CANDIDATE JIM BURKE

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

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

Analysis.  I am an experienced analyst.  This will not necessarily give me the answers I seek but it will allow me to ask the right questions.  This is vital in resolving issues or in predicting unwanted outcomes.

Public Policy.  I have studied public policy for the last ten years.  It is necessary for a Councillor to understand what policy proposals might mean to the community in both the short and longer term.  Councillors need to be able to formulate policy proposals independently.

Governance.  I would bring to the table, years of governance experience.  Local government is a complex beast and Council’s need to ensure that they have the processes in place so that they can be sure that projects they have set in train are being carried out as intended, that they are achieving the intended outcomes and not some other outcome and that the projects remain within budget limits.

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

The current Council has lost the trust of the community.  This must be redressed so that Council can resume providing the leadership this community needs.  It must become open and engaged and lead by example.  It must learn to trust the community so that the community can trust the Council again.

The Flagstaff Hill issue needs to be resolved.  To this end, I will propose forming a committee to find the way ahead on this long-term project.  This committee would comprise Councillors, Council staff and members of the community and would be funded sufficiently to engage expert advice.

There is a need for the Council to become more involved in the provision of social housing.  Council already owns some housing, though much of it needs repair.  There is room for Council to build or acquire additional social housing which would have the side benefit of employing local people.

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

This Council lacks transparency and treats community engagement like a box ticking exercise.  I would change that by making more council information publicly available and in a timely manner.  Council meeting minutes, including those of the Committee of the Whole meetings, should be publicly available within 48 hours of a meeting.  Assemblies of Council must be reported in much greater detail than they are currently.

Council should re-introduce General Business to the agenda for Council meetings so that Councillors can introduce issues that are not otherwise getting any oxygen.  There also needs to be a facility for members of the community to address Council on matters currently before the Council.

The Council should have a policy of only withholding of documents from the community by exception.  As an example, if I am elected, I will argue for the publication of the incoming CEO’s contract to be published.

The next 12 months are 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?

As the Covid-19 restrictions ease, the Council should initiate or support as many low cost, easy to manage events such as fairs, markets, car shows, art events as they can.  These events would attract our fellow Victorians who, for the foreseeable future, will have limited travel opportunities. The Council should invest in making Warrnambool their preferred destination.

In the summer months, Council should support a Friday or Saturday ‘Party Night’ in the southern end of Liebig Street.  Saturday or Sunday Food and Craft Fairs on the Green to support local producers to attend. Saturday morning markets in Liebig Street between Lava and Koroit Streets where local traders would take goods out into the street and be supported by some light entertainment.

Normal fees and charges usually attached to these events would be waived for at least 12 months and Council should consider financially supporting some of these events by directly employing the light entertainment.

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

To be able to operate within the rate cap, the former CEO was reviewing the organisation structure at Council as the wage bill consumed about 90% of Council’s rates revenue.  This has a seriously limiting effect on Council activity and this review needs to be completed.

In the immediate post future, Council should avoid unnecessary major projects and focus on getting its own budget in hand while doing as much as it can to get the local economy going again.  Council should focus on asset maintenance; by focusing on that, Council will save itself a lot of money in the long term and will employ more local businesses in improving the state of council assets.

Flagstaff Hill needs to be restored as a successful tourist destination which could operate at little or no cost to the community.  This year it is estimated that Flagstaff Hill will cost the community $836,000.

Preferences will decide who is elected to the council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, exisiting candidates or you won’t be putting forward preferences:

I will publish my preferences after nominations have closed.  I will be preferencing the four (councillors who sacked the CEO) last, it is the only way to prevent them from returning, which would be disastrous.

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

I would keep in touch using social media.  I would publish as much information as I possibly can on my Facebook page.  Here I would discuss matters like the outcomes of Council meetings, the arrival of new planning applications, whether they were going to Council or not, as well as publicising Council and other public events.

Using Facebook would allow me to answer questions on these matters too and participate in public discussion of important or even mundane issues or events.

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

I would like to have developed a Council that has gained the confidence to engage with the community honestly and openly, trusting the capacity of our community to respond positively and, in turn, be trusted by the community.

I would also like to achieve a Council that has learned to live within its means, that does not resort to unnecessary rate rises and especially not over the cap rate rises.

These issues are mutually dependent, and I don’t think Council can achieve one without achieving the other at the same time.

Are you a member of any political party? If so, which one?

I have never been a member of any political party or any lobby group.

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

No, none at all.

Closing thoughts or ask and answer your own question here:

Warrnambool has, for some years now, endured a Council it has lost trust in, that has not provided the community the leadership it deserves and now faces the economic impact of Covid-19 as well as the impact of years of economic mismanagement.

The new Council will likely find itself financially constrained and this will impact the community in ways that are not yet clear.  The new Council must earn the trust of the community and should lead the community while remaining a part of the community.

Council is likely to find itself asking the community to accept some level of financial pain and, If that is going to be the case, then the Councillors should lead the way.

As an act of both leadership and faith in the community; I will urge the Council to accept a 20% cut in its remuneration.

You can find Jim’s candidate Facebook page here.

CANDIDATE CASSANDRA PRIGG:

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

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

Advocacy: I have been an advocate for young people, the unemployed, homeless people, and people living with a disability with a variety of organisations including ACOSS, YACVic, YDAS, student organisations and the AUWU.

I have spoken to decision makers at all levels of government and the private sector about these and other important issues and have a good deal of experience interacting with politicians.

Consultation: Before advancing an agenda it’s important to consult the community on what their needs, wants and priorities are. Throughout my campaign I have spoken to residents from different backgrounds and parts of Warrnambool about what they want from Council and if elected its something I would continue doing.

Local knowledge: I grew up in Warrnambool, attending Allansford kindergarten, Warrnambool East Primary School, Warrnambool College and now Deakin University. I have a strong connection to place and I understand what makes Warrnambool unique. However, I did move away for a number of years and so I also have an understanding of how things could be done differently and perhaps better.

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

One of the main issues I want to see Council address is housing affordability. Housing prices have increased significantly in the past 20 years and wages are not keeping pace. The most serious manifestation of this issue is the significant number of homeless residents who are sleeping rough, couch-surfing or are in insecure or overcrowded housing.

I also want to ensure Warrnambool is a youth friendly city, and that we actively encourage our young people to remain and thrive in the region. Similarly I think we can do more to make our public spaces including parks and playgrounds accessible to people of all ages and all abilities.

I will also strongly advocate for Council to commit funding to the South of the Merri plan and to work with Deakin University to ensure safe cyclist and pedestrian access to our campus. Two other issues I’m concerned about are public transport and maternal and child health services.

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

I think there are some simple ways Council can be more open and transparent, including better use of existing social and traditional media channels, the reintroduction of general business to Council meeting agendas, and allowing observers at meetings to ask questions without notice.

The next 12 months are 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?

Increasing awareness and capacity of hardship measures available through Council for things like rates, day care, kinder fees as well as increasing awareness of other hardship resources including for things like utilities, rent, banking, etc.

Increasing and extending free parking in the CBD will be a key way to support locally owned businesses going forward.

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

Reducing staffing costs especially in the executive team would be a place to start.

Preferences will decide who is elected to the council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, exisiting candidates or you won’t be putting forward preferences:

I will be releasing my preferences and plan to include some sitting councillors as well as many of the fantastic new candidates. I don’t believe that a council made up of all new candidates is in the best interests of Warrnambool, but I do think we need some fresh faces and new ideas.

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

I would continue to operate my candidate Facebook page as a councillor to keep people informed and also consult with the community. That and my memberships and involvement with various local groups and organisations would be the main way I maintained two-way communication as an individual councillor.

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

I have an ambitious but achievable goal of ending homelessness in the City of Warrnambool by the end of my four year term. I would also want to see work begun on the South of the Merri upgrades, a new outdoor gym and a new all abilities playground, as well as cheaper pet registration and an increased open season for the 50-metre pool at Aquazone.

Are you a member of any political party? If so, which one?

No, I am not.

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

I am a member of the Warrnambool Community Garden, the Deakin University Student Association, a volunteer with Coastcare Landcare, a volunteer with Birdlife Australia, 2019 treasurer of the Deakin Warrnambool Enviro Club, member of the Headspace Warrnambool Youth Reference Group, member of the Project Control Group for Beyond the Bell’s Youth Conversations project, a regular attendee of Business and Professional Women South West Victoria events, a member of the Women With Disabilities Australia Warrnambool Hub, and a contributor to the Great South Coast Regional Partnerships COVID-19 and young people working group.

You can find Cassandra’s candidate Facebook page here.

CANDIDATE STEVE MOORE:

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

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

Common sense approach – keep it simple.

Passion to follow through, to ensure things get done!

I will ensure I am accessible to our residents & voters alike, to hear their suggestions/idea’s to take our city forward.

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

I would like to see the completion of an enclosed harbour.

I would like to see more events bought to our city, and have them spread throughout the year, to entice tourism during the city’s quieter times (avoiding the peak tourists times when the town is already buzzing).

Parking costs in the CBD are one of the main factors keeping locals away from the centre of our city – I want to see some form of free timed parking to be put in place, to bring money back to the local shops and this will require detailed consultation with all residents & business owners.

Disabled parking is another challenge – there just isn’t enough.

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

Continue with the live streaming of all council meetings

“Coffee & cake” after each council meeting – for all council meeting attendees & councillors, so that informal conversations/ideas can be discussed

The next 12 months are 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?

Freeze the proposed rate increase

Free off-street parking in CBD, at least till the end of 2021 – then to be revised, with the hope this will fill the empty shop fronts

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

Removal of seaweed from our beaches – this could be turned into garden compost & resold or repurposed for use on council land, Botanical Gardens etc

Consider the future CEO wage to be based on a performance basis – thus if he/she meets their KPI (key performance indicators) then a pay rise occurs…..

Preferences will decide who is elected to the council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, exisiting candidates or you won’t be putting forward preferences:

New candidates only.

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

I will be able via phone, email & happy to make appointments for community members to come and sit with me to discuss their idea’s etc.

If the elected councillors, wish to nominate a central location, where it is “manned” on a regular basis, with councillors, then I am more than happy to participate.

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

An enclosed boat harbour – either under construction or completed.

More crowd drawing events to the city, all year round.

More, All Inclusive & All Ability, playground equipment and beach access options.

Less empty shop fronts throughout our city.

To see more tourists coming off the GOR for overnight stays.

Are you a member of any political party? If so, which one?

No.

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

I was an active member of the Warrnambool Tourism Association – until it was disbanded. I am also a member of the local fishing club WDAC & Warrnambool Ratepayers Association. My tourism business is a financial member of the GORRT Board.

Closing thoughts or ask and answer your own question here:

I would like to see an annual survey for the community to complete, to provide council with their idea’s & suggestions on what other ways, we can improve our city.

You can find Steve’s candidate Facebook page here.

CANDIDATE RICHARD ZIEGELER:

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

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

I am a lateral thinker and a problem solver; I have many years experience of high level governance; I have very well developed communication skills, both verbal and written.

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

There are several, the old chestnuts being the harbour and boat ramp, with the associated difficulties pertaining to the beach use and its degradation, parking and the decline of the CBD. I would like to establish a pathway to resolution of these problems, none of which realistically will be completely fixed in one council term.

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

Council MUST be more open.

If people don’t know what’s happening then they invent their own explanations. We have a right to know, to see and hear debate and to contribute.

General business and open question time must be brought back to council and regular media interaction must be promoted. Expensive, glossy publications with platitudinal stories have to cease. There is an established newspaper with local employees.

The next 12 months are 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?

Wherever possible Council has to take a softly-softly approach to businesses and residents who face financial difficulties because of the Virus.

Community must look after it’s own and if Covid has badly affected businesses then Council must be cognisant of that and be prepared to give concessions and considerations to assist them financially or even practically. B/S education and courses are not always helpful and usually do not help in a practical sense.

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

Staffing, sharing resources with Shire neighbours more effectively; using local contractors; looking more closely for thrifty/clever/innovative solutions.

Council has to recognise that staff are usually its most valuable resource: if staff are happy and valued then they will do the best they can and try to follow the concepts of value for money, thrift and if necessary, frugality. I’m sure that staff have their own ideas about how Council can save money. After all, they too pay rates!

Preferences will decide who is elected to the council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, exisiting candidates or you won’t be putting forward preferences:

New candidates.

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

Open communication is very important. I will make myself ever available for contact at my place of work and I hope to have regular informal sit-down sessions somewhere in town where folks can come to chat on a Saturday morning.

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

Some tangible progress on the issues mentioned above. I want people to see that yes, things are improving and we can see that we are moving to where we should be.

That we are living within our means and Council is NOT paying big wages to executive level staff who do not show solid results.  The old furphy that ‘if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys’ is not always true. It has to be recognised that staff are also residents here and have the same right to be proud of Warrnambool; they too want it to be as good a town as it can be for their families.

Are you a member of any political party? If so, which one?

If so, which one? No never. Are any one of them any more open and honest than the others? Are any of them much different from each other?

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

Oh my! How many do I have room for? I am a Life Member of the Warrnambool Theatre Company, I have been a part of Heatherlie Council (Chair, Deputy Chair, Convenor of House Management and Governance Committees and Life Member); Lodge; Co-Director of Primary Performers; Dennington Community Association; Warrnambool Ratepayers Association (until 16 Sept 2020); Deputy Chair of International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics and Director of Governance for Australia; Australian Occupational Therapy Association; Bail Justice for Victoria (and Honorary Justices Association); Club Cabaret Inc (a charitable Cabaret group in Warrnambool).

Closing thoughts or ask and answer your own question here:

Look, I can’t honestly say that I will get any further than any other Councillor if I get in, but I will try. I will not make any promises that I can’t be sure of honouring.  BUT I do promise to give my all to the very serious job of representing residents and ratepayers and I WILL make public any Council business which I am legally allowed to.

I know that putting myself up as a Councillor is a way to have slings and arrows cast my way and often unreasonably. I can only hope that if I put in, openly and honestly, people will respect that and be assured that I am on their side.

You can find Richard’s candidate Facebook page here.

CANDIDATE JACINTA ANDERSON

10 QUESTIONS FROM THE TERRIER:

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

One main skill I can bring as a councillor is financial literacy, honesty and transparency to ensure Warrnambool City Council Budgets ARE accurate including ALL income and expenses.

WCC has fallen short in previous budgets by not including all income. Peter Hulin bought this to the attention of council when he was a councillor and I can vouch that the income was wrong. I suggest we seriously look into investigating the previous WCC financials for the past 10 years.

My other two skills I can bring is sewing and painting so you can expect to see a lot more colour around Warrnambool and hopefully Warrnambool’s own Fashion Festival.

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

As a councillor I am very keen to obtain funding to implement the construction of a new waste treatment plant. However the current Wannon Water upgrade options are inadequate and will need to be investigated for more sustainable options.  I’d also like to see more community housing built with affordable rent for the homeless and vulnerable.

Future projects I would like to work on would include collaborating with Moyne Shire and Gunditijmara to develop and implement Indigenous cultural education at Tower Hill, outdoor class rooms.

Waste management reduction and recycling!

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

Yes definitely there is room for improvement. By listening more to resident’s requests and holding question sessions via Zoom meetings or a suggestions section on its Facebook page. The council is moving forward in this capacity holding more community consultations which is a positive step.

The new LG Act 2020 includes a community engagement policy which incorporates financial decisions. So this means that the community have to be engaged in financial decisions too, from what I believe the new Act states.

The next 12 months are 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?

Coming out of lockdown I think everyone needs a happy day to celebrate, perhaps this could be on the council’s agenda moving out of restrictions.

Council should always encourage residents to shop locally especially to support all industries. I think if we focus on local spending and tourism opportunities things could really look up. I have a few fun and exciting ideas up my sleeve!

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

Yes definitely I have heaps of ideas. Firstly I am quite happy to volunteer (as a councillor) for free. I personally believe leaders who represent the community should not be motivated by money.  I believe we could gain money by actually doing a transparent honest budget that includes all income and expenses. I’ve said this before maybe WCC should consider restructuring as a non-profit organisation?

We can also reduce costs by investing in local recycling systems. How much does it cost to employ people to sort recycling? Instead of sending it to land fill.

We could stop purchasing 1080 which I would like banned. Also Roundup that’s another purchase expense we don’t need. Perhaps the WCC could just ask the local Aboriginal community if they are happy for us to share their land then we wouldn’t have to pay any rates.

Preferences will decide who is elected to the council. Are you planning to preference most highly new candidates, exisiting candidates or you won’t be putting forward preferences:

New candidates.

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

As a potential councillor the most efficient way to keep residents and ratepayers updated would be via mails outs. There are also social media outlets, however I prefer letters. This way I can communicate and engage with every community member and ask for feedback.

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

Wow there are so many things hopefully I would like to achieve them all within the first four years so I can move on to other things. I don’t really want to go into much detail:

Local roads are in need of upgrades and have been neglected for far too long.

Implementation of wildlife corridors and native tree planting.

More community housing with low rental options.

New sustainable waste water facility.

Introduction of indigenous outdoor education

Fairy Kingdom (Child tourism done correctly)

Reduction in waste generated.

Implementation of Warrnambool Fashion Festival/Week

Are you a member of any political party? If so, which one?

No I am not currently. I have been a member of the Liberal Party and Greens many moons ago (For research purposes).

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

No I have not.

Closing thoughts or ask and answer your own question here:

Thank-you Carol for the opportunity to be featured and for the really good questions you provided.

You can find Jacinta’s candidate Facebook page here.