Not sure who to vote for in Oakleigh Ward? We put the tough questions to all candidates to help you make up your mind - read on for their answers. All candidates have been sent the same questionnaire, which we will post as we receive them - check back here regularly for updates. Candidates have been given until October 6 to submit their responses.
OAKLEIGH WARD
Oakleigh, Oakleigh East, Notting Hill, Hughesdale, Huntingdale, Oakleigh South, and Clayton
2008 election results:
Elected: Stephen Dimopoulos 5920, Stefanie Perri 2783, Denise McGill 3068 (not recontesting)
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Name: Nga Hosking
Suburb of residence: Clayton
Occupation: Victorian, Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC) Community Development and Partnership Officer, South East and business owner.
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? I have lived in the Clayton and the City of Monash for more than 25 years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). I have never ‘run’ for council, been a councillor before or ‘stood for’ any level of government before.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? I am currently a member of the ALP.
Are you or have you ever been a member of any political interest or lobby group? I have been a member of community interest groups and committees that connect, strengthen and support community. I am also a member of the ALP party.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes, I am committed to staying in the whole term and being an active member of local government and to be approachable and friendly, listen to and consult with the community to address issues that concern residents and achieve what is best for the local community, including the potentially isolated and vulnerable.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? My campaign budget is minimal. Some of my campaign is self-funded. I also have the support, by donations and otherwise, of the community. I paid my own nomination fee.
Where will you be campaigning? I am a candidate in the Oakleigh Ward and will be campaigning throughout the Oakleigh Ward and the surrounding areas. If you see me campaigning please come and say hello and tell me about your concerns.
Who will you direct your preferences to? If any voters want to know where any preferences are going they can check the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) website. Otherwise voters can wait for their postal packs and find out there.
Describe your involvement in the local community. Some residents would have received a letter from me in the mail detailing my commitment to local community and government. For those people who graciously received and read my letter I thank you.
In brief: I live and have raised a family in Clayton, am a self-funded business woman and locally trained in Community Services. I am the Community Development and Partnership Officer, South East for the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition. I manage the Women’s Building Bridges Project where women in the City of Monash and surrounding areas are provided leadership training to create and participate in meaningful projects that connect, support and strengthen community. Since 1988 I have consulted with community, advised and served as a volunteer in the local area some including: Strengthening Clayton and Clarinda Focus Group, the Monash Multicultural Action Committee and the Cook Islands Community.
What do you think being a councillor involves? I think being a councillor involves listening and consulting with the community and representing a considered view in the form of continued sensible and applicable policies. It also means ensuring the continued good service, facilities and economic development of the City of Monash. The City of Monash has a diverse population and it is a priority to ensure all groups feel accepted and included through being able to access relevant services.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? My commitments to the Oakleigh Ward issues are:
I will work hard for the Oakleigh Ward to receive its fair share of funds to increase services, improve facilities and build community.
I will work hard to keep rates down and wisely use funds with community consultation.
I will work hard to ensure the Oakleigh Ward is consulted and represented in council.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? My commitments to City of Monash issues are:
- Contribute and make a difference to our multicultural community:
- The Oakleigh Ward has a diverse population with various needs and it is a priority that people who may be potentially vulnerable and isolated are included through accessing vital services.
- Strengthen community-driven council process:
- I believe it’s important to be approachable and listen to community views and to ensure community needs are understood and delivered.
- Stop the over development of our suburbs and create more open space:
- Economic development is important for any area but so are its people and environment.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? Each development must be heard on its merit. Everyone’s point of view must be carefully considered and measured for proper due process and negotiation in a swift and effective manner as not to cause grief or cost to parties. Economic development is important to any area, but so are people and our environment.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? It is important to protect the environment and at the same time assist residents with any problems concerning the Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO), especially elderly citizens.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? No issues concerning Monash will be out of my hands, I will be active on all issues. I enjoy a challenge.
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Name: Tony Nalbant
Suburb of residence: Oakleigh East
Occupation: Owner of small business
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? Over 20 years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). No
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? No response.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No response.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? No response.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? I have paid for my nomination fee and will have a small but efficient budget.
Where will you be campaigning? In the Oakleigh area
Who will you direct your preferences to? To genuine candidates who have proven to me to have the integrity to do the job justice. I am aiming to get elected in my own right.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have an active involvement in the community.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Working for the ratepayers because at the end of the day they are the boss and deserve to have the best standard of representation.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Higher rates and more regulation by council
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? I think that the issues above are relevant across the board in Monash.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? I believe that neighbourhood character has to be preserved.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? I do not agree with it and will try and change it in council.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? I will work with anybody to fix things because that is what the people would have elected me to do.
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Name: Theo Zographos
Suburb of residence: Clayton
Occupation: Electorate Officer
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? I am born and raised in Oakleigh Ward and have lived here for over 20 years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). I have previously been a candidate for Monash Council and the state electorate of Oakleigh.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? Liberal Party of Australia.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? My campaign is self-funded.
Where will you be campaigning? In all corners of the Oakleigh Ward.
Who will you direct your preferences to? I have chosen to preference like-minded candidates who are standing in these elections to put Monash residents and ratepayers first. My preferences are currently available on the Victorian Electoral Commission’s website.
Describe your involvement in the local community. As someone who is born and raised in Oakleigh Ward, I have a close association with the local community and hope that this continues to be the case into the future.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Hard work and being true to the people. A good leader listens and then acts.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward?
• Economic management of council finances
• Planning
• Community safety
• Parking
• Public Transport
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash?
• Long term economic viability of the council
• Councillors wasting ratepayers money on their phone bills
• Planning
• Footpaths and roads maintenance
• Major projects being delivered on budget and value for money
• Labor Party infighting and abuse of council process
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? The current councillors approved a seven story building in a residential street in March 2010. I think that is an outrageous failure and these councillors should be held to account for their actions. I support the reforms being made by the Baillieu Government which will bring planning power back to local government where it belongs.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? Unlike many of the current councillors who have flip-flopped on this issue for their own political gain, I believe that an effective councillor must put the residents first and I will maintain this position in Oakleigh Ward where the overlay does not apply.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? I will seek to address any issue that affects the Oakleigh Ward because problems do not get solved if people ignore them.
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Name: Catherine Jane Ettery
Suburb of residence: Huntingdale
Occupation: Childcare Worker
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? Four years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). No
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? No
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? I have a small budget of approximately $300-400 which I have paid for and I paid for my nomination fee.
Where will you be campaigning? I will campaign as far across the ward as I can. I have started door knocking in Oakleigh and Huntingdale.
Who will you direct your preferences to? I will direct my preferences to candidates who I believe have the same beliefs as I do and share a similar vision for our community’s future.
Describe your involvement in the local community. No response.
What do you think being a councillor involves? I know that it is a position that requires a lot of time and effort. It also requires advocacy and I believe I have the qualities to be an effective local advocate.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward?
Childcare
Environment
Public Transport
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? The same issues as above.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? I believe that we need to maintain our open space and particularly green space, I don’t believe the current council has achieved this over the last four years.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? I think that it should apply to the whole ward.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? Obviously there are issues that local councils do not have jurisdiction over however I will aim to work together with all stakeholders to achieve results for our residents.
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Name: Stephen Dimopoulos
Suburb of residence: Oakleigh
Occupation: Project Manager
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? For over 35 years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). I have had the privilege of representing this area for 10 years on Monash Council.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? Over the last 10 years on Monash Council I have worked together with both Liberal and Labor governments to deliver good projects because this is what is important for our local area. Away from my role as a councillor, I am a member of the Australian Labor Party.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? I am paying for the all the costs associated with my own election campaign.
Where will you be campaigning? Meeting people in shopping centres, in community events and through letters and phone calls to residents.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Please see my indication of preferences in the voting pack provided by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I am involved with senior citizens clubs, university student groups, local businesses, local schools and many other groups. I am also involved as a resident and neighbour.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Helping make good decisions for the benefit of the whole community and helping individual residents with specific issues of concern to them.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? I think keeping rates low, maintaining good services and good quality infrastructure like footpaths, roads and clean and safe public places. I also think it is important to say no to inappropriate developments which do not suit our neighbourhood character.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? Keeping rates and therefore costs to families low while maintaining good quality services and an honest and responsible council.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? I totally reject inappropriate development and I believe high density multi-unit developments belong principally in activity centres, not in quiet residential streets.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? The VPO does not cover the ward I represent.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? The costs that state and commonwealth government continue to impose on local councils nationally. Also important issues like the Clayton railways crossing that is the responsibility of the state government. Council has a responsibility to advocate strongly to the state and commonwealth government to get action on these important issues.
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Name: Benjamin Djung
Suburb of residence: Chadstone
Occupation: Student
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? I have lived in Monash all my life. I was born in Monash, live in Monash and completed my primary and secondary schooling in Monash. I’m as local as can be.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). N/A
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? N/A
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? N/A
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? I am funding my own campaign.
Where will you be campaigning? I will be campaigning in the Oakleigh Ward over the next few weeks by going door knocking around the ward, to ensure that residents and small businesses can voice their concerns to me so that I can be the most effective representative for them.
Who will you direct your preferences to? I will be directing my preferences to whoever I believe will best represent the people of Oakleigh. Regrettably, the incumbent councillors in Oakeligh have failed the people of Oakleigh. So if there’s any indication, at this stage of the campaign I will be more inclined to give other candidates a go ahead of the ones with a proven record of ineffectiveness in local government.
Describe your involvement in the local community. As mentioned previously, I completed my primary and secondary schooling in Monash and maintain a close connection with both of the schools I went to. As a student, I regularly put my hand up to volunteer on behalf of the school community. I am a member of the Salesian Old Boys Cricket Club and a parishioner at St Mary Magdalen’s Parish in Chadstone.
What do you think being a councillor involves? The primary function of a councillor, or any other politician is to listen. Being a councillor means listening to the people you represent, with the primary goal of addressing their concerns so that a better community can be delivered. Being accessible to constituents, something which many of our incumbent councillors have failed to do is also another attribute that every councillor should have. Many Oakleigh residents I have spoken to have complained of the difficulty in contacting some councillors, and their poor response times. Our Oakleigh councillors quite frankly, have been missing in action.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? I believe that council needs to put a greater focus on sports in its future agenda for the Oakleigh Ward. Oakleigh is a sports centric community, with multiple sporting clubs, such as the Oakleigh Cricket Club and the Oakleigh Chargers. I believe firmly that if we are to hold the social fabric of our community, the council must continue to invest in supporting sport. Whilst I acknowledge and applaud the fact that the Council has recently upgraded some sporting facilities,more work still needs to be done. If elected, I’ll commit to maintaining and improving council’s investment in sport not only in Oakleigh, but across all wards.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? At a time where working families and small businesses are doing it tough, local government should be doing whatever it can to keep its rates low. Unfortunately, it seems as Council have failed to keep them low enough. Many of the Monash residents I’ve spoken to, in and out of Oakleigh, have complained of the rate increases. This is simply not good enough, especially when these increases are compounded by other inflationary pressures, such as price rises in electricity.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? If these buildings do not impact the existing public infrastructure, I do believe that such developments are fair, and in fact beneficial for the local economy. However, the amenity of such developments in a residential area must also be looked at. It is rather difficult to state an absolute position on this, as each proposed development must be assessed first on an individual basis.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? The council should constantly update its vegetation and tree provisions so that residents, ratepayers and our community always come first. Residents should be able to have the final say as to what happens on their own property.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? Governing should not be about dismissing certain problems that appear inherently impossible to overcome. I believe in an optimistic approach to government. Government should be about adapting, and trying to achieve the best possible solution, even though the solution may not fix the problem in its entirety. Quite rightly, there are major challenges that will confront the newly elected (or re-elected) councillors. For example, how will the new councillors deal with finding the money to cover the $12.32 million in superannuation payments for an old benefits scheme without taking the scalpel to local services or increasing rates even further on Monash residents?
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Name: Lynn Elder
Suburb of residence: East Oakleigh
Occupation: Coordinator of a Monash Neighbourhood House
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? About 22 years with my husband.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). I ran as an independent in the 2003 Monash Council elections in the old Huntingdale Ward. While I was not successful it was certainly a good learning process.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? Almost 30 years ago I was a member of the Liberal Party but haven’t been a member of any political parties since.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? That is my intention.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? Modest, as I am self-funded. I paid my own nomination fee.
Where will you be campaigning? Through out the ward and where people congregate.
Who will you direct your preferences to? My second preference is directed to another independent that has a good track record in the community. My next preferences are in support of candidates I know and respect for their work in the local community regardless of any political affiliations.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have worked as a coordinator of a local neighbourhood house in Clayton for three years which involves working closely with the community and the Monash Council. I am involved with the Oakleigh Anglican Church, the Oakleigh Carols in the Park and the Monash Oxfam Group until it closed late last year. I am currently involved with the Strengthening Clayton and Clarinda Project and the steering committee for setting up a community bank in Clayton. I am passionate about equity for all people who live in the City of Monash.
What do you think being a councillor involves? It involves being willing to listen to the views of residents and understanding the processes that council needs to take to provide services. A councillor needs to understand the various issues and to be able to make decisions for the good of the whole community.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Ensuring rate payers are able to express their concerns at a council level and are happy with the current system. Providing services that meet the needs of the local residents. Being able to make informed decisions regarding planning applications both residential and commercial. The dumping of rubbish has become a problem especially at Huntingdale Railway Station and persistent graffiti in our strip shopping areas.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? The enforcement of by-laws so that they are the same for all residents in Monash. Better management of our hard rubbish collections and the graffiti problems in our retail and residential areas. Providing and maintaining services that cater for our elderly and those with disabilities. Keeping rates at an affordable level and monitoring development in our suburbs.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? I am not against development per se but feel there needs to be more public consultation to establish what is appropriate for our local area. Some developments go ahead without considering the long term implications if the infrastructure is not in place. Problems such as access to certain streets when the boom gates are stuck down on Clayton Road are one example.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? I think this still needs to more widely consulted with rate payers and residents as not all residents are happy with the current situation.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? Solving the ongoing issue of the Clayton railway boom gates which needs action from other stakeholders to move the issue forward but I am keen to advocate for the community to secure a solution to the current situation.
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Name: Stefanie Perri
Suburb of residence: Clayton
Occupation: Mayor and councillor. Previously, Policy & Project Officer at Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA).
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? My whole life
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). Ran for council in 2008 and was honoured to be elected and given the opportunity to represent our community over the past four years.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? Yes, Australian Labor Party.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? Prior to being elected to Council, I was an active member of the Community Life Action Group (CLAG), a local community group of passionate residents who successfully worked to save the Oakleigh and Clayton pools. Also prior to my election, I was part of a group of residents from Clayton and its surrounds that came together and worked with council to develop what is now a four way partnership between the community, the Cities of Monash and Kingston and the Department of Planning and Community Development to address challenges and maximise opportunities in and around Clayton.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? I am completely funding my modest campaign budget on my own, including my nomination fee.
Where will you be campaigning? Throughout the Oakleigh Ward which includes the suburbs of Oakleigh, Oakleigh East, Oakleigh South, Clayton, Notting Hill and Hughesdale.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Please refer to the VEC website or the VEC’s postal ballot pack that you will receive in the mail between October 10 and 12. It is important for voters to number at least 19 out of the 20 boxes for the Oakleigh ward, otherwise the VEC will deem your vote to be ineligible.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I’ve lived, studied and worked in our community my whole life and am now raising my own young family in this community, so I care about its future.
As your Mayor and Councillor I have:
• invested in important community infrastructure and services including roads, foothpaths, drains, libraries, sports grounds, graffiti removal, preschools, parks and reserves
• ensured Monash residents’ rates are the lowest in Victoria
• secured $1 million in external funding to prevent violence against women and children in the City of Monash
• protected our environment by introducing the Monash Sustainability Road Map to reduce Council’s energy levels and potable water usage, while planting thousands of new trees, diverting waste from landfill and extending walking and bike paths
• worked with local sporting clubs to understand their individual needs and to expand and invest in their facilities
• fought against additional pokies in our community and lobbied the state government to protect vulnerable communities from the destructive impacts of problem gambling
• supported families with babies by creating a partnership with Waverley Private Hospital to extend Council’s popular, effective and free sleep settling program
• initiated Monash’s Women’s Business Network and championed strategies to recognise and strengthen the participation and leadership of women in our community
• increased the Monash Community Grants program to make it the most generous community grants program offered by a Victorian council
• changed the agreements for kindergartens operating from Council buildings so Monash families have first priority in enrolments
• honoured the contribution of the community group that saved the Oakleigh and Clayton pools by investing in these important facilities and providing plaques celebrating the community efforts
• expanded Council’s work on mental health by securing a partnership with a former AFL player to work with young people within sporting and community groups
• saved the annual Oakleigh and Clayton community festivals after some councillors moved to shut these popular annual events down
What do you think being a councillor involves? I know that being an effective councillor involves:
• listening, by making sure you are always contactable and taking the time to understand the needs of local residents and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard
• acting on fresh ideas, including finding creative ways to build partnerships with local community and business to deliver services and infrastructure that matter to local residents, while keeping rates low
• doing things better, by improving the delivery of services and infrastructure, improving our standards of living and community connectedness
• protecting our environment and neighbourhood character, by matching planning policies to community expectations, and preserving and enhancing our open spaces, reserves and waterways
• getting results, by working cooperatively across all levels of government to achieve the best possible outcomes for our community
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Our community is one of the most diverse places in Melbourne and the issues within the Oakleigh ward are as diverse as our community itself. An issue that one person or community group has is no more or less important than another person’s or community group’s issue. Some of the issues in our community include:
• maintenance and renewal of key infrastructure - including footpaths, walking paths, bike paths, cycling paths, tree pruning, street sweeping, lighting, sportsgrounds and parking in and around our busy shopping precincts like Oakleigh and Clayton
• problem gambling – we have more pokies in the City of Monash than any other council in Victoria and pokies are unfairly concentrated in areas like Clayton and Oakleigh. The destructive impacts of problem gambling are felt right across our community with the breakdown of relationships and families, increases in crime including domestic violence and with money being drawn away from local business
• cost of living pressures – many in our community find it hard to make ends meet, particularly pensioners. That’s why I have worked hard to keep our council rates lower than any other council in Victoria, But I know the rates bill is still a burden for many so I support an increase to the pensioner rate discount and if re-elected will move to introduce this discount
• community safety – everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and on our streets and council can and should play a key role in preventing violence against women and children and making our streets, shopping precincts and community facilities safe and welcoming for everyone
• access to quality children’s services – our children deserve the best start in life in order to achieve their full potential. Families must be able to access quality childcare, maternal and child health services, kindergarten and ongoing education, and sporting and recreation opportunities close to home.
• employment and business development – outside the City of Melbourne, there are more jobs in the City of Monash than any other council in Victoria. Our businesses provide employment to many residents and council has an important role in helping business and employment grow so that our community prospers.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? I do not believe that the issues facing the Oakleigh ward as I’ve described above are dissimilar to the issues facing the municipality in its entirety.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? While I have not, and will never, support inappropriate development, I also do not oppose development for the sake of opposing development as I do not believe that this is in our community’s best interests. In some instances multi-storey developments can reinvigorate parts of our community that need it. Some people who grew up in our community have had to move away because they can no longer afford to live here and multi-storey developments can give these people, particularly younger and older people, the opportunity to be part of our community. However, multi-storey developments need to enhance, not detract from, neighbourhood character, they need to provide residents with quality housing, they need to be in appropriate locations and they need to be judged on a case by case basis.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? The Vegetation Protection Overlay does not apply to any parts of the Oakleigh Ward and I am not unhappy about that because while I highly value our environment and believe it deserves our protection, I also believe that we can encourage green leafy neighbourhoods without becoming too prescriptive about what people can and can’t do with trees on their own property, particularly where those trees are dangerous or creating a great deal of distress to residents.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? I believe that to get results for our community it is important to work cooperatively across all levels of government. While some issues require decision making and resourcing from other levels of government, I believe councillors have an important role to play in advocating for our community, when direct decision making isn’t possible. I have done this as Mayor and Councillor on issues like the Clayton railway crossing where I often experience the frustration that many Clayton residents experience at that crossing. Along with paramedics who have expressed concern for the safety of their patients, I have and will if re-elected, continue to put pressure on the state government to fix this dangerous crossing. Likewise, I have lobbied the state government to protect vulnerable communities from the destructive impacts of problem gambling, and will continue to do so if I am re-elected.
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Name: Bill Pontikis
Suburb of residence: Mulgrave
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? 22 years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). Candidate for previous elections (2005, 2008)
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? I am an independent candidate with no party affiliations.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? My campaign budget and resources are fully donated by community members via fundraisers, and volunteers. I paid for my nomination fee.
Where will you be campaigning? I will be campaigning mostly in Oakleigh and Clayton.
Who will you direct your preferences to? I am directing my preferences to Lyn Elder.
Describe your involvement in the local community.
- President of the Clayton Traders Association
- Winner of the Sir John Monash Community Leadership Award
- Chairperson of the Bendigo Bank Community Fund
- Convenor of Café Care Ministries – addressing social isolation and disadvantage in Clayton
- Founder and Chairperson of Toxic Odour Action Group
What do you think being a councillor involves? Being accountable, accessible, reliable, and personable. Being a councillor involves listening to community’s needs, but addressing those needs by taking leadership and making real changes that last beyond election cycles.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Embracing cultural diversity is an opportunity, not a challenge. We can work forward together, or we can fall apart and go backwards. Business, schools, churches and service providers need to make sure that the community benefits from the changing demographics, because change will happen – we can’t stop that. Therefore, at local council, and as a community, we need to turn this into a positive, not a negative.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? A growing population with diverse needs means a growing demand on our resources. Monash needs to work collaboratively, and develop innovative partnerships, to ensure that we get the most return on our limited resources. As a business owner, a community advocate, and a family man, I know that this is the biggest challenge facing a growing Monash.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? Multi storey developments are significant changes to a community’s physical landscape. As such, the community needs to be included in the conversation, equitably. Community needs to be involved at the outset of plan development, not brought in as a token at the end.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? In the Oakleigh Ward, especially in Clayton this is an important issue. Development must not come at the cost of creating and preserving an environment that as it is, has minimal natural resources. More needs to be done in relation to creating environmental assets, let alone protecting those that exists.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? Nothing is out of our hands.
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Name: John Scannell
Suburb of residence: Oakleigh East
Occupation: Retired Business Services and Project Manager.
Ward nominated for: Oakleigh
How long have you lived in Monash? 53 years
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? If so, please list details (where, when, length of time, etc). No
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? I am a member of the Liberal Party but am standing as an independent because the Liberal Party does not endorse candidates for local government elections.
Are you or have you ever been a member of a political interest or lobby group? No
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes, unlike some Councillors, I do not have my eye on a political career and don’t intend to use Council as a stepping-stone to one.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? I paid my own nomination fee and am funding my entire campaign with my own resources.
Where will you be campaigning? Throughout the Oakleigh Ward
Who will you direct your preferences to? My first preference will be directed to Theo Zographos.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I have been involved in a variety of community activities during my time in Monash.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Matching the needs of the community to the resources available.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Financially, we are facing difficult times yet Monash Council is yet again asking us to pay higher rates. We don’t need more cost; we need higher standards for the services that Council provides. Ratepayers Victoria tells us that although our rates have now increased by 30% since 1996, Council service levels are still the same. This must change.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? The next four years will see a significant financial impact on ratepayers. Already the Carbon Tax has contributed to a rate income rise of 6% in the Monash Council budget and Council says rates will continue to rise. It is the impact of these increasing costs on the most vulnerable in our community that concerns me: the elderly, the disabled and those financially disadvantaged. This Council only appears to have one solution; raise rates.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? It is important that all development be balanced between the wishes of the ratepayers and the growth of Monash.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? Remnant vegetation, indigenous and introduced species are important in the evolution of Monash and must be sensitively managed.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? Any issue impacting on Monash should be open for review.
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Name: Denise Layton
Suburb of residence: Oakleigh.
Occupation: Retired Nurse.
How long have you lived in Monash? Over 40 years.
Have you run for council/ been a councillor before, or any other level of government? No.
Are you/have you been a member of a political party? If yes, which party? If no, with which political party do you most identify? No.
Are you or have you ever been a member of an political interest or lobby group? No.
If you are elected, will you commit to remaining a councillor for the whole term? Yes.
What is your campaign budget? Who is funding your campaign? Who paid for your nomination fee? I will be relying on volunteers to help me as I am a retiree and my budget is very small and I paid for my nomination.
Where will you be campaigning? In Oakleigh and Clayton.
Who will you direct your preferences to? To candidates that share the same values as me.
Describe your involvement in the local community. I’ve been involved in the community for the past 30 years, especially with the Oakleigh Youth Club.
What do you think being a councillor involves? Being a good listener and pushing the will of the people onto council.
What do you think are the most important issues for your ward? Community Services and cost of living.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Monash? Our ageing population and the support they will require.
Monash has had a series of multi-storey developments both passed and rejected recently. What’s your position on this? I support good development that builds on what we already have.
What’s your position on the council’s vegetation protection overlay? It should cover the entire city.
What issue in Monash do you think is out of your hands if you get elected? The limited funding directed towards youth and community services.
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