As your local Councillor, I will fight for:

ҩ Inclusive, transparent and engaged local government, which serves all of the community

In this last Council, we have seen community consultation undermined, debate within Council shut down and a large amount of debate happen behind closed doors. We need to bring community back in to Council, increase pathways for engagement and respect local knowledge.

ҩ Sustainability of our natural and built environment: tree canopy, wetlands, native fauna and heritage

Our wetlands are globally significant for biodiversity and building their resilience is essential for combating climate change. Tree canopy targets need to be both realistic and ambitious (yes its possible with good policy!). Good tree canopy mitigates the urban heat island effect, takes CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere, and contributes to more liveable, walkable neighbourhoods. Protecting our heritage is also important for a community that connects with its past whilst preparing for the future.

ҩ Collaborative solutions to the Out of School Hours Care crisis at Maylands Peninsula Primary School

I have been involved in the community campaign on this issue, and dismayed that Council hasn’t responded to our clear community need. We currently have only two off-site out of school hours care providers and the waitlist for one is over 60 kids! Many parents - mums especially - are unable to return to work or resume their previous careers because of this lack of adequate care options. Council has been asked multiple times over the last two years to approve using the Gibbney pavilion adjacent to the school for a care provider when the current lease is up at the end of 2023. It’s been rejected twice and then just before the election, Council chose to delay the vote until after the election. Again, forcing community to undertake exhausting long-term campaigns with an out of touch Council that isn’t responding to a clear community interest.

ҩ Proper consideration of cost of living pressures on all residents young and old when deciding on rates, services and spending efficiencies

We’ve seen rate increases of 9.9% in the last two years, whilst also seeing the closure of important low-cost services that serve the most vulnerable. The childhood immunisation program was shut down through a Council decision with no warning to staff nor a transition plan for clients who were booked for the 6 months ahead, some of whom turned up to a closed clinic for a service that had been cancelled. A motion was proposed to fund the service through modest cuts to things like Councillor meals budget but was rejected by Council.

ҩ Smart planning of roads and pathways for accessible, safe and effective connections that promote active transport

Our roads and pathways need to connect us! A constant frustration of residents is the division across the Railway line since Caledonian Ave crossing was closed. It hurt businesses, and disconnected the two sides of the neighbourhood. Our pathways need to be properly maintained, prioritising accessibility, safety and connectivity. Road and pathway planning needs to take into account the impact on all the different ways people move through the area.

ҩ Supporting local business and community with positive solutions to town centre issues

We have a parking strategy for Maylands Town Centre that has never been properly implemented. We need better wayfinding to help people find parking areas and a reassessment of whether the current levels are meeting people’s needs. I hear from a lot of older residents that it is getting harder and harder to find parking, which impacts their access to essential services like the Medical Centre and the Chemist.

We also need a strategy to activate empty shops, preferably with long term tenants but other activations can also work to enhance the area and bring in investment and interest. There are lots of ideas out there in the community, we just need to listen and provide support to implement them! As someone running a business in Eighth Ave, the empty shops really impact our ability to market Maylands as a destination.

ҩ Amplifying community voices on local issues, like Maylands Brickworks, Maylands Lakes, wetlands rehabilitation

Local community groups understand their issues better than anyone. We need to bring these voices into decision-making, respect local knowledge and make good decisions based on the community interest.

ҩ A thriving arts and culture community that shapes an Arts & Culture Plan

We have one of the most creative communities you could hope for - we need to capitalise on that! Previous rounds of community consultation drew out amazing ideas for the area but very little of that ended up in the Cultural Plan, to much dismay. We need a plan that really reflects our ambitions for the area, and an Arts Officer to give it strategic direction and ensure we can achieve it!