Key Policies

Clean and Tidy Streets

I am so proud of where we live, and I want our streets to reflect and embody this pride. I’ll fight to:

· Ensure roads, streets and footpaths are maintained – proper footpaths are better for those in wheelchairs or with prams, while roads without potholes are safer and both look better

· Develop an action plan on rubbish, with more public bins emptied more regularly, stop buck passing between state government and council on problem rubbish spots and make sure streets are clean when rubbish gets picked up.

· Support and encourage residents to clean up their front yards and do things with their nature strips, while doing more roadside tree planting where appropriate

Better Parks and Open Spaces

We are blessed with so many big parks and open spaces, and while it’s been great to see some upgrades over the past few years there is a long way to go. I want to see:

· Council deliver on the promised upgrades at Lohse/Woods Street park, and the Alma Ave shopping precinct, and uplift the Aviation precinct

· More regular and transparent mowing schedules for our parks, and maintenance schedules for council assets

· Ongoing investment in upgrades for the wide variety of parks, sporting fields and open space, and look at what can be done along the rail corridor space.

Upgraded Dog Parks

There are two designated off lead dog areas in the ward, but both completely lack facilities. We deserve proper facilities for our four legged friends. I’ll fight for:

· Fenced in areas for big and small dogs

· Multiple poo bag spots, making it easier for dog owners and less likely others have to step in it

· Water taps and public dog bowls, and things like agility equipment and easy car load/unload spots for elderly dogs

A Fair Share for our Suburbs

Whether its funding for services like the library or local events, major projects or the delivery of services, I’ll fight to ensure Laverton and Altona Meadows get our fair share and it doesn’t all go to Williamstown and the eastern end. This includes:

· A fair share of the investment in major projects – deliver on the Altona Meadows Aquatic Centre without abandoning the Laverton Pool, and make sure into the future there are more major projects and investments in our suburbs.

· A fair share of the money spent on sporting clubs, grants for local community groups, and support for local businesses

· Making sure our basic services and facilities are maintained and upkept the same as any suburb in Hobsons Bay

Supporting our environment

· More trees, to bring our suburbs up to the same level of foliage cover as the rest of Hobsons Bay and prevent the urban heat problems that come with low tree coverage.

· Make sure we protect and celebrate the biodiversity of our wetlands and creeks, and support the community groups that play their part in this.

· Ensure Council puts in place plans now, to protect and rejuvenate former industrial sites as they close down over the coming years and make sure the polluters play (or pay for) their part.