It appears there is a total misrepresentation of me out there in the wilds of Sugarloaf Ward, that I am not advocating strongly enough on behalf of rural landholders - the ability to reasonably enjoy and manage our properties and the recognition of the important contribution our maintained land makes to the local environment.
This could not be further from the truth! I am confident that no other candidate in Sugarloaf Ward has done more to champion small property landholders in Nillumbik to date than myself.
We live in vibrant rural communities, where all the usual 'country' activities should be celebrated and supported. So, for example, the keeping of grazing animals for pleasure or self-sufficient living, growing crops, orchards or vines and hay cutting etc. (and the infrastructure necessary for these rural activities), should be considered the norm and not be potentially undermined or challenged in some areas by council planning processes like the current amendments. Many rural residents have clearly demonstrated their concerns and opposition to these.
We all live with great awareness of the risk of bushfire. The ability to keep our properties well managed to reduce the threat of fire is also a reasonable expectation. So should be the reassurance by council, that in the unfortunate incidence of people losing their homes in a fire, that they can choose whether or not to rebuild in the same location. Amendment C81 has placed this in significant doubt, which is causing residents great anxiety.
If elected to council, I will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of all landholders who want to reasonably enjoy the lifestyle choices (whether on larger farms or smaller properties) that they have worked hard to achieve.
Equally, I am proud of my own efforts over many years to help preserve our beautiful Green Wedge environment that we love and are all so fortunate to call home. This is a legacy that not only underpins our 'rich' experience, but ensures its integrity for the future. If people think this makes me 'too green', then I welcome them to try Doreen or Mernda for size (no offence intended).
In the end, I feel that living where we do has to be about a sensible balance and ensuring that the council and the broader rural community are pretty much on the same page - this takes compromise, respectful partnership and an element of trust. Our Green Wedge is not sustainable without the significant individual efforts and investment of rural landholders like you and I, so putting us off-side only runs the risk of undermining its future. No one I know would want this.
We need a council which will genuinely work with landholders, not choose an adversarial approach - we have already seen how this has served to fracture our community. The opportunity for change is now and I believe that I am the candidate with the broad understanding, depth of experience, commitment and ability to build a cohesive, productive working relationship between council and the rural community to achieve that balance for all - people and the environment.
