CANDIDATE ANDREW SQUIRES:

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

What three main skills could you bring to the Warrnambool City Council as a councillor?

Throughout my volunteer community service and my employment, I have always found myself in a leadership/management role. I take pride in leading by example and I never ask anyone to do something that I am not willing to do myself.

I have excellent communication skills.  My work as a trainer with Red Cross as well as my current workplace has given me formal training in public speaking and over 30 years of experience delivering Adult Education to the greater South West Community. Through my management role in my current workplace, my own private company and my volunteer history with St John’s and Red Cross I have also needed to listen to my staff, volunteers, and the general public and find a solution beneficial to all whenever any issues arise.

I also have experience in Community Program Management, through my involvement with Red Cross.  I spent 10 years as the Zone Emergency Services Liaison Officer with the Operations Branch and six years as Zone Chairman South West Victoria. These roles gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in risk management, co-ordinating services in the event of any community emergency and correct meeting etiquette and chairing these meetings.

Do you see any particular issues, projects or problems in Warrnambool that would like to work on as a councillor?

Three main areas that form part of my election campaign:

Pedestrian Safety especially around the hospital and for the elderly that have to rely on buses.

Fast tracking and prioritising the Reid Oval redevelopment and making the most of the restrictions that we have found ourselves in with COVID 19. Utilising this time while sports have all been cancelled  to do the upgrades so as not to inconvenience the community and delay the return to club rooms any longer than already necessary.

Review parking in the CBD and looking at possible ways that will benefit the community and business owners alike – parking permits for Warrnambool residents to encourage continued support of our local, family owned businesses in the CBD area.

Do you think the council could be more “open” with residents and if so, how?

Yes, and this is my campaign slogan, “Your Opinion Counts”. I am interested in hearing from the people in Warrnambool – their suggestions, questions and concerns. I will raise these through the correct channels and will follow through and return with appropriate answers.

Sometimes when ideas are not possible (to implement), I will liaise with the person or group involved and the council as a whole to try to find a workable solution and a different approach that will work.

The next 12 months is going to be challenging due to the impact of Covid-19 – do you have one or two key idea/s for how WCC could support residents and/or businesses?

I would like to support businesses with developing and rolling out their COVID Safe Workplace Planning. Through my current employment I have been personally and actively involved in developing new cleaning policies and procedures, as well as scripting a video on PPE and COVID Safe Cleaning for health care workers and this has also been made available to the motel industry for their cleaners.

I am also very interested in developing programs and policies and delivering the appropriate training to assist with the current COVID-19 pandemic as well as having these in place to assist towards any future situations.

Do you have any ideas on where the council could cut costs, if necessary, to keep rates at the state cap?

I would like to review current costs and departmental expenditure and finding the most cost effective way of achieving the council goals.

Preferences will decide who is elected to council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, current councillors, or you will not be listing your preferences

If I do list preferences, I would list new candidates as to give others the chance to represent the community with new and fresh ideas.

If you were elected, what ways – if any – would you keep residents and ratepayers informed as an individual councillor?

I would utilise the Council official web site. I would also like to establish and provide a social web page to provide community question time as well as running an editorial column in The Standard to allow me to answer questions and address issues in a timely manner for those in the community who do not have access to the Internet.

If you were elected, what would you have liked to have achieved at the end of your four-year term?

I would like to see the pedestrian safety around the hospital especially for the elderly and those needing to rely on buses improved so as not to jeopardise their safety crossing Koroit St.  The timely completion of the Reid Oval redevelopment. The introduction of parking permits for Warrnambool residents for use in the CBD to encourage continued support of our a local family run businesses.

Are you a member of any political party? 

I am not currently affiliated with any political party.
I have previously been a signature member for “ Vote 1 Jobs” – James Purcell MP in Port Fairy.

In the past two years, have you been a member of any local club, organisation or association?

I was one of two official First Aiders for Warrnambool East Junior Netball league for the 2019 season.
Red Cross – this included Training and Assessment, Emergency Management and  Municipal Management Planning.
Director and Business owner of Westvic ProMedics.
In my current full-time workplace I am on the COVID PPE working party, OHS rep for my Department of Environmental Services, Occupational Violence and Aggression Response Team, and across the board staff education with training and assessment.

You can find Andrew’s candidate Facebook page here.

CANDIDATE ANTHONY EARNSHAW: (no video)

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

What three main skills could you bring to the Warrnambool City Council as a councillor?

Adaptable – On a day-to-day basis as a nurse you have to adapt. When my ward, the Short Stay Unit became the designated COVID-19 ward it was a challenge that none of us had experienced.
Emotionally Intelligent – Its important to be aware of and control the expression of emotions within interpersonal relationships. Being authentic and having a strong emotional intelligence will assist in the quality of successful engagement and maintaining relationships.

Lateral thinker- Challenges present the opportunities to think differently.

 I support Stage 2 of South West Healthcare’s redevelopment plan. For the short to medium term we could perhaps look also at advocating the purchase of St John of God Hospital as it is fit for purpose. It is under utilised, private health member numbers are decreasing and I suggest that upon completion of Stage 2 that St John of God will become unviable and subsequently close. It is complicated.

Do you see any particular issues, projects or problems in Warrnambool that would like to work on as a councillor?

I have travelled abroad extensively. Locations and/or cities most memorable include those that have natural environmental attributes, architecture and thriving arts and culture.

My guilty pleasure beyond COVID would be to revitalize the civic green and expand the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Large public sculptures would lead people from the CBD down along Lake Pertobe to a completed safe boat ramp and enclosed harbor. This would accentuate the aesthetic and livability of our city and encourage tourists to visit Warrnambool outside of summer. Enticing tourists to extent their trip beyond the Great Ocean Road and their length of stay can only have a positive impact. It would set Warrnambool apart.

I am opened minded in relation to parking issues and parking fees.

Do you think the council could be more “open” with residents and if so, how?

I agree transparency is an issue. I am supportive of suggestions regarding question time and the reintroduction of general business. As a nurse my professional practice has been guided by Codes of Professional Conduct and Codes of Ethics.

The next 12 months is going to be challenging due to the impact of Covid-19 – do you have one or two key idea/s for how WCC could support residents and/or businesses?

At present and for the considerable future we will be living in a topsyturvey health and economic environment. It is important that we not only hear but also listen to residents and businesses. The waiving of targeted

fees and freezing of rates are a start. We will also need to work constructively with other tiers of government to advocate for example, business grants and also broader projects that will assist with our recovery.

Do you have any ideas on where the council could cut costs, if necessary, to keep rates at the state cap?

Again, given the topsy-turvy situation we find ourselves, no-one knows what the impacts will be on Council income and grants received in the future. I do, however, believe we should not simply keep increasing rates

above the state cap and for the short term we should look at freezing rates. Some community aspirations/ projects may have to be pushed back. It will be important to engage with the community and clearly articulate why, when and how.

Preferences will decide who is elected to council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, current councillors, or you will not be listing your preferences

I will not be listing preferences. Preferential voting should be abolished.

If you were elected, what ways – if any – would you keep residents and ratepayers informed as an individual councillor?

If elected, and as a first time councillor, I will be guided by the Local Government Act. I am however very approachable and would gladly make time to discuss topics of interest with residents, businesses and

organisations.

If you were elected, what would you have liked to have achieved at the end of your four-year term?

Much work has gone into creating the W2040 strategic plan. I would like to think I have had a positive impact and that collectively the City of Warrnambool is well underway to achieving interim goals.

Are you a member of any political party? 

No.

In the past two years, have you been a member of any local club, organisation or association?

Australian College of Nursing. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Front Foot Victoria.

CANDIDATE MAX TAYLOR:

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

What three main skills could you bring to the Warrnambool City Council as a councillor?

I have business experience spread over 48 years in Warrnambool. Have been a member of almost every business group during that period including Chamber of Commerce, Business Action Group, Central Business Development, Commerce Warrnambool and President of the Warrnambool Tourism Association.

Have seen many changes to Warrnambool during that time and more in particular to the CBD. Warrnambool has so much untapped potential to market and promote as the number one shopping, weekend and holiday destination between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Do you see any particular issues, projects or problems in Warrnambool that would like to work on as a councillor?

I see quite a few issues to work on as a Councillor. I would like to restore vitality, activity and see the CBD flourish again by bringing shoppers back by providing free 2-hour off-street car parking, filling empty shops, reduce the $80 fine for overstaying your time and shoppers enjoying a coffee in the CBD without having to worry about ticket machines.

I would like to see the promenade upgraded by providing far more sea views, gym and exercise equipment beside the path and a large fernery south of Worm Bay.

Also I would like to see the harbour upgraded tp provide safe boat launching. Lastly, I would like to see our local hospital continue to expand and provide prodigious service to our community.

Do you think the council could be more “open” with residents and if so, how?

The Council should be more open to residents by allowing Councillor’s to raise issues in a general business time.

The next 12 months is going to be challenging due to the impact of Covid-19 – do you have one or two key idea/s for how WCC could support residents and/or businesses?

Obviously, the Council can support business’s by providing free car parking to shoppers. This provision always has an immediate positive reaction. Residents who are having trouble paying their rates should be favourably heard at a private discussion with Council staff.

Do you have any ideas on where the council could cut costs, if necessary, to keep rates at the state cap?

To cut costs, I believe every Council staff member should be accountable for every hour they work to be productive, therefore staff costs can be reduced for unproductive work. Council payments to the Mayor and Councillors can also be reduced.

Preferences will decide who is elected to council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, current councillors, or you will not be listing your preferences

I am not providing any preferences at all to anyone and stand to be elected on my business background and experience.

If you were elected, what ways – if any – would you keep residents and ratepayers informed as an individual councillor?

I will be available to residents and ratepayers the majority of the year at my business address in Liebig Street.

If you were elected, what would you have liked to have achieved at the end of your four-year term?

A revitalized CBD with all shops occupied and free off-street car parking provided to potential shoppers, a safe boating harbour, for Warrnambool to reach its untapped potential and a much-improved exciting, enthralling and interesting promenade.

Are you a member of any political party? 

I’m not a member of any political party.

In the past two years, have you been a member of any local club, organisation or association?

Been a member of Daybreak Rotary, President of the Warrnambool Traders Association, and a member of the Warrnambool Ratepayers Association.

CANDIDATE THOMAS CAMPBELL: (no video)

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

What three main skills could you bring to the Warrnambool City Council as a councillor?

Project Management – previously worked in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in a project overlaying government services for vulnerable youth.

In-depth critical/analytical skills – having worked in administrative positions for most of my career, I’m confident in understanding business methods and analysing budgets.

Commitment to the tenets of democratic processes.

Do you see any particular issues, projects or problems in Warrnambool that would like to work on as a councillor?

Project or problem: Addressing homelessness.

Issue/Problem: Council accountability to the community.

The three S’s. Sustainability, Safety & Stability.

Do you think the council could be more “open” with residents and if so, how?

Yes. By providing a greater opportunity for residents to speak on council agenda items.

A greater breakdown of council expenses (line-by-line).

Ongoing live-streaming of council meeting post-Covid.

More opportunities for the public to meet with Councillors in a formal meeting setting, in various places around the Council area.

The next 12 months is going to be challenging due to the impact of Covid-19 – do you have one or two key idea/s for how WCC could support residents and/or businesses?

Grants to develop online services

Review financial hardship policy

Suspending fees for permits (such as outdoor dining)

Renewing the card collection system they had post-Liebig-Street-redevelopment.

Do you have any ideas on where the council could cut costs, if necessary, to keep rates at the state cap?

Working in partnership with surrounding Councils to lower infrastructure costs (medium term strategy)

Stronger advocacy to State and Federal governments, who have consistently decreased availability of funding to local Councils. An ongoing commitment is required.

Projection of future asset management costs. Understanding that delaying funding on the management of assets can cause greater expenditure at a later date – this is a long term strategy.

Reviewing all Council expenditure line-by-line under a new Council – this is a short term strategy.

Preferences will decide who is elected to council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, current councillors, or you will not be listing your preferences?

I will be putting together a list of preferences. It will be based on who I believe is best placed to plan and advocate for our region’s future.

The record of current Councillors must be taken into account. The beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and vision of new candidates must be taken into account. Whether they are current or new will not be the sole factor when deciding on preferences. (Note: You can see a low-res version of Thomas’s preferences at the end of these questions. The high-res version is coming!)

If you were elected, what ways – if any – would you keep residents and ratepayers informed as an individual councillor?

Ongoing communication with local news sources (The Terrier, The Standard, ABC radio, Council newsletter).

Engaging via social media.

Sharing a publicly available email and contact number for direct community engagement.

If you were elected, what would you have liked to have achieved at the end of your four-year term?

Measurable items:

A roadmap to end homelessness in our region (which is also progressing and transferable to surrounding councils);

A pathway to going beyond 100% renewable energy for our region;

Greater overall community engagement in Council related business.

Are you a member of any political party? 

I am a member of the Greens political party. I will continue to be so long as the values of the party remain consistent.

I have stood as a Greens candidate in previous State and Federal elections. I believe it’s important to say that if elected as a Councillor, you are making a four-year commitment to that role, you should not attempt to run for another election during those four years.

In the past two years, have you been a member of any local club, organisation or association?

I am currently a member of the City Memorial Bowls Club and need to renew my membership at the F Project.

Closing thoughts or ask and answer your own question here:

Council elections come only once every four years. It is impossible to predict what circumstances may arise over that time (no one could’ve predicted what 2020 has brought!). It is important to listen to how candidates lay out their vision for Warrnambool Council’s future, but most important is supporting someone who has strong values and principles – and will stand by them.

You can find Thomas’s candidate Facebook page here.

CANDIDATE TRACEY TOGNI:

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

What three main skills could you bring to the Warrnambool City Council as a councillor?

I hope to bring business insight to the council. Over the last 26 years I have been operating businesses in Warrnambool, sometimes employing up to 13 people. This gives me an understanding of dealing with a diverse group of people and understanding the needs and wants of others. A real-life understanding of how businesses are affected by COVID19 and what can be done to assist in the rebuilding.

I’m an energetic, positive and creative person with many ideas to contribute for an exciting future for Warrnambool. Not only do these traits help me with forming and implementing new ideas they also give me the ability of abstract problem solving. Looking outside the box for solutions to problems.

I’m open-minded, approachable and happy to talk to anybody and willing to take on board just about any issue or idea brought to me.

I’m also progressive. I want to see positive and innovative ideas, projects and changes implemented in Warrnambool.

 I’m also very determined, in every aspect of my life. That is why I’m running for council.

Do you see any particular issues, projects or problems in Warrnambool that would like to work on as a councillor?

Like all places we have room for improvement in many areas, but we also have wonderful opportunities with our already established assets that l think we can utilise more. Being at the end of the Great Ocean Road is something l think we could leverage.

In line with this, I believe in introducing free parking for seniors and free CBD parking for COVID recovery.

Do you think the council could be more “open” with residents and if so, how?

Yes, this could be achieved with communicating the message of council better or live streaming the council meetings, saying this l think the incumbent council did get a lot done however the message was lost as the public had lost faith in the process. A united council with the support of the community should be able to not only share their points of view we should always be seeking community feedback and engagement, after all community is the reason we stand for council.

The next 12 months is going to be challenging due to the impact of Covid-19 – do you have one or two key idea/s for how WCC could support residents and/or businesses?

Covid 19 is challenging all areas of life, and while l do have ideas like free parking for example, l think it’s premature to comment on them as we still don’t have a clear roadmap to what will become “covid normal” however l do look forward to discussing this at a later time, I would also want to consult with business owners on this too.

 Do you have any ideas on where the council could cut costs, if necessary, to keep rates at the state cap?

Without being all over the current finances l don’t think it’s fair to float money saving ideas without proper consultation, in saying that most businesses can find financial relief through efficiencies whether that be employee or purchasing related or through general cost cutting. Cutting services l do not believe would be the way to do this.

Preferences will decide who is elected to council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, current councillors, or you will not be listing your preferences

I will have more to say regarding preferences once l have spoken with more of the other candidates, however l do believe that a new council would benefit with some experienced council being retained.

I honestly don’t think electing a complete new and unexperienced council would be the best way forward.

If you were elected, what ways – if any – would you keep residents and ratepayers informed as an individual councillor?

The use of social media, local news and of course I’m always happy to be available and discuss all things Warrnambool with everyone. Programs such as Zoom now allow for more people to view and interact with council meetings without leaving their homes.

If elected I will be proud to serve the community, I would look at how other good councillors do it best and learn from them.

If you were elected, what would you have liked to have achieved at the end of your four-year term?

I hope to have been a member of a council that our community can be proud of, a united team achieving goals.

Obviously, l would like to see Warrnambool in a better position than where it is today. A bustling CBD, with free parking for seniors and where our tourism industries is thriving and our caravan parks are full.  I want to see tourists from Port Campbell no longer turn right but keep travelling to Warrnambool to experience what truly is one of Victoria’s most liveable cities. Fishing boats driving into Warrnambool rather than heading to Portland (in the post-Covid world).

Increased youth engagement in decisions and more opportunities for youth involvement in art projects around Warrnambool; the CBD, foreshore, railway precinct and other points of interest.

All these people deserve to experience all that is Warrnambool.

Are you a member of any political party? 

I’m not a member of any political party.

In the past two years, have you been a member of any local club, organisation or association?

I was member of the Board on Management of The Warrnambool and District Community Hospice.

Closing thoughts or ask and answer your own question here:

This is an opportunity for me to push for better things for Warrnambool. I am a good fair person with a positive attitude and my heart is in the right place. I want what is best for not only ourselves but for our children and theirs. An exciting future!

You can find Tracey’s candidate Facebook page here.