I decided to write a short committment for Bicycle Victoria to let their members know what I stand for in terms of transport of the two-wheeled variety. Here is what I said:
"As a Greens candidate, it’s a fundamental part of my platform that people rely less on their cars and more on alternative means, including walking and riding their bicycles. As such, I would advocate for a Council-wide linkup of bicycle paths, more secure bike parking areas, the inclusion of bicycle lanes where possible and bicycle-friendly ramps around our famous Frankston foreshore. Every weekend, cyclists ride through our municipality on the Nepean Highway enjoying a casual ride or a serious race. Linking up a bike path with our municipal neighbours on the Mornington Peninsula would help with the safety of these cyclists. I would advocate for the implementation of a special lock-up “bike zone” at Frankston station, providing a safer and more secure area for residents to “Bike and Train” into the City for their daily commute. I will also commit more Council funding to school-aged education programs within the City so as to encourage more students to use their bikes to get to and from school or around Frankston."
Preferences closed today. In the interests of transparency, here are my preferences:
1. Jaymz Stevens (of course!)
2. Robert Thurley
3. Barry Priestley
4. Christine Richards
5. Alistair Wardle
6. Brian Cunial
7. Judy Wachendorfer
8. Henryk Kay
9. Wayne Woods
10. Suzette Trewhitt
My posters are out in the City today, so keep your eye out for them. You may have come across this blog because of them. If so, welcome and please feel free to leave a comment or an e-mail to let me know what you think of my campaign or issues you feel strongly about.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Preferences nearly closed, candidates' forum information
The closing time for candidates to enter their preferences is tomorrow (Friday) at 4pm. I will be posting my full preference listing on this blog to ensure full transparency.
Next Friday night, there will be a candidates' forum at the Pines Community Centre in Frankston North from 7.30pm. Apparently, each candidate will be presenting for two minutes on their vision of the future of Frankston. Although Frankston North is not in my ward (South-West), I will be attending to show support for my North-West counterpart Les Mallett as well as doing a presentation myself. I have heard from a couple of other candidates from my ward that they will not be attending. I guess some candidates aren't serious about helping Frankston as a whole and are focussed on their own areas.
Anyway, I am off for a run around Frankston with my wife. Frankston has some incredible places for running or taking a stroll. The boardwalk is one of my favourite spots, and of course our incredible beach - the safest beach in Victoria!
Next Friday night, there will be a candidates' forum at the Pines Community Centre in Frankston North from 7.30pm. Apparently, each candidate will be presenting for two minutes on their vision of the future of Frankston. Although Frankston North is not in my ward (South-West), I will be attending to show support for my North-West counterpart Les Mallett as well as doing a presentation myself. I have heard from a couple of other candidates from my ward that they will not be attending. I guess some candidates aren't serious about helping Frankston as a whole and are focussed on their own areas.
Anyway, I am off for a run around Frankston with my wife. Frankston has some incredible places for running or taking a stroll. The boardwalk is one of my favourite spots, and of course our incredible beach - the safest beach in Victoria!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Meetings, preferences and some honest thoughts...
I have been meeting my fellow candidates daily for the last few days in order to understand the reasons behind their candidacy, the issues that we may differ on, and of course, to talk about preferences.
It is a long held belief by many in the community that Greens candidates always preference Labor candidates - that a vote for the Greens is essentially a vote for Labor. This is not true. It wasn't true in the last Federal Election and I can categorically state that I will not be preferencing any endorsed Labor candidates in these Local Government Elections.
I will be preferencing candidates which have similar beliefs and ideas as me. Candidates who are passionate about Frankston and changing the way the wider community (ie. the rest of Melbourne) views our beautiful City.
It also seems to be a belief held by some people in the community that Greens candidates are automatically against any big developments (such as the Marina) and other issues. For my thoughts on the marina, please see my blog post on it here. I am a candidate that takes everything on merit. If elected, I will measure up the pros and cons of every development and issue which requires my vote, taking advice and listening to opinions from those in the community that the issue or development may affect. It's important to me that Frankston is a terrific City for years and years to come. Will our children thank us for making these decisions? Will WE thank ourselves in the coming years for these decisions?
Everything requires thought and everything requires serious thought.
I will be attending the Friends of Frankston's Film Night tonight. It is being held at the Uniting Church, 18 High Street, Frankston at 7.30pm. The film being shown is David Bradbury's look at Council Elections in Byron Bay; "The Battle for Byron". Sounds like an interesting film and I look forward to meeting those who are attending.
It is a long held belief by many in the community that Greens candidates always preference Labor candidates - that a vote for the Greens is essentially a vote for Labor. This is not true. It wasn't true in the last Federal Election and I can categorically state that I will not be preferencing any endorsed Labor candidates in these Local Government Elections.
I will be preferencing candidates which have similar beliefs and ideas as me. Candidates who are passionate about Frankston and changing the way the wider community (ie. the rest of Melbourne) views our beautiful City.
It also seems to be a belief held by some people in the community that Greens candidates are automatically against any big developments (such as the Marina) and other issues. For my thoughts on the marina, please see my blog post on it here. I am a candidate that takes everything on merit. If elected, I will measure up the pros and cons of every development and issue which requires my vote, taking advice and listening to opinions from those in the community that the issue or development may affect. It's important to me that Frankston is a terrific City for years and years to come. Will our children thank us for making these decisions? Will WE thank ourselves in the coming years for these decisions?
Everything requires thought and everything requires serious thought.
I will be attending the Friends of Frankston's Film Night tonight. It is being held at the Uniting Church, 18 High Street, Frankston at 7.30pm. The film being shown is David Bradbury's look at Council Elections in Byron Bay; "The Battle for Byron". Sounds like an interesting film and I look forward to meeting those who are attending.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Riding around Town
From today onwards, you may see me around Frankston riding my new (used!) bike. I'm the guy with the Greens stickers on his helmet.
I think it's important to walk the walk, and since I am running on a "less reliance on cars" platform, I will not be using my car in this campaign (except if my wife and children are attending events or shopping with me, or it's my turn to pick up the kids!). I think that for short trips it is quite easy to invest in a bicycle or, even easier, to walk to the local shops! I understand that for longer trips, it's almost impossible to walk (public transport, perhaps?). For those with young children (like myself), it can be very difficult walking to the shops. Have a go anyway!
Alongside this, we need to increase public transport. The Frankston railway line needs to be extended to Baxter, and Councils (as well as communities) need to band together to lobby State Government to increase the number of services and the quality of these services (rail and bus).
Another idea I have is for an inner and outer loop situation, where we can link up stations towards the end of certain lines (Frankston, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Glen Waverley, Nunawading, and so on). The inner loop (which is not so much a Frankston issue) would link up stations such as Caulfield with East Malvern and across to Box Hill. Don't get me wrong. These are major works and require more thought and process than what i've outlined here (tunnels or no tunnels? Stations in between these outer loop stations?) but I think it is a credible idea.
Ideas are important and the most realistic ideas are going to come from one source : the community for whom these ideas are required. That's why I am, on this election campaign, going to link up with community groups at meetings and find out what ideas THEY have. Let's give the community a true, genuine ear on Council. It's about time!
I think it's important to walk the walk, and since I am running on a "less reliance on cars" platform, I will not be using my car in this campaign (except if my wife and children are attending events or shopping with me, or it's my turn to pick up the kids!). I think that for short trips it is quite easy to invest in a bicycle or, even easier, to walk to the local shops! I understand that for longer trips, it's almost impossible to walk (public transport, perhaps?). For those with young children (like myself), it can be very difficult walking to the shops. Have a go anyway!
Alongside this, we need to increase public transport. The Frankston railway line needs to be extended to Baxter, and Councils (as well as communities) need to band together to lobby State Government to increase the number of services and the quality of these services (rail and bus).
Another idea I have is for an inner and outer loop situation, where we can link up stations towards the end of certain lines (Frankston, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Glen Waverley, Nunawading, and so on). The inner loop (which is not so much a Frankston issue) would link up stations such as Caulfield with East Malvern and across to Box Hill. Don't get me wrong. These are major works and require more thought and process than what i've outlined here (tunnels or no tunnels? Stations in between these outer loop stations?) but I think it is a credible idea.
Ideas are important and the most realistic ideas are going to come from one source : the community for whom these ideas are required. That's why I am, on this election campaign, going to link up with community groups at meetings and find out what ideas THEY have. Let's give the community a true, genuine ear on Council. It's about time!
Monday, October 27, 2008
No to Marina complex! Yes to Safe Boat Harbour!
The Frankston Marina was put forward by Council for tender last week. This development has divided the city... many people want a Safe Boat Harbour, many don't want our beautiful Frankston Beach ruined by a massive development... Some wonder if, in our current economic climate, a hotel complex or apartments could prove to be environmentally or economically sustainable?
There are many questions coming from the community and these need to be heard and answered by those who are putting themselves up to represent the Frankston community.
It is clearly a contentious issue that needs to be explored further.
Personally, I do not believe in a Marina development. I think an environmentally sound Safe Boat Harbour would be a good step forward for the community. It would be an excellent upgrade from the current facilities for boat users near Oliver's Hill.
Instead of building new developments, why can't we fill all of the vacant places in the Frankston CBD? Fill the empty and unused shops (such as Dimmeys and Spotlight) before looking to develop elsewhere. Especially on beautiful Oliver's Hill. That view is truly the best in Melbourne. It cannot and must not be spoiled.
Les Mallett (my fellow Greens candidate who is running in Frankston's North-West Ward) and I (South-West Ward candidate) will be appearing at Frankston railway station and Shannon Mall (near the entrance to Bayside Shopping Centre) at different times between 11 and 14th November. More details to come...
There are many questions coming from the community and these need to be heard and answered by those who are putting themselves up to represent the Frankston community.
It is clearly a contentious issue that needs to be explored further.
Personally, I do not believe in a Marina development. I think an environmentally sound Safe Boat Harbour would be a good step forward for the community. It would be an excellent upgrade from the current facilities for boat users near Oliver's Hill.
Instead of building new developments, why can't we fill all of the vacant places in the Frankston CBD? Fill the empty and unused shops (such as Dimmeys and Spotlight) before looking to develop elsewhere. Especially on beautiful Oliver's Hill. That view is truly the best in Melbourne. It cannot and must not be spoiled.
Les Mallett (my fellow Greens candidate who is running in Frankston's North-West Ward) and I (South-West Ward candidate) will be appearing at Frankston railway station and Shannon Mall (near the entrance to Bayside Shopping Centre) at different times between 11 and 14th November. More details to come...
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