FROM today, people across Greater Shepparton will be receiving ballot papers to vote in the Greater Shepparton City Council elections.
There are 17 candidates looking to fill nine seats on Council for the next four years.
In this edition of The Adviser, candidates were asked to answer two questions, the first being:
- What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
We then gave them four other questions and asked them to provide an answer to only one:
- What are your views on paid parking in the Shepparton CBD?
- What is your position on rates?
- What are your views on rubbish collection?
- How would you revitalise the Shepparton CBD?
We hope the candidate profiles, arranged in alphabetical order of their surnames, help you to make an informed decision on who to vote for.
Completed ballot papers must be returned by mail before 6pm on Friday, October 23, or in person at the election office at 207 High Street, Shepparton.
Final results are expected no later than Friday, November 13.
Kim O’Keeffe
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The impact of COVID-19 is the biggest issue we face and the Council plays a leading role in supporting the community and driving economic relief and support. The impact on hospitality, tourism, entertainment, the arts and retail has been significant. We are a strong, positive and resilient community and with strong leadership we will work through the recovery together.
What are your views on paid parking in the Shepparton CBD?
It is going to take time to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and we must give the CBD traders every opportunity to attract people into the CBD and not to be disadvantaged by paid parking. I secured the free off-street timed car parking, which was more than 400 car parks. We now need to complete the next stage which is free on-street timed parking. I would also like further discussion around Council purchasing the Shepparton multi deck car park.
Allan Turner
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Biggest issue is providing the strongest leadership and support for all businesses and industries in our region to inspire and motive them to grow and prosper.
This will lead to stronger employment outcomes for everyone. Especially for our children’s employment opportunities for the future. Engaging to bring new businesses to our region is a must, which will lead to stronger employment outcomes.
What is your position of the rates levels in Greater Shepparton?
Rates certainly need to be reviewed and Council needs to demonstrate why they are at the level they are.
The fact is, Shepparton’s rates are higher than many other like-for-like towns or many suburbs in Melbourne? I for one would like to have lower rates, as I am a rate payer for my home and my local business.
Zahra Haydar Big
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
As a local community representative and a prospective councillor, I admit Council can improve addressing the local issues. At the moment the main one is the COVID-19 pandemic effecting the region’s economic, educational system and social justice.
My objectives are to support the Council, the initiatives and the community, in recovering from the pandemic getting all up and running even better than the past.
How would you revitalise the Shepparton CBD?
Unfortunately, the CBD never recovered fully since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, sadly now due to COVID-19 the problems are getting worse not only at the Shepparton Mall but also all around the 14 town centres in our region where, as a prospective Councillor, I will support it to have better quality dining, facilities for families and young children. And we need to encourage a greater variety of outlets and businesses at the centre of the towns.
Geoffrey Dobson
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The biggest issues for the next four years are the financial and social aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the debate over rates (be they are fixed, frozen or reduced), increased inclusion of communities in addition to Shepparton and the leadership around environmental and climate change.
Underpinning those issues includes the immediate need to complete the Shepparton Caravan Park redevelopment, the development of a Policy, a one-stop program to entice metropolitan business interests to Greater Shepparton, the long-term planning for Shepparton’s population increases and the future of water through the Murray Darling Basin Program.
What is your position on rates?
Before rates can be addressed, Council spending must be examined.
Greg James
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Free tip vouchers must be a part of the rates. Yes, commercial rates need a review, and no we should not be handing out CBD parking fines, we should be placing out the welcome mat!
What are your views on rubbish collection?
Free tip vouchers are what ratepayers seek, together with free once-a-year hard rubbish collection. My in-person surveys and on-line analytics confirm such.
Seema Abdullah
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Recovery from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 is the biggest issue where Council can play a proactive role with strong leadership.
Working in collaboration with community groups, businesses, etc., Council should outline priority projects and with strong advocacy get the funding support from State/Federal Governments to bring more jobs, better services and facilities for our people.
What are your views on rubbish collection?
I believe a weekly collection service for green bins (food and organics) should be considered to divert more waste from the landfill. An option for bigger (360l) recycling bins should also be available, as an incentive to sort more recyclables.
Targeted assistance should be provided to members of the community with mobility and transport issues, to help them dispose of their household waste.
Rob Priestly
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Provide the overarching strategic vision for our region. Greater Shepparton sits at a crossroads with prosperity down one path, and stagnation down the other.
If we want a better future, we need to plan for it and strive for it, not drift with the wind. Health, education, a diverse economy, a university presence, and a culture that attracts and retains youth. These are the things that build successful regions.
What are your views on rubbish collection?
A golden opportunity exists for a waste-to-energy plant in our region. A plant would generate between 30 and 50 jobs depending its size.
It stops our community paying millions in state landfill levies. It is good for the environment, with the carbon impact equivalent to taking 20,000 cars off the road in our region. The numbers stack up so let’s get cracking!
Sam Spinks
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The biggest need is easing the challenges faced by our communities. Increased cost of living, housing affordability, school readiness, public transport – these all contribute to a person’s ability to live comfortably and to meaningfully contribute to the world around them.
We need a greater focus on supporting our people, and collaborating with our service providers who work in these spaces.
What are your views on rubbish collection?
We need to have a greater focus on waste reduction, with both green waste and recycling being priority.
We need to provide incentives for business and industry to reduce the waste produced as outputs and through processes, and we need to look at ways to better manage our waste systems including waste-to-energy options, recycling sorting, and single-use plastic reduction.
Dinny Adem
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The pandemic is front and centre as the single largest issue facing all of our community.
Council has assisted with initiatives from business assistance grants to face mask distribution. Council is also providing the community with accurate information on where other forms of assistance may be sought, however my plan for a COVID-19 rates rebate program will provide some real economic relief for all ratepayers.
How would you revitalise the Shepparton CBD?
Traditionally, the business activity in the CBD was driven by a variety of retail stores.
As seemingly unstoppable trends like online shopping and satellite shopping centres have taken their toll on the CBD, new solutions must be implemented to revive the heart of our city. Inner city living combined with opening up the mall are the two most obvious solutions to this challenge.
Shelley Sutton
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The 2050 Plan is an issue the Greater Shepparton Council can address in the short term. This plan is extremely important and it must be addressed and an outcome obtained that is fair for all in our community.
The Plan advises the way forward for the next 20 years, so it has to be right.
Communication with the entire Greater Shepparton community is the key to getting this plan accepted and valued by all in our municipality.
What is your position on rates?
The rating strategy needs to be reviewed and different options explored to allow for a reduction.
We need to look at programs that have been instigated by the State Government and at the end of the funding they expect the Council to continue.
A specialised accounting firm could be engaged to look at our strategy and see where savings can be made – a new set of eyes from a different perspective.
Andrew Bock
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton is poverty, which in turn raises a range of issues including housing and rates, mental health and addiction, to name but a few.
Council can have an impact, indirectly, through lobbying State and Federal Governments for better policies and further investment, and directly through planning reforms, mental health first aid training and stimulating economic growth.
What is your position on rates?
Whilst there are many factors behind the number of empty shops in our towns and city centre, the level of rates charged to commercial properties is one of them.
I’ve proposed that an efficiency dividend of two percent be applied to each Council department and that a thorough review of spending take place, to put downward pressure on spending and rates.
Anthony Brophy
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Post-COVID the region will be hit hard economically. Greater Shepparton needs to partner with other levels of government and the private sector to advocate and win competitive projects.
We need to capitalise on the migration of city dwellers to the region and pushing harder for better telecommunications and transport connectivity. We need a state-of-the-art sports stadium and a Council as a percentage of their business that buy and employ locally.
What are your views on paid parking in the Shepparton CBD?
I have long advocated for free street parking in and around the CBD, albeit with time restrictions, adequate disabled parking and loading bay allocations.
I publicly pointed out the anomaly to Council recently of not including the West Walk car park in their off-street carpark initiative. A serious overall parking strategy needs to be adopted for the CBD.
Royden James
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Given community concern, rates are the biggest issue that Council can address by itself.
I acknowledge Shepparton’s rates appear high compared to similar regional cities and this is of concern to the community. I do not have sufficient knowledge to say rates should be cut but I have the expertise to fully understand the rating system and propose sensible changes, if necessary.
How would you revitalise the Shepparton CBD?
The challenges confronting commerce in Shepparton’s CBD are immense. There is no single solution.
The one thing that will make a difference is to ensure early completion of the Shepparton Bypass. This will remove heavy traffic from High Street and encourage businesses to return. Council must be prepared to advocate for the Bypass in the strongest of terms.
Ben Ladson
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Like my first campaign in 2016 calling to put a leash on Council spending, I still want to see Council be accountable and transparent for the expenditure of ratepayers’ money, bringing rates into line with other comparable councils.
To achieve this will need the majority of councillors to work together, and I am prepared to discuss all options.
What is your position on rates?
The rates levels are a major reason why I stood four years ago, and I stand again in 2020, because they have only continued to rise disproportionately.
I have spoken with many other property owners who are also disgusted with the ‘rates level’ for Greater Shepparton, particularly when compared with properties in other council areas.
Steve Neff
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
Shepparton region is growing, expanding and the population is increasing but the infrastructure services needed to sustain growth are non-existent.
Greater Shepparton in conjunction with local politicians to continue to lobby State and Federal Governments to improve infrastructure funding. To encourage big business to invest in Shepparton region to sustain economic growth and to create employment opportunities for all growth equals prosperity.
What is your position on rates?
Current rate levels are high compared to other regional municipalities. This has caused financial hardship for rate payers. I will advocate for a fix on rates for the next financial year to assist ratepayers to budget their financial obligations.
To cover the shortfall in rate revenue, a review in spending would need to occur to assist in the growth of local businesses.
Shane Sali
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The biggest issue council can address is our disproportional rates. It’s an issue that has been constantly raised with me by members of the community.
From what I have experienced, it appears Council is at financial capacity. As a business owner if your financials are not in order and you do not have margins to offer incentives, how will your business be successful?
What is your position on rates?
Better leverage from our existing and new assets, as well better internal management of funds and process efficiencies will provide council with the best opportunity to deliver better valued rates. This will encourage investment into Greater Shepparton which creates jobs today, tomorrow and into the future.
Fern Summer
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton that can be addressed by Council?
The biggest issue facing Greater Shepparton is a lack of councillor leadership.
Candidates are voted in by the public to keep the chief executive officer accountable. Instead, elected officials kowtow to expensive tenders and policies driven by the organisation and are out of touch with community expectations.
We need strong councillors, who are willing to ask tough questions, stand up to the chief executive officer and speak for the people in our community.
What are your views on rubbish collection?
Council’s waste management service has evolved into a complex user-pays business model that discourages recycling and encourages rubbish dumping.
I moved to trial free tip days, which was a resounding success and demonstrated a strong need in our community for more accessible waste services. I’m pleased candidates have already pledged support for hard rubbish collections or tip-tickets and look forward to making this a reality.
