CONFUSION over the ward restructure, which comes into effect for the next four years following the Latrobe City Council October elections, was aired at a public candidate meeting in Traralgon.
Residents voiced their uncertainty at the changes to the ward structure during the Traralgon and district East Ward meeting on Tuesday night.
The Victorian Electoral Commission review last November endorsed the recommendation which resulted in the municipality being divided into four wards represented by nine councillors, using new boundaries.
The VEC has now assigned four councillors to the East Ward, two councillors to the Central Ward, two councillors to the West Ward and one councillor to the South Ward.
The new ward structure will come into effect with the upcoming council election on Saturday, 27 October.
East Ward includes Toongabbie, Glengarry, Traralgon, Traralgon East, Traralgon South, Hazelwood North and Hazelwood South.
Central Ward includes Maryvale, Morwell, Hazelwood and Yallourn North.
West Ward includes Newborough and Moe.
South Ward includes Churchill, Yinnar and Boolarra.
Residents on the Victorian Electoral Commission’s roll, as of 31 August, will automatically have ballot packs mailed to them next week and are expected to have them returned by Friday 26 October.
There is no voting on Saturday, 27 October for a postal election.
For more information on the elections or to view more candidate information go to www.vec.vic.gov.au
Send us your candidate questions to news@lvexpress.com.au
Ask the candidates
This week The Express asked its Facebook followers what they would like to ask the candidates. We put Brendan Brentwood question, “why is it important for local government to work with the State Government regarding State Government issues that directly affect Latrobe Valley residents?”, to the candidates.
EAST WARD
Michael Rossiter: I see local government working cooperatively with both state and federal governments and each concentrating on their specific area of responsibility for the Latrobe Valley citizens and commerce. Confusing issues are not helping.
Paul Howden: Working with the State Government ensures we have local input to deliver benefits which are favourable for the community. By lobbying the State Government for funding, and working with them, we will deliver cost effective outcomes.
Kellie O’Callaghan: Council and councillors have an essential advocacy role to ensure that state decisions, whether funding, legislative or policy related reflect the needs of our local community now and into the future. We’re the communities’ voice.
Dan Jordan: The state dictates what happens in areas like roads, bike paths, planning and coal seam gas mining. Council is the interface for our community to be heard on these issues and keep State Government accountable.
Sandy Kam: It will enable us to inform the State Government on the implications of their decisions/policies on the Latrobe City residents, hopefully resulting in the best possible outcome for this community.
Dale Harriman: So we can coordinate efforts and maximise value for money. It also gives the State Government the ‘local perspective’, so that issues/projects meet local requirements, not just tick bureaucratic boxes.
Axella Johannesson: Local government has a responsibility to ensure decisions made at the state level impact positively upon Latrobe City. The best way to achieve that is for state and local governments to work together.
Anne Murphy: Local government must work with State Government to ensure optimum outcomes of any issue/funding/opportunity. It is important for local government to work closely with all levels of government when issues affect their residents.
SOUTH WARD
Darrell White: It’s critically important for council to have a positive partnership relationship with the State Government to manage the future Latrobe Valley investment and jobs creation challenge, as we transition to a low carbon sustainable future.
Gilio Barbara: It’s of the utmost importance for council to work with not only the state but also the Federal Government on issues affecting Latrobe Valley. Local government is part of the three tier structure of government.
WEST WARD
Sharon Gibson: To maximise the benefits for our residents. If the issue truly coincides with what our residents wish, we could see facilities/projects completed which then leaves more money available for our community and potentially lower rates.
Peter Gibbons: State Government has more resources than council. Our council must maintain a proper relationship with the State Government in order to access financial resources for projects that will create jobs and directly benefit local residents.
Marilyn May: It’s important for council to cooperate with the state and federal governments to get the right results for the community. After all we all have the community’s interests at heart.
Tony Flynn: Any projects, services or programs funded from the State Government generally go through local government for implementation. We need to be working with state and federal governments to get the best outcomes for Latrobe City.
Jenny Webb: State Government issues that affect Latrobe Valley residents need to be considered by local government and acted upon appropriately to the benefit of residents and businesses alike, otherwise poor decisions may result in unfavourable outcomes.
Ed Vermeulen: It’s essential all levels of government work together for the common purpose of serving our community. A typical example locally is the development of the Latrobe Regional Airport, and plenty of other examples.
CENTRAL WARD
Peter Ryan: Local government is the third tier of government so they must work hand-in-hand with all government’s to best serve the local community. They must work hand in glove to get the best thing for residents.
Bruce Lougheed: To maintain funding for services and projects that our community expect, the ability to take concerns of our community to the State Government without fear or favour.
Merv Geddes: Polices the State Government bring in require local government to deliver the services or act on the policies. It is important to maintain a progressive relationship with State Governments and their local members.
Dot Kitwood: It is important because local government are aware of local issues and are the perfect conduit between the Latrobe Valley residents and the state governing body to satisfactorily address local concerns for community betterment.
Graeme Middlemiss: The aim is always to get the best outcomes for Latrobe. Council should always work with the state to achieve this. However, this doesn’t prevent the state being held accountable when they fail us.
Christine Sindt: It is imperative because we have the coal needed for electricity, we pay more for water than anywhere else in Victoria, and the state controls funding for the key areas of health, education and transport.
