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A strong stand on

Staff ReporterSouthern Gazette

Australia Post began delivering nearly 20,000 election papers ” 9216 in Banksia and 10,544 in Jarrah ” on September 27, which can be returned by post or dropped off at council chambers before 6pm on October 19.

Brian Oliver (27) Occupation: Journalist Do you support local government amalgamation: I am committed to ensuring our assets, heritage and culture are protected if the State Government forces change. I will fight to keep Victoria Park independent and that it maintains its strong sense of local identity. What action will you take to strengthen the future of your council: Maintaining local amenity and our vibrant sense of community is a priority for me. As a young person, I will bring a fresh approach and passionately represent the needs of the whole community. Five things you’ll do for the local community if elected: – I am ready to serve, and will be an enthusiastic and active advocate for everyone in Vic Park. – I will continue the campaign against local government reform to make sure we keep Vic Park independent, and protect its existing assets, services and culture. – Support and promote Vic Park’s vibrant and inclusive community spaces and leisure precincts for families and young people. I would love to see Vic Park have its own local Farmer’s Market. – Encourage engagement and participation on community issues by the Town’s youth and young adults – I will make sure we get the balance right, supporting smart, sensible, sustainable development. Fred Borthwick (64) Occupation: Real Estate Agent Principal/Director (semi-retired) Amalgamation: I would if it did not negatively impact on the current council rates, services and infrastructure. Future action: I will work with fellow councillors to ensure Victoria Park council keeps pace with changing times and always reflects the needs and wants of residents and ratepayers. Five things: – Be accessible to all residents. – Work with the community to ensure residents achieve a better quality of life. – As a past member of the REIWA Professional Standards Committee, I would provide ethical and impartial representation to residents and ratepayers alike. – Actively work to implement strong crime prevention strategies for better safety and security. – Advocate sound environmental policies for the Town of Victoria Park. Vince Maxwell (51) Occupation: Communications engineer, director of furniture manufacturing business. Amalgamation: I am strongly opposed to forced amalgamation. I support amalgamation if it is initiated from a grass roots level and the majority of ratepayers agree to the changes. Future action: Develop a good working relationship with State Government and community groups to work together, rather than against each other, on issues. Five things: – Introduce mobile and foot security patrols with officers fitted with cameras to provide a deterrent and collect evidence to help police prosecutions. Ensure police are involved in its design and planning. – Address parking issues in Albany Highway and Technology Park. – Work with restaurateurs to develop a more enticing after hours environment by improving alfresco opportunities and small bar licenses. – Find out why are some verges are mowed by council and others are not. – Move a motion to restrict council candidates from standing in wards they don’t live in, to ensure future councillors live among the constituents they represent and for whom they are making decisions. Wilfred Hendriks (58) Occupation: Semi-retired photographer Amalgamation: No, I do not as I feel we will lose our sense of community. The council runs very well at the moment so why change it. Future action: If it is inevitable that amalgamation with South Perth takes place, I will do whatever I can to ensure services to residents are not compromised, particularly green waste disposals. Five things: – Endeavour to see future developments are sensible, with adequate parking, that they are pleasing to the eye and include landscaping and gardens, that they easily and safely accessible, roomy and practical. – Ensure our parks, gardens and recreation areas are retained and maintained and increased. – Make it a safer place to live particularly around railway stations. CCTV in hot spots and along Albany Hwy. – Ensure traffic movements – pedestrian, bicycle or vehicle – are safe and efficient. – Future issues that arise need to be discussed wisely and fairly Kevin Beaglehole (62) Occupation: Retired Amalgamation: Amalgamations should only take place where they are in the best interest of the ratepayers. Future action: Keep ratepayers informed of important items that may/will affect them. Ensure State Government processes are more transparent in planning decisions that will affect the ratepayers. Give the ratepayers the ability to veto any changes through a referendum Five things: – Keeping the character of Victoria Park – a family suburb. – Making housing applications a quicker and easier process. – Give strong support to local business. – Support a strong approach to law and order. – Work in conjunction with the Town of Victoria Park to keep Crown Casino in the Town. Tamara Bruce (36) Occupation: Swim coach, mother Amalgamation: I don’t support amalgamations. I believe the negative aspects, such as losing a sense of community and council involvement, and staff being out of touch with who they serve, outweigh the positives. Future action: I believe having a strong community identity makes for a council with a united front that will represent the community and its issues. Five things: – Be a new voice – If it’s important to you, it’s important to me to have it heard. – I want to lobby for cheaper accessibility to community active programs. – Seniors should receive discounted entrance to facilities in line with neighbouring councils. – Lobby to make facilities available at cheaper rates in off-peak periods. – Safer roads and play areas. David Ashton (41) Occupation: Commercial/QA manager, management consultant and Victoria Park councillor Amalgamation: I voted in favour of the Town of Victoria Park staying as is within its existing boundary structure. I also said that we should explore resource-sharing arrangements with South Perth where it was beneficial to our community. Future acon rate increases to pay for services, by seeking more grant funding, looking at how we invest our cash investments and restructuring our land portfolio to unlock its value. Five things: – Upgrade existing and establish new neighbourhood playgrounds. – Deliver an art and culture strategy – support for another public art project. – Implement the Integrated Movement and Network Strategy to better plan parking, traffic, road safety, cycling, walking, motorised wheelchair/scooter access and public transport infrastructure and services. – Review the parking permit system to ensure no negative impacts from the proposed parking changes. – Implement an economic development strategy to support local business. Luke Garswood (42) Occupation: Employed at WA Health in Aged and Community Care Policy. Amalgamation: I do not support the forced amalgamations of local governments and I strongly oppose the Burswood foreshore and Crown Casino land grab. I am open to exploring the benefits of a merger with South Perth if the unique nature of Victoria Park can be maintained. Future action: I will use my community development expertise to ensure council creates new ways of listening and demonstrating responsiveness to the diverse views and aspirations of our community. Five things: – Make more of our Swan River foreshore with a new nature-based playground – Cut red tape and ensure council respects residents’ property rights – Establish an Elder’s Advisory Committee to inform council decision-making – Create a greener town with more trees for our endangered Carnaby’s cockatoos – Add life to our streets with free local plants and mulch for verge gardens. Rowena Skinner Occupation: Office Manager, Victoria Park councillor Amalgamation: No I don’t support local government amalgamations or the taking of Burswood Casino out of Victoria Park – the river is the natural boundary for the Town. A survey of Victoria Park residents showed a merger was not their preferred option. Future action: I will continue to look at ways our council can increase and diversify our income, and savings can be achieved by shared services with neighbouring councils, without the need to amalgamate, including waste collection, tree pruning etc. Five things: – Ensure the Lathlain Precinct development plan is implemented. – Ensure the West Coast Eagles training ground contributes positively to the community and public consultation with residents is held before and during the WCE’s relocation to Lathlain. – Support implementation of the completed Integrated Movement Network Strategy with regards public transport, walking, cycling and traffic management. – Continue to support improvements to recycling and waste collection service. – Continue to ensure high standards of governance, financial management and public consultation, and listen and respond to your concerns. Mark Windram (31) Occupation: Business Development Manager Amalgamation: Although I would prefer council boundaries remain, I believe amalgamation with South Perth could be beneficial. What doesn’t make sense is the Burswood Peninsula being cherry picked by the City of Perth. This has to be changed and will be a top priority. Five Things: – Fight to keep the Burswood Peninsula part of the Town or the new amalgamated Victoria Park/South Perth council. – Ensure funding and support for services for young families in the area are maintained and improved, for example the Carlisle/Victoria Park toy library, the child health centres and the children’s programs at the library. – Revisit the proposal to have a shopping centre at the Burswood site. This would bring more people to the area and would have a flow on effect to the Albany Highway restaurant precinct. – Ensure local residents concerns regarding parking at Lathlain Oval are listened to before the West Coast facilities are built, and that it includes community facilities. – Look at the feasibility of building an inclusive/sensory playground. William (Bill) Henshall (71) Occupation: Retired Amalgamation: I am a very enthusiastic supporter but as the true cost of amalgamation is unveiled, maybe none of us will remain quite as enthusiastic. But it will be the duty of newly elected councillors to provide electors with continued good governance and direction. Five things: – Agitate for immediate action at the Oats Street rail and bus station with regards to parking and safety issues. – Ensure the recreational needs of the new and old, young and the elderly residents are taken into account with the proposed relocation of the Eagles Nest to Lathlain Park. – Argue the case for better and clearer bicycle paths. Cycling is becoming a transport mode of choice. – Be a strong voice to keep ‘the Crown in the Town’. Apart from its physical location, including that of the new stadium, the loss of income will be severely felt, resulting in increases to rates and taxes. – Demand action be taken on our three long standing eyesores, the Red Castle site, the Great Eastern Highway entrance to our town and the wasteland that was once the Carlisle/Lathlain bowling club. Les Evans (59) Occupation: Police officer Amalgamation: I believe the Town can benefit from a merger with the City of South Perth provided we retain the Burswood Peninsula. The loss of rates income and growth opportunities will hurt us if the State Government opts to relocate Burswood Peninsula in the City of Perth boundary. Future action: I will work to minimise duplication of resources and inconsistencies in processes that result in difficulties for business and planning applicants. I will encourage community and stakeholder engagement, and address disparity in services across the customer base. Five things: – Listen and genuinely represent the interests of the electorate. – Seek improved parking, security and streetscape in Banksia Ward and railway routes to contribute safer and more secure surroundings, safety solutions at rail crossings. – Advocate to minimise adverse impacts on residents when Lathlain Oval is upgraded for West Coast Eagles relocation, while maximising opportunities for local business. – Broker ideas to create new opportunities and mediate disputing visions, and – Communicate to increase the extent and effectiveness of community engagement approaches. Keith Hayes (65) Occupation: Retired TAFE lecturer, Victoria Park councillor Amalgamation: I do not support amalgamation in its current form. Future action: I will campaign to preserve Burswood in the Town. Five things: – Complete the Lathlain precinct redevelopment project. – Diversify the revenue base for the Town to reduce dependence on rates. – Implement the integrated transport and parking management plans. – Rationalise the use of sporting facilities and improve local parks. – Revegetate the George St Reserve.

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