THREE Frankston Council representatives headed to Canberra this month for the National General Assembly hosted by the Australian Local Government Association.
Mayor Cr Sandra Mayer, Cr Darrel Taylor and Cr James Dooley attended the three-day annual conference for council delegates from across the nation on 14-17 June.
Cr Mayer described the yearly meeting as “a fantastic opportunity” for council to meet federal government ministers and their staff to highlight challenges faced by the Frankston community.
“The councillors participated in a very hectic schedule over the course of the conference ,” Cr Mayer said.
“The event was a fantastic opportunity to both network and to advocate for key priorities relevant to both Frankston City and the entire South East Melbourne region, to support jobs creation opportunities, regional recreational and health needs and major infrastructure projects.”
Councillors met with federal ministers and their representatives to discuss the Frankston Transit Interchange project, the need to establish a Health and Human Services hub in Frankston and funding for the Frankston Basketball Stadium.
Council also lobbied for the National Broadband Network to be rolled out across the municipality to support businesses and jobs creation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss addressed the assembly delegates and federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt was also among the speakers.
Australian of the Year Rosie Batty addressed the delegates about The Luke Batty Foundation’s Never Alone campaign to help women and children affected by family violence.
The cost to have the three Frankston representatives attend the assembly was $7617, in the same financial ballpark as neighbouring southeast councils Mornington Peninsula Shire and Kingston who spent $7028 and $7682 respectively on travel and accommodation to send three representatives each to Canberra.
