THE SIX QUESTIONS ASKED OF CANDIDATES
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- Under what circumstances would you support the council seeking a rate rise above the cap?
- Do you want mountain bike racing continuing at Hunchback Hill?
- Is the 20km/h shared zone in High St something you support?
- Do you think councillors, apart from the mayor, should be free to speak to the media?
- Do you think the tourist information centre should be relocated and if so, where should it be located?
- What does the council need to spend more money on and where should it be saving?
DANNY LOWE (Number 1)
Q1. Under exceptional circumstances, where there has been a thorough community consultation. It would need to be for a detailed 10-year plus plan that what was for the betterment for the community for years to come. Not just to pay off something bought on a whim or a project that has no long-term benefit.
Q2. Yes, it is a great community facility that could be used for an event to attract visitors to Wodonga to sleep in our motels, eat in our pubs and shop in our stores.
Q3. No. Q4. Yes.
Q5. Yes, explore the options to relocate into the council building or information pods at Junction Place. As more and more people research online we need to investigate the size and technology we need for our information centre.
Q6. It should spend money to lobby for state and federal funding to help those in the disability, health and disadvantaged sectors. Council should spend more on maintaining the infrastructure we have, infrastructure that serves the broader community sporting fields etc. Savings to be made from operational costs.
GEOFFREY BUTT (number 2)
Q1. I am supportive of keeping rate increases to 2-3% with or without rate capping, however, I would support increases above that if money was invested in infrastructure.
Q2. Yes, from discussions with mountain bike riders I've had, MTB riders do excellent work in helping keep Hunchback Hill clean and Huon Hill isn’t as suitable.
Q3. No, council might as well build it’s own Bourke St Mall.
Q4. Yes, but only on point of relevance.
Q5. Yes, the building it used to be in on the Lincoln Causeway was, is, excellent for it.
Q6. Council should give greater priority to infrastructure and business development, but could save and make use of money through adoption of technology where appropriate.
ANT PACKER (number 3)
Q1. I advocate for operating within council's means and ensuring rates are fair.
Q2. Yes. Some mountain bike trails across all hills would take pressure off Hunchback Hill and support small businesses through visitation.
Q3. I would listen to and be guided by High Street businesses.
Q4. Councillors are part of a team. I support the captain (mayor) being spokesperson.
Q5. I would listen to and be guided by tourism businesses. The trend across Australia has been falling numbers of visitors to information centres with more visitors planning online. I support the TIC being co-located with other services or a business.
Q6. In conversations with residents, key priorities raised include road maintenance, footpaths, disability-friendly road crossings; sports infrastructure and attracting a more diversified industry. Savings in costs through LED / solar lighting, water wise plants in our streets/parks and no more High Street roadworks.
BEN CLIFTON (number 4)
Q1. I wouldn't.
Q2. The Wodonga hills should be available for all of the community to enjoy. Any activation needs to be done without negative environmental outcomes.
Q3. No
Q4. Everybody is free to speak to the media to give their personal opinion on any matter. That is a right enjoyed by all Australians; however the mayor is the spokesperson for the council, elected to do so by its members. Therefore is the only one to speak on behalf of the council.
Q5. No. I’m not sure the current site is easily accessible to those that might use it the most ie, vehicles with caravans. Locations should be discussed with stakeholders.
Q6. My input into the financial strategy would focus on debt reduction. However spending would focus on asset building and infrastructure improvements, sculptures moved considerably down the priority list. Ratepayer-funded “research” trips would be under much further scrutiny under a council that I would be a member of.
GALVIN DUNLOP (number 5)
Q1. Currently rates are extremely high in Wodonga and to stop further rate increases council needs to reduce its debt. This will be my first priority if elected.
Q2. Yes, however we need to reassess the hilltops mountain project. Further community consultation needs to be adopted.
Q3. Yes and no. I agree to the concept of a shared zone but I would personally want to speak to all business to get their opinions. I would also be interested in how the road works would be carried out to minimise disruption to businesses.
Q4. Yes. If there are certain issues that people seek answers for they should approach their elected councillors. All councillors should adopt an open-door policy.
Q5. The tourist information centre should be relocated to an area that provides adequate parking for cars, RV’s and caravans.
Q6. The council needs to reduce its overheads and should be investing in projects that assist local businesses and encourages new businesses to the area..
VERONIQUE JANEL (number 6)
Q1. No, council has to start living within its means, find cost savings in operations and do a better job at securing external funding.
Q2. Legality of park to be confirmed first, then low-impact only, no large-scale MTB racing, no expansion of current network.
Q3. No, it is only going to send customers shopping elsewhere (sentiment shared by most traders and users).
Q4. Yes, community needs to know what they are thinking as individuals not just as a group.
Q5. Yes, suggest to put it next to Petstock on Smythe Street with better signage and suitable parking for caravans.
Q6. Council should not spend more money, it should fund core services first and well (roads, garbage, parks, footpaths, facilities maintenance, enforcement and other local government responsibilities) find savings in non-core areas and cut waste (overseas trips, sculptures).
DAVID JOHNSTON (number 7)
Q1. Without being privy to intricate budget detail, I can’t see a single reason why rates have to rise above CPI in the short-term. Ratepayers are saying loud and clear they want some rate pain relief and it’s time they were heard.
Q2. I’m all for mountain bike riding and its associated health benefits, but the real question is has proper process been followed? The fact a stop to further works on Hunchback has been ordered by the relevant department says to me something is not right.
Q3. Not at this point. High Street businesses are concerned enough about more pending roadworks and don’t need an additional headache. Wait until Manns and Woolworths are completed before re-visiting the trial.
Q4. Absolutely.
Q5. The present site was a poor choice due to access issues for those who use and need it most – visitors often travelling in motorhomes. Another more suitable, economically viable site in CBD has to be found.
Q6. As someone involved with junior sport, Wodonga doesn’t have enough sportsgrounds which is limiting the growth of sports and placing extra pressure on existing grounds. No function of council is beyond identifying cost-saving measures.
PETER SMITH (number 8)
Q1. Only in exceptional circumstances. No frivolous projects.
Q2. Everything should stop. We need more information and consultation.
Q3. No. This exercise in attempted social engineering needs review. Let us see how the community reacts when the Woolworths and Manns are completed.
Q4. This is certainly a matter that suggests a lack of consultation with the community. Until such time as a vote is taken and adopted in an open council meeting, every councillor should have the right to free opinions and speech.
Q5. The current location in Hovell Street is a joke. The obvious site would be unoccupied land in the Junction Place area. With RV friendly parking and amenities.
Q6. No spending on whimsical projects i.e. the insect art at $30K, support for the elderly to remain in their own homes. Maintain current infrastructure.