The by-election for the State Seat of Warrandyte will be held on 26th August. WCA invited members to meetings with the Liberal Candidate, Nicole Werner, and the Greens candidate, Tomas Lightbody. Notes on our discussions with each are below. The ALP is not running a candidate.
Download the notes here:
Tomas Lightbody Notes
Nicole Werner Notes
NOTES ON A MEETING WITH NICOLE WERNER
LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR THE WARRANDYTE STATE BYELECTION
2.00-4.00pm Tuesday 25th July
Warrandyte Community Association Inc.
Meeting Room, 168 Yarra St, Warrandyte
In attendance were members of the WCA, the Warrandyte Community Retirement Housing Cooperative and Andersons Creek Landcare Group.
Following welcome and introductions, discussion opened on the background to the formation of the WCA in 2001 and earlier community activity.
A brief review of WCA major initiatives followed including:
- Planning & Environment, importance of the ‘Green Wedge’
- Public Meetings: Cemetery Trust, Election forums, Traffic forum 2005, Bus Survey 2008, Sewage etc.
- Development of the Warrandyte Community Retirement Housing Cooperative
- The ‘Be Ready Warrandyte’ Bushfire Campaign
- The Warrandyte Riverside Market collaboration with Rotary, Lions, CFA and the Warrandyte Community Church
- Office space – available for meetings, exhibitions and collaboration with other community groups
- Results of the WCA ‘Warrandyte Have Your Say’ recent survey of residents.
- Nicole outlined her background in the grassroots charitable space and as Business Manager for the Food Bank initiative; “Service above Self” being her motto. She noted that one in five Australians go short of food.
- She is concious of the diversity in the Warrandyte State Electorate within the current electoral boundaries. Warrandyte, with its ‘Country in the City’ identity, has some issues that differ to other areas.
Nicole emphasised that she is full support of defending and protecting the Green Wedge. In relation to the environment and planning, she raised the suggestion of a ‘Green Wedge Commissioner’ to oversee or regulate this area.
We briefly considered the current housing crisis, pressure to subdivide and build up and possible ‘Regional Development’.
We discussed particular problems relating to ‘Ageing well in Warrandyte’ and the possibly unique development of the WCRHC.
This led on to a general discussion on the difficulty of attracting volunteers to local initiatives such as the WCRHC, the Market and Service Groups.
Underfunding of State schools including those in Warrandyte was identified as an issue.
We discussed the background to and continuing hazards at the ‘Five Ways’ intersection on the Ringwood Warrandyte Road.
In relation to delivering effectively as an opposition member, WCA encouraged development of a working relationship with local State government members.
Nicole can be contacted on: nicole.werner@vic.liberal.org.au
NOTES ON A MEETING WITH TOMAS LIGHTBODY
GREENS CANDIDATE FOR THE WARRANDYTE STATE BYELECTION
2.00-4.00pm Thursday 27th July
Warrandyte Community Association Inc.
Meeting Room, 168 Yarra St, Warrandyte
In attendance were members of the WCA, the Warrandyte Community Retirement Housing Cooperative and residents.
Following welcome and introductions, discussion opened on the background to the formation of the WCA in 2001 and earlier community activity.
A brief review of WCA major initiatives followed including:
- Planning & Environment, importance of the ‘Green Wedge’
- Public Meetings: Cemetery Trust, Election forums, Traffic forum 2005, Bus Survey 2008, Sewage etc.
- Development of the Warrandyte Community Retirement Housing Cooperative
- The ‘Be Ready Warrandyte’ Bushfire Campaign
- The Warrandyte Riverside Market collaboration with Rotary, Lions, CFA and the Warrandyte Community Church
- Office space – available for meetings, exhibitions and collaboration with other community groups
- Results of the WCA ‘Warrandyte Have Your Say’ recent survey of residents.
Tomas is the Deputy Mayor of Manningham City Council and the Councillor for Manna Ward. His initial studies were in Architecture and he has a Masters in Urban Design and Planning. Inevitably discussion also included local Council issues of relevance to Warrandyte. He sees the potential removal of planning power from Councils to State Government as cause for concern, e.g. rezoning land with an uplift levy to raise revenue.
Particular issues of concern for the Warrandyte Electorate are public transport, particularly accessibility, and bushfire risk management in the Warrandyte State Forest. The current outbreak of wildfires internationally underlines the need for a well-funded Emergency Management response capability.
Longer Warrandyte Library opening hours are a possibility with unmanned access via ‘pass entry’ cards.
Preservation of the Green Wedge is a significant issue. He thinks the ‘Green Wedge Commissioner’ concept makes sense, but what power will the Commissioner have and what if a bad appointment is made?
Park management particularly deer control is an issue. Currently Council charge residents for control services when it is clearly not a problem of their making. Parks Victoria is underfunded. Further discussion on the complexity of grazing management indicated problems with overgrazing by native animals particularly kangaroos.
We reviewed the background to the development of the Warrandyte Community Retirement Cooperative in providing appropriate independent living for older residents. We noted that the Coop is cited as a precedent for subdivision by Developers who fail to understand that the planning basis is residential accommodation use; no subdivision is involved. Residents occupy units on a loan lease basis but the properties are owned by the Coop.
We noted the results of the professionally run WCA ‘Warrandyte Have Your Say’ survey, listed on the WCA website.
Tomas can be contacted on:
tomas.lightbody@vic.greens.org.au
or instagram/all socials which is @tomaslightbody