Candidates focus on better consultation

Better community consultation has emerged as a major priority of almost every candidate standing for election in Baw Baw Shire this month.

A strong field of 21 candidates will seek election to nine councillor positions.

The Gazette has interviewed all candidates for profiles that appear in today’s edition. The interviews revealed a long list of varying priorities between the three wards, but community consultation and engagements was a major issues for almost every candidate.

Across all three wards rates, financial management, roads, residential and economic development were all broad issues raised by candidates.

For central ward candidates, the town’s residential and business growth were priorities, particularly enhancing opportunities for new businesses and employment in towns as well as improving and increasing infrastructure to meet the shire’s growing population numbers.

Some of the Drouin specific issues raised for the west ward were traffic management along Princes Way through the central business district and the danger of heavy vehicles accessing Roberts Crt and Weerong Rd industrial areas.

Both east and west ward candidates were keen to maintain the rural character of Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon and their smaller neighbouring towns.

In the east ward, returning a customer service centre to Trafalgar, a new library in Trafalgar and better recognition of the needs of rural towns were the common priorities of candidates.

There are nine candidates for central ward, six for east ward and six for west ward. Three councillors will be elected in each ward.

Central ward candidates in ballot paper order are: Mikaela Power, Remi Yusef, Teresa Mitchell, Dale Bainbridge, Justin Cooper, Danny Goss, Duncan McNeil, Joe Gauci and Annemarie McCabe.

East ward candidates include David Lyons, Darren Wallace, Peter Kostos, Darren Short, Michael Leaney and Fred Boreham.

West ward candidates are: Jessica O’Donnell, Debbie Brown, Shelley Wyatt, Tricia Jones, Keith Cook and Jennifer Smith.

Voting packs were sent to residents last week.

Voters are reminded that voting is secret; the outside tab containing a person’s private details is removed by VEC staff to check off on the electoral list, while the votes are recorded separately. Personal details and votes are not collated together.

The VEC will co-ordinate the election, that will be by postal vote and closes at 6pm on October 21.

The poll will be declared at 10am on Monday, October 31.

Candidate profiles – pages 28-32