EIGHTEEN candidates are running for three seats to represent the North ward at Kingston Council for the next four years. The North ward includes Moorabbin, Highett, Oakleigh South, Heatherton, Clarinda, Clayton South and Dingley Village.
Ballot papers are being mailed out to voters by the Victorian Electoral Commission ahead of Kingston Council elections on 22 October. Voters should return completed ballot papers well before a final deadline of Friday 21 October, 6pm.
Voters who have not received a ballot pack by Wednesday 12 October should call the VEC on 8619 1615 to arrange a replacement.
JIM DALE
What suburb do you live in? I am a 57-year-old resident of the Moorabbin area and opposed the mergers, that had a detrimental effect on Moorabbin for years.
What is your occupation? I operate a small Test and Tag as a sole trader and understand the effects of rates and council actions on small business.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
As the mum and dad takeaways cost go up including rates they see less and less. The result will be no fish and chip shops, no dry cleaners and very few independent restaurants. They see little or no services from the council and no reaction to traffic and parking complaints.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? No.
GINA DI SCALA
What suburb do you live in? Moorabbin.
What is your occupation? Mental Health Clinician (Master of Social Work – The University of Melbourne).
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Improving community and personal safety; good infrastructure, including quality services for all ages; accessible community facilities and quality open space; lower rates for residents and strong controls over council expenditure ensures council is accountable and achieves better outcomes; attracting businesses to locate and invest in Kingston to strengthen the local economy and provide more jobs opportunities. I am for progress but against inappropriate development and loss of valuable environmental assets; cracking down on illegal littering & proactively managing the remaining tips and landfill.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? I am not a member of a political party.
SIMONE HARDHAM
What suburb do you live in? Dingley Village.
What is your occupation? Senior Project Officer – with the same employer for 16 years. Now part time to support my ability to prioritise my responsibility as councillor if successful.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Inappropriate development – due to the lack of current and future planning of infrastructure namely multilevel developments and those proposed for our golf courses. For example the overcrowding of some schools, kindergartens, childcare facilities and lack of parking spaces. The other huge issue for Kingston is the sky rail.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? No, I am not a member of a political party nor will I ever be. I am truly independent as a resident eager to represent the community with integrity and genuineness.
SCOTT LOWTHER
What suburb do you live in? Heatherton.
What is your occupation? Owner of a Business and Supply Chain Strategy Consultancy. Bachelor of Applied Science, Grad Cert Computing, MBA and Diploma Financial Services.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Improvements that benefit the majority. We seem to be catering to the minority rather than the majority of Kingston residents i.e. dealing with the squeaky wheels rather than thinking of the harm that is being caused to others. The council needs to be more proactive and consider long term thinking rather than the short term fix
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? No political affiliations.
NANDANI SINGHAL
What suburb do you live in? Clayton South
What is your occupation? IT Consultant
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
Our Council has to tackle many issues but i think the number 1 issue is: Protecting our neighbourhoods from Inappropriate development and at the same time managing the increasing demand for housing for the growing population..It is the number 1 issue because it is very important to respect the wishes of our community who loves their open spaces/their environment and want to retain the neighbourhood character/spaces of their suburbs.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? No.
Cr STEVE STAIKOS
What suburb do you live in? Clarinda.
What is your occupation? Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Community Housing Federation of Victoria.
What do you believe is the number 1 issue for council to tackle? Why?
The Green Wedge: Council must properly manage the transition of the Green Wedge from its current undesirable uses, to a Green Wedge that is home to sympathetic uses. With priority given to agriculture, parks, open spaces and sporting facilities. This will mean the dust, odours and pest issues faced by residents in Clayton South, Clarinda, Dingley Village, Heatherton and Oakleigh South will finally be replaced by the Chain of Parks concept.
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of a political party? If so, which party (and when if no longer a member)? Yes, Australian Labor Party.
What has been your biggest achievement during this council term?
The introduction of Planning Scheme Amendment C143 – this new planning law will effectively mean the end of tips, waste and recycling facilities in the Green Wedge. This will allow for the full implementation of the Green Wedge Management Plan and the Chain of Parks.
What has been your biggest regret during this council term?
Council must do more on managing traffic and parking. This is so important with the development in the areas of Moorabbin, Cheltenham and Highett. We need to prioritise existing residents and manage developments more strictly. All residents value their local streets, I don’t want to see development take away from the amenity of our suburbs.
Cr Tamara Barth and candidates George Hua, Peter Muller, Savo Peulich, Vasilios Giourmetakis, Illya Latch, Michael Carty, Jian Huang Li, Tasos Dimitriu, Joanne Dunn, Gandhi Bevinakoppa and Vera Grace Webber did not respond to emailed questions.
This post was amended on 13 October to show Scott Lowther is running in North ward and not South ward as originally incorrectly stated.
