As the former MP for Deakin from 2007-2013 I worked closely with Maroondah to fund Community projects like Aquanation, the Soccer and Boxing pavilion at Jubilee park and the AG Lavis Baseball pavilion in Heathmont. They face an uncertain future, as evidenced by the horrendous bushfires over summer. $2.3m increased investment on footpaths across the municipality, reviewed, updated and introduced the Disability Policy and Action Plan for 2019-2021, $2.7m Coopersmith Pavilion at East Ringwood Reserve including the Chin Community Hub, new Maroondah Golf Strategy, Dog Park at Eastfield reserve, Annual Maroondah Kindergarten Expo and much more. I volunteer locally. The outcomes of the recent Maroondah Neighbourhood Character Study Review can help inform VCAT decisions into the future, but I suspect through continued advocacy to state government, Council can make the case for improvements to residential zoning. To represent your community, its important to be active in it. 20875, Footpath Construction - Contract No. For too long, our town center has been neglected and permitted to become rundown. Over the years I have served on numerous government committees and on the committees of the Ringwood and Croydon Chambers of Commerce, Maroondah HomeBiz, National Council of National Seniors Australia, the board of Life Activities Clubs Victoria and the Maroondah Photographic Society. In my experience, protections are working to the degree that they need to be. Please Vote 1 Neil Rose. Vote 1 for Andrew Schafer for Yarrunga Ward. To get in touch, call 0438633193 or email Vote1 VeronicaStevens@gmail.com. Its these small everyday interactions which have shaped the place we call home. Tarralla and Maroondah for that matter are part of a rich ecosystem that needs to be protected for future generations to come. Hi, Im Veronica. 21001, Receipt and sort recyclables - contract no. Remember to fill in all the boxes on your ballot paper to make sure your vote counts. Current councillors Barngeong Ward GRAHAM, Marijke Bungalook Ward DIB, Tony Jubilee Ward SYMON, Mike McAlpin Ward STOJANOVIC, Suzanne Tarralla Ward MACDONALD, Paul Wicklow Ward DAMANTE, Tasa Wombolano Ward SPEARS, Kylie Wonga Ward HANCOCK, Linda ( by-election results) Yarrunga Ward About me: I am a management graduate working in the financial sector I have been living in Maroondah for the last 9 years with my wife and a 7-year-old son. December 4, 2023. Type a minimum of three characters then press UP or DOWN on the keyboard to navigate the autocompleted search results. What most innovative action would you like the council to make in response to local environmental issues? Let me tell you about myself. Deputy Mayor Maroondah City Council 2019-20. I am not a member of any political party, nor am I a career politician. Vote 1 for Veronica Stevens for McAlpin Ward. The election results were declared by the VEC on Tuesday 22 March, 2022, with Cr Linda Hancock elected to represent the Wonga Ward. I will continue advocating for the Croydon level crossing removal. Elections in your area | Electoral Commission In fact, Ive lived in our community for 58 years. My family and I have lived in South Croydon since I joined the Victoria Police Force in 1975. I will listen to residents without prejudice and help solve community issues, so we can have a better place for our families to live and work. Post-COVID, our council needs to shift its focus to better support residents and small businesses. Contact me at therealvoiceofmaroondah@gmail.comMob: 0468 959 131facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TasaDamante. I strongly believe in serving our community by collaborating and consulting with the community and working towards resolving needs and issues facing them. I am always looking for ideas that are as ambitious as possible when it comes to environmental action. For the best website experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser. At the moment, all available green space and play space at schools are being taken up by relocatable classrooms, leaving only passive play areas for students to socialise and move around. Crow Kid: Lemony S Puppet theatre performances and puppet-making workshops. Labor doubles Coalition funding promise for Maroondah Hospital, to be Last election councillors promised to save the former South Croydon school site for public open space, yet four years on we still have no answer whether the site will be saved for open space or sold to a developer to turn into a large housing estate. As a councillor, I will prioritise the provision of quality services and fight for secure employment that is accessible to all. My first priority is to freeze 2021 rate increases and offer 12-month deferral of rate payments for proven hardship. Better protections for canopy trees and open space in private spaces?e. Transition Towns Maroondah: Questionnaire ResponsesWhere do you find your information on Climate Change?Environmental groups, friends, Scientific American, documentaries many places.What most innovative action would you like the council to make in response to local environmental issues?Implement as many draw down principles as possible, but also invest in renewable energy farms as an income stream.What environmental issues in Maroondah do you regard as needing strong action now?Water quality in our creeks and ponds. I have a wide range of professional exposure and have advocated for; human rights issues, education reforms, health and wellbeing initiatives, supporting sporting clubs and organisations. With the ongoing challenge of Council planning decisions being contested and declining outcomes for revegetation and canopy in the private realm, do you have any other suggestions for improving outcomes.Improving our planning control. I have been a resident in Maroondah for over 35 years and live in Heathmont with my wife Cheryl and our two daughters. However, the golf course makes a profit now, so why change it now, or is the council looking to sell the surplus land to a developer for a housing estate? Question 6. If elected, Ill get straight to work. I look forward to representing you in council and providing a clear and balanced voice that reflects the views of our wonderful local community. by admin | Oct 8, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments. Councillors and wards - Maroondah City Council Ill work with the community and town planners to ensure minimal congestion to our suburbs. Improved protections for residents against inappropriate developmentb. All of this done in an engaging, open and respectful environment. I understand business, technology and community. Our elderly have been treated as disposable lately. With the ongoing challenge of Council planning decisions being contested and declining outcomes for revegetation and canopy in the private realm, do you have any other suggestions for improving outcomes.Increasing penalties for non-compliance might be a start, but I think we need to also take a restorative justice approach. And better representation at VCAT hearings. The Reformed Residential Zones (State Planning Scheme) were enacted in 2014. You have a strong voice and each vote matters. Ballot packs have been posted, you simply need to vote numbering each box, and posting back. We need councillors that care more about the community rather than visions of grandeur. More than ever we need representation on council that will listen to the community and ensure that the council during this difficult period, provides the essential services and support that we all expect. I will work to save the leafy environment of our city and limit overdevelopment, keep Dorset Golf Course intact, maintain Eastfield Park and not relocate the Croydon Outdoor Pool but relocate some services back to Croydon. It would be an honour to represent you on the Maroondah City Council. Vote 1 Peter Salloum and vote 2 Les Willmott, then other candidates in your order of choice. Im married to a policewoman, together, we understand community safety. The results of that sees the soon to be constructed multi-deck commuter car park at Croydon Station, the redevelopment of Dorset Road between Maroondah Highway & Hull Road and a significant number of sporting & community facility upgrades. As a parent myself, I am seeing that many young families are needing additional support right now, and as we emerge from COVID, there is going to be a real need to support the mental and physical health and wellbeing of our children and young people, who have been disconnected from education, play and recreation with friends and family. 20974, Road and drainage upgrades - contract no. We need a council that is ready to do things differently, is responsive to, and consults with the community to put the needs of ratepayers first. I will fight to protect our public open space and ensure that the South Croydon Primary School site and Dorset Golf Course remain in community hands and are not sold to developers. Together we will build a stronger Maroondah. Why or why not? As a member of the Eastern Transport Coalition, I would nominate public transport connectivity and serviceability, which includes improvements to service routes, timetabling, disability access, commuter parking, and passenger safety. If Elected; I will make the Council more accountable when deciding to spend ratepayers money. I will make our neighbourhood safer and cleaner. We need to keep protecting and enhancing our leafy-green environment with strategic tree planting and refusals of inappropriate developments. The events of this year have inspired me to take the plunge and stand for election. Protecting our leafy green environment and stopping inappropriate development. Hit your fitness goals in time for Run Maroondah. 20972, Pavilion redevelopment - contract no. Council adopts 2022/23 Budget with $51.69m investment in capital works projects. Ill fight for the following issues: Development in youth, open parks and sports grounds; Upgrading the South Croydon Football Club Pavilion; Keep vacant land at the old Croydon South primary school in community hands; Reject any inappropriate developments that lead to an increase in traffic congestions; Fund the enhancement of Tarralla creek with a shared pass for bike tracks and an underground water storage system; Ensure the Dorset golf course remains an 18 hole course; Improve community services for the elderly; Oppose any further development of Eastfield Park by private developers; Responsible financial management, with no rate increases for the next financial year to help ease the burden on local families; Genuinely consult residents on planning issues. Why or why not?Yes. Make Change - Celebrating Reconciliation Week in Maroondah. The rate and size of development in Croydon is increasing. Why or why not?No. Encourage and support resident groups to achieve landscape outcomes that fulfill neighbourhood objectives.e. Whilst many services are of high standards, our Council can always do better. 20897, Notice of the Preparation of an Amendment - Amendment C116, Notice of Tender - Flood Mitigation Works - Contract No. This is why I supported Maroondahs Climate Change Risk and Adaptation Strategy, Vegetation Strategy 2020- 2030, and Children and Families Strategy during my time on Council. So, weve collated their campaign statements and responses from a TTM survey. First elected to Local Government in 2016. We need to manage council finances carefully over the next few years. Its possible an extensive public education campaign could help, and even improved surveillance or inspections of certain properties identified as having significant vegetation (especially native vegetation) coverage requiring protection. There are elections in England on 4 May 2023. What do you believe are the top three issues for Maroondah in the next four years? I believe that it is important to work with other levels of government for better results in all matters facing our community.