municipalities.
The current Greens Councillors supported the motion moved at the October 2012 meeting that Council:
- Gives in-principle support to the concept of a Moreland to Bendigo Rail Trail, via various Moreland shared paths and the former Heathcote railway line.
- Authorises Council officers to work with other relevant Councils to advocate and progress this proposal. In particular, Council officers will join with other Councils to make concerted and urgent representation to the Growth Areas Authority and the Minister regarding the adequate provision in the planning process for active transport through routes in the Craigieburn-Wallan growth corridor.
- Writes to the Minister, relevant Councils, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Victorian Local Governance of Association and Bicycle Victoria supporting this initiative.
The Greens will continue to support and advocate for this bike path in collaboration with associated Councils.
13. Cycling: quiet and safe east-west bike on-road routes
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: The Greens support the development of high-quality bicycle infrastructure across the municipality, and particularly in the north.
We acknowledge there is a deficit of bicycle infrastructure to the north of the municipality. Part of our Policy Statement says, The Greens on council will implement the Moreland Bicycle Strategy 2012-2021 with priority given to continuing the creation of safe bicycle lanes on roads including the realignment and separation of lanes where applicable, and enlarging the bicycle network, including the provision of more effective east west links in both the north and south of the municipality.
14. Need for a safe crossing at Munro St for pedestrians and cyclists
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Absolutely. The Greens have supported on Council and will continue to support making the Upfield Bike Path crossing at Munro Street in Coburg safe for both pedestrians and cyclists.
We acknowledge the unsafe conditions and the lack of infrastructure at the crossing, and have supported the initiatives by Council to work with VicRoads and community groups like Walk on Moreland, to make this a safe north-south crossing for both pedestrians and bicyclists.
15. Political Affiliation
Lenka THOMPSON and Robert HUMPHREYS: Lenka Thompson and Robert Humphreys are proud members of The Australian Greens party.
The Greens have a comprehensive Policy Statement, which has been quoted throughout your survey, and can be found at our website, http://morelandgreens.co.cc/policies/
Michael La Porta
1. Community house renewal and redevelopment programs
Michael LA PORTA: I support Neighbourhood Houses – these like all Council public assets compete for funding for maintenance et al. I advocate strategic management of all Council assets which includes suitable depreciation upkeep, development and where necessary consolidation.
2. Funding community based groups who maintain our parklands
Michael LA PORTA: In general I applaud community groups that would chose to ‘improve’ these natural spaces – providing they have the sanctioning of the overriding authorities that are charged formally with their stewardship. Funding to such groups is occasionally warranted if broad and clear objectives are set out for the same and funds are appropriately acquitted for.
3. Preserving Urban green space as Moreland’s population grows
Michael LA PORTA: Development and higher density of population is fine so long as encroachment into established green corridors/spaces is avoided – some land use development in fact adds to and consolidates this precious green space.
4. Local environmental education programs in Moreland schools
Michael LA PORTA: It is not the responsibility of Council to fund public education in schools about the environment – no matter how worthy this endeavor is – I would seek to resist this cost shifting from Federal and State government to LG. Having sad that MCC in a broader and more general sense should contribute to local education about environmental issues.
5. Fostering community behaviours in reducing carbon emissions
Michael LA PORTA: I am concerned that MCC’s Carbon Reduction budget is excessive versus the projected returns on some of the programs undertaken – such tokenism is counter productive with this program as it is across all other Council programs that meet this criteria.
6. Waste reduction and recycling – Zero waste for a week challenge
Michael LA PORTA: No – however within my home we seek to recycle and reuse in order to limit the waste we dispose of each week. Such programs are worthy in the essential message that they convey.
7. Making Gowrie Station a dual Zone 1+2 station
Michael LA PORTA: Yes. It seems ridiculous, on the face of it, that train stations within the border of Moreland (a LG authority abutting a capital city council) would attract a Zone 2 fare.
8. Bus routes: reducing multi-zone inefficiencies and extra costs
Michael LA PORTA: As a sentiment – Yes.
9. Support for recommended minimum Funding for cycling infrastructure
Michael LA PORTA: I ride my bike everyday and have ridden to work for 15 years. Well planned and executed bicycle infrastructure for Moreland is critical for many reasons. I am concerned with $5 p/head figures without assessing the ultimate cost benefit of ‘bike’ projects…. Less spending on strategic projects is fine by me rather than wasted and misguided spending on useless projects for the sake of meeting some artificial quota.
10. Encouraging more cycling in the northern parts of the municipality
Michael LA PORTA: Infrastructure improvements and education/promotion.
11. Cycling: Support for ride to school programs
Michael LA PORTA: Yes
12. Cycling: Extension of the Upfield Path to the Western Ring Road path
Michael LA PORTA: Yes – subject to suitable route and cost implications.
13. Cycling: quiet and safe east-west bike on-road routes
Michael LA PORTA: Per point 9 and point 5. If suitable routes can be identified and supported then establishing them formally should be strategically adopted.
14. Need for a safe crossing at Munro St for pedestrians and cyclists
Michael LA PORTA: Absolutely. The crossing at Bell Street was too long coming and this hole should be plugged too for the benefit of many.
15. Political Affiliation
Michael LA PORTA: No. I am utterly independent – Capital I.
Robert Thompson
1. Community house renewal and redevelopment programs
Robert Thompson: Our neighbourhood houses are excellent places for our local communities to gather, learn and enjoy the company of others. I am certainly a supporter of both the ongoing maintenance of the venues, and assistance with the programs offered. I am also keen for council to assist where it can in delivering self funded programs where possible, (computer, language etc…)
2. Funding community based groups who maintain our parklands
Robert Thompson: Both these green belts are not only defining locations of our Municipality but great sources of both flora and fawner. Many groups assist in maintaining the balance and cleanliness along the creeks and council should and can assist with programs big and small to support these endeavours.
3. Preserving Urban green space as Moreland’s population grows
Robert Thompson: Much of the land owned by council is either being left for future development or not planned with a long term vision in mind. Two things can be done here, to plan green zones and wedges within the future strategy, but also explore the short term greening of some of our public and privately owned lands that are sitting as land banks.
4. Local environmental education programs in Moreland schools
Robert Thompson: This is a disappointing trend across the state when state funding begins to dry up on what are deemed non core programs. While the investigation of continued support would be a start, working with state government to reintroduce these programs is also a possibility.
5. Fostering community behaviours in reducing carbon emissions
Robert Thompson: This like recycling and water conservation will become second nature to the residents of not only Moreland but Victorians and Australian’s alike. Starting small with programs and education locally will assist this process. This education program is not a particularly expensive process to start and should be supported by council.
6. Waste reduction and recycling – Zero waste for a week challenge
Robert Thompson: No I did not participate, I have small boys one is still in nappies.
7. Making Gowrie Station a dual Zone 1+2 station
Robert Thompson: Our city is growing, and this is a natural stepping stone. Moreland is only 10km from the city centre and should be deemed zone 1. With suburbs expanding further to the north and Gowrie Station and others being a avenue to business in the north making it dual zone one and two also is a reasonable expectation.
8. Bus routes: reducing multi-zone inefficiencies and extra costs
Robert Thompson: This appears to be a simple solution, and I support it 100%
9. Support for recommended minimum Funding for cycling infrastructure
Robert Thompson: I have also responded to Bicycle Network Victoria with my position here and it is affirmative. We have excellent bike paths currently, but street crossings and lighting needs to be addressed to make them safer for both cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
10. Encouraging more cycling in the northern parts of the municipality
Robert Thompson: Working with groups like Bicycle Network Victoria to encourage both the physical benefits along with the environmental incentives is a start, supporting the development and upkeep of our infrastructure will also assist in the long term.
11. Cycling: Support for ride to school programs
Robert Thompson: In conjunction with both the schools, parents and cycling organisations I do support them. It can not be left soley to council to encourage, educate and make safe these programs.
12. Cycling: Extension of the Upfield Path to the Western Ring Road path
Robert Thompson: The state and federal government has assisted smaller shires and councils around Victoria to develop bike paths on old rail lines etc. It would appear far more appropriate to assist councils locally to link well used paths within metropolitan Melbourne also.
13. Cycling: quiet and safe east-west bike on-road routes
Robert Thompson: In conjunction with state funding and with a developed strategy I would support this plan, we can not expect people to use the paths if they are not safe, but once upgraded council would want to see them utilised prior to moving forward with the role out.
14. Need for a safe crossing at Munro St for pedestrians and cyclists
Robert Thompson: This is an ongoing issue and appears to be something that everyone I speak with wants, I would be very supportive of this initiative.
15. Political Affiliation
Robert Thompson: I am running as an independent, I am not supported by, governed by, financial assisted or directed by any political party. I am however a member of the Liberal part as I have an interest in politics. The Liberal party does not involve itself in local council matters.
Jennifer JACOMB
1. Community house renewal and redevelopment programs
Jennifer JACOMB: Absolutely, I have made budget submission re Sussex Street and have raised the matter with a number of Councillors. I know in North East Ward, Tony Helou, Michael Tetti, and Stella Kariflydis were very sympathetic but were howled down by the Greens and John Kavanagh. I have also raised it through question time in Council. I haven’t won yet but I am here for the long haul be it on Council or from the gallery.
2. Funding community based groups who maintain our parklands
Jennifer JACOMB: Absolutlely. Previous councils have spent a lot of money developing a wonderful asset and inheritance for the residents of Moreland. We would be extremely foolish if we failed to protect that inheritance by penny pinching and not protect and improve it and the groups that protect them.
3. Preserving Urban green space as Moreland’s population grows
Jennifer JACOMB: We need to look at re implimenting the old policy that no resident be further than 500 M public open space. We should look at setting up a purchase fund so that the North does not become a ghetto.
4. Local environmental education programs in Moreland schools
Jennifer JACOMB: Absolutely, my feeling is we should use Ceres as the delivery vehicle as they have expertise in the matter and it would also help CERES. However, I must report a conflict of interest here, I am a life member of CERES.
5. Fostering community behaviours in reducing carbon emissions
Jennifer JACOMB: I think we should investigate and consider doing things such as other Councils have done, aiding people in fitting Solar Power panels, especially those that cannot otherwise afford it. The problem is that balancing budget and making sure that neither Council or residents are ripped off. Perhaps the best way to go about it is to setup a working group. Regardless of whether I get elected or not. I will raise at the next question time at Council.
6. Waste reduction and recycling – Zero waste for a week challenge
Jennifer JACOMB: Yes I did.
7. Making Gowrie Station a dual Zone 1+2 station
Jennifer JACOMB: Absolutely. If you consult the Council Minutes you will discover that I was the one who initiated the petition on the Met Zoning System via a question at question time. I am extremely disappointed that it was not implemented in the way I wanted. If it elected, I intend to re initiate it and have it implemented correctly. The met zones were last properly reviewed in the 1980’s. It is high time a full review was done and corrections made.
8. Bus routes: reducing multi-zone inefficiencies and extra costs
Jennifer JACOMB: Absolutely.
9. Support for recommended minimum Funding for cycling infrastructure
Jennifer JACOMB: I unequivocally support the current level and believe that we should so how we can improve and increase it.
10. Encouraging more cycling in the northern parts of the municipality
Jennifer JACOMB: First thing is to investigate using CERES to expand its bike help group into the Northern Suburbs to help people learn the skills to maintain and use their bikes. We need to look at making more bicycle friendly routes to get to places that people want to be, be it transport hubs, shopping centres and schools. We should encourage greater participation in bicycle groups in the Northern part of the Municipality. The nwe need to listen to them.
11. Cycling: Support for ride to school programs
Jennifer JACOMB: Yes
12. Cycling: Extension of the Upfield Path to the Western Ring Road path
Jennifer JACOMB: Yes
13. Cycling: quiet and safe east-west bike on-road routes
Jennifer JACOMB: Yes
14. Need for a safe crossing at Munro St for pedestrians and cyclists
Jennifer JACOMB: Absolutely – resident safety is always a priority for me
15. Political Affiliation
Jennifer JACOMB: Labor Party
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