WE asked the six East Moorabool ward candidates to outline their motivations and comment on the major issues facing the shire.
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John Spain, 63, former information technology contractor
I have good comprehension and an ability to see the “big picture”. I want to achieve some positive changes in the engagement between council and community. Issues include council accessibility: Problems here will magnify all other issues. Regarding appropriate housing: Inappropriate housing leads to unhappy people. Traffic congestion is a problem for our health and our environment. The proposed coal mine will be decided by state government. Council has little say but can lead public opinion.
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Allan Comrie, 71, retired
My best quality is experience. I feel you should get better as you go along. I just enjoy helping people. I’m a people person. The biggest issues facing Moorabool include appropriate housing. I’m against the proposed coal mine: farms will be disrupted, lives ruined. It’s not in the best interests of the town. We need to create more jobs for kids, otherwise they’ll leave for the city.Regarding traffic congestion, there needs to be works done at Halletts Way and Woolpack Road. Traffic congestion problems will always be there, but we need to ease them.
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Tonia Dudzik, 43, full-time mother (previously worked at Brimbank Council)
I understand how local government operates, how it can improve, and where it can make cost savings. I will challenge officer reports to council and won’t be afraid to ask questions. I am running for council as I believe it’s not representative. There are no women and no young people. Moorabool needs a new council prepared to listen and respond to community needs. We need councillors who will be open and transparent, engage in active consultation and seek innovative ideas and solutions.
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Lawry Borgelt, 36, secondary school teacher
There is a glaring lack of appropriate housing development with no associated infrastructure, the final straw being a very strong feeling of council not being open and accessible. The most pressing issue facing Moorabool is the need to adopt a publicly accepted, long-term growth strategy that allows all areas of the shire to maintain their individual identity while retaining an overall consistency throughout the shire. I am defiantly pro-mining but will fight passionately to protect our soils in our special valley.
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David Edwards, 42, Australian Defence Force
I have excellent communication and negotiation skills. This will ensure that issues such as traffic congestion and appropriate housing and infrastructure will be addressed. I get enormous satisfaction working with others to provide services for the community and see council as an opportunity to work with a group of motivated individuals to improve our community. Moorabool faces challenges because of rapid growth. I believe that long-term planning, based on residents’ needs, that maintains our community identity is the number one priority.
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Pat Griffin, 58, managing director Rheology Solutions
The past four years have seen progress and achievement and there are still goals to kick. I have common sense, look for solutions, and work well with colleagues. Bacchus Marsh will grow to 26,000 people in the next 10 years or so, and maybe 30,000 by 2040. This is without further rezoning and should be the absolute limit, and protected by an urban growth boundary. We don’t need any coal mines in Bacchus Marsh. Council needs to be firm in its resolve and continue its advocacy to the state government.
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