Meet your Bellarine candidates

THE field of candidates is set, and voters should check the mail for their ballot packs for the City of Greater Geelong elections from later this week.

Returning officer Colin Riley is encouraging people to vote as early as possible.

“With the whole election being conducted by post, it’s incredibly important voters complete and return their ballot material as soon as possible to make sure their vote counts,” he said.

The Bellarine Times sent a questionnaire to all 13 candidates in the Bellarine Ward, and their responses (in ballot draw order) are published in the following pages. Naomi Adams, who was drawn at the top of the ballot, was the only candidate not to respond.

Ballot papers must be in the mail or hand-delivered to the election office by 6pm on October 27 or they cannot be counted.

Voters who haven’t received their ballot pack for the election by next Wednesday (October 18) should phone 8619 1421 during business hours to arrange a replacement.

Answers have been edited for length – to read the candidate’s full responses, head to the Bellarine Times Facebook page.

Petra Goerschel

Resides: Leopold.
Occupation: Rewiring.
How long have you lived in your ward? Two years.
Community involvement? I am involved with Good Shepherd Microfinancing and Women in Community Life Advisory Committee.
Political allegiance? None.
Preferences? Currently still in discussions regarding preferences.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? I am self-funded.
Most important issues in your ward? Critical monitoring of planning and development of the Bellarine region. Protection of the natural assets of the Bellarine and the well managed tourism potential. Traffic congestion in Drysdale, Portarlington Rd Drysdale bypass planning delays, Barwon Heads Road challenges and access to public transport, north – south, across the Bellarine. Drysdale tip, how it is being used, as well as of the impact of the tip on natural waterways. The rapidness of change, with population growth and the “throw away” culture of modern society, and its unseen consequences. Advocating with state and federal governments to get support services for the health and wellbeing of the community.

Trent Sullivan

Resides: Tower Road, Portarlington.
Occupation: Real estate and student.
How long have you lived in your ward? Lived here for over a year and have worked here for four years.
Community involvement? I am involved in multiple local political activist branches and hold events to help raise money for local charities.
Political allegiance? Member of the Liberal party, president of the Geelong Region Young Liberals, president of the Deakin University Liberal Club and executive of the Liberal Party Bellarine State Electoral Conference. I do not believe in drawing party lines in council, we need a cohesive and functional council that transcends party allegiance.
Preferences? Up to the individual as to where to direct their own votes.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? My campaign budget is made up of my own resources and donations from friends and family. Receiving no financial support from any group or party.
Most important issues in your ward? Getting council back to the basics: Increasing support and opportunities to local businesses and hard-working families alike. Tackling rate rises, which are at an all-time high.

Stephanie Asher

Resides: Ocean Grove.
Occupation: Company director and published author.
How long have you lived in your ward? 18 years.
Community involvement? Vice-president of Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club and director of Kids Plus Foundation. Previously committee member of Ocean Grove Community Association, Ocean Grove Pre-school, Ocean Grove Primary School Apple Fair and a director of Ocean Grove Connected Communities, Bethany, Committee for Geelong and Barwon Region Waste Management Group. Second in both direct elections for Geelong mayor.
Political allegiance? None. Preferences? I encourage people to vote 1 Stephanie Asher then put in order whoever they think is best suited.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? Approximately $2000. No.
Most important issues in your ward? Managing population growth and housing development to prevent urban sprawl. Delivering quality infrastructure and services to ratepayers. Simplifying council processes and addressing inconsistencies, particularly in planning.

Tom Roe

Resides: Connewarre.
Occupation: Investment banker and land economist.
How long have you lived in your ward? 15 years.
Community involvement? Chair of the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) Geelong Chapter. Heavily engaged with the Geelong administrators and Council’s co-ordinating executive leadership team assisting with the development of the region’s 30 vision, A Clever and Creative Future, as a key industry partner.
Political allegiance? None. I have been a member of the Liberal Party, but left in early 2016.
Preferences? No one.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? About $25,000, which has primarily been used to prepare a uplan to help stimulate discussion for the city’s future and build capacity to attract infrastructure investment from the State and Federal Governments, as well as the private sector. No financial support from any group.
Most important issues in your ward? In my view, the number one priority is the need for a whole of municipality unified strategy in a form consistent with the aspirational goals expressed in A Clever and Creative Future.

Art Sims

Resides: Wallington.
Occupation: Area Business Manager
How long have you lived in your ward? I was born in Geelong, and I have lived in both Wallington and Clifton Springs, for over 12 years in total (I have also lived in Geelong and Lara previously for over 20 years).
Community involvement? Bellarine Landcare member, and a member of Geelong Wine Growers. I have a five-year project with CCMA, for the protection of local wetlands. Active member of the GFC.
Political allegiance? I am independent and have no political allegiances.
Preferences? Not answered.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? My budget is $564; I have no financial support or backing.
Most important issues in your ward? I am passionate about providing a safer, healthier community environment, especially for the young and elderly. Roads in the Bellarine need repairing – Better roads for all, including rural communities. Transport networks need to be noninvasive. We need to look at more efficient connections to Melbourne. Urban growth is inevitable, but it needs to be sensible and strategic. I am passionate about the conservation of our beaches, rivers and wetlands. The Bellarine is made up of many small towns – basic services need to be maintained and upgraded. Tourism needs to be improved and provide a positive impact in the region.

Stephen McGain

Resides: Ocean Grove.
Occupation: Science tutor at the University of Melbourne and a lifeguard in Geelong.
How long have you lived in your ward? I have lived in the Bellarine Peninsula for nearly 20 years
Community involvement? Actively involved in a variety of community organisations including the Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale Community Enterprise, Estuary Watch Barwon Heads, and local land care. Also been involved with several Bellarine Peninsula sporting clubs and hosted a voluntary radio program focused on connecting science and the community.
Political allegiance? I am a Greens endorsed candidate.
Preferences? I will not be making any preference deals.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? I am funded by donations. Total funding budget expected to be around $1,000.
Most important issues in your ward? As the Bellarine Peninsula continues to grow, I see a necessity to develop a strategic and sustainable plan for the future needs of businesses and the community. I take seriously the responsibility of transparency in governance to help shape and create a community that will be able to be enjoyed by all future generations. Key issues include inclusive and sustainable planning to manage a growing population, and improved public transport and bike paths.

Denis O’Bryan

Resides: St Leonards.
Occupation: Bushfire management consultant, specialising in forest fires and community self protection.
How long have you lived in your ward? Three years.
Community involvement? Low level in local community organisations to date, due to working around the state. More local focus now.
Political allegiance? To the people. Over the years, I have had allegiance to the party that is best for the people of Australia at the time. I now support low debt, small government, private enterprise. Liberal, Portarlington Branch.
Preferences? Nobody. People will choose wisely. I will demand whoever they choose must work well together to deliver maximum value to Bellarine ratepayers and ratepayers in other wards.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? Low. I am focusing on maximum personal contact with people in each area that have strong views about council issues. I am setting up a reference group that, if elected, will continue after election to keep council on track. No.
Most important issues in your ward? Urgently catch up from years of budget neglect – maintenance and new works. Regular guaranteed minimum $1 million capital improvements per year in each Bellarine town. Council budget spread fairly – Bellarine should get a quarter. Give Bellarine ratepayers a strong voice at the council table.

John Van Beveren

Resides: Portarlington.
Occupation: Lawyer.
How long have you lived in your ward? Five years
Community involvement? I am member of a local business chapter in BNI.
Political allegiance? I have been a member of the Liberal party.
Preferences? Art Sims and Denis O’Bryan.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? $1,000 of personal funds and no further financial support.
Most important issues in your ward? I will work hard and provide a voice for the ratepayers and residents on the Bellarine Peninsula. All residents in the Greater Geelong region are entitled to have high standards and expectations of their Council and be provided with the services and infrastructure to match. Maintaining roads, footpaths, drainage, and sporting and community facilities should be imperative to the role of council. On complex issues, I will fight for decisions to be made in consultation with our community, that are balanced and inclusive. The Bellarine Ward is a significant contributor to the City of Greater Geelong and we deserve our fair share! Elect John Van Beveren to ensure we have the representation we deserve! My family lives on the peninsula, our children attend school here, and I provide legal advice and services to many people and businesses across the Geelong region.

Jim Mason

Resides: Marcus Hill.
Occupation: Retired humanitarian operations strategic planner and manager, with background in international relations, engineering, teaching and farming.
How long have you lived in your ward? Childhood and adolescence – 20 years, many visits “home”, recently, since 2006 – 11 years.
Community involvement? President Bellarine Landcare Group Inc. Friends of Mannerim Memorial Indigenous Garden. COGG Community Rail Trail Advisory Committee. COGG Drysdale Landfill Reference Group.
Political allegiance? Member of ALP (Portarlington Branch) – have not sought or obtained endorsement to run. I will always think and act independently in the best interests of the residents and ratepayers of the Bellarine ward first, then COGG generally.
Preferences? 2nd Anne Brackley, 3rd Stephen McGain, 4th Petra Goershel.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? $15,000. I have not received financial support from any group.
Most important issues in your ward? Good governance. Lack of confidence in council – Bellarine Voters feel poorly served. Poorly controlled development. Pressure on natural environment. Poor maintenance of some roads, drains and footpaths.

Anne Elizabeth Brackley

Resides: Drysdale.
Occupation: Co-ordinator, SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre.
How long have you lived in your ward? My whole life, 59 years, but my family has lived on the Bellarine for 149 years.
Community involvement? 41 years Guide Leader, Secretary Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association, Community Member Potato Shed Committee, Board Member Geelong Local Learning and Employment Network, Director Drysdale Bowling Club, Board Member Geelong Cemeteries Trust, Committee Member Bellarine Aged Care Association
Political allegiance? No allegiance.
Preferences? Jim Mason and Petra Georschel.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? I am funding my campaign with my savings, I have not received any financial support.
Most important issues in your ward? Most issues revolve around the fluctuating seasonal populations, and issues related to being located within or next to population growth areas. Most people owish to preserve the Village atmosphere, which makes us special, and the green spaces between our villages while welcoming tourists who add to our economic sustainability. Advocating for infrastructure commensurate with the growth.

Stewart Webb

Resides: Ocean Grove.
Occupation: Office manager/accountant.
How long have you lived in your ward? 22 years.
Community involvement? Previously served on committees in football, sailing and lawn bowls.
Political allegiance? Independent. I am not a member of any political party, nor have l ever been.
Preferences? 2nd Art Sims, then number the rest of the boxes appropriately
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? $500.00 (there is not a zero missing there either). No
Most important issues in your ward? Good governance: Without effective leadership in governance being practised by this ward’s Councillors, any issues pertaining to this ward will not meet the highest standards in community engagement, policy and delivery. Improvements to Infrastructure: especially in growth areas and that these structural elements do not continue to run a poor second to new housing developments. This improved infrastructure must be sustainably designed, built and operated so as to improve functionality, but not diminish the uniqueness of the Bellarine Peninsula. Responsible spending: to ensure that the revenue raised from your rates is spent in an economically responsible manner, and that residents receive their fair share of benefits.

Lindsay Ellis

Resides: Portarlington
Occupation: Retired. I am currently on leave of absence from Lisa Neville’s electoral office where I was employed for my extensive knowledge of the Bellarine and IT skills.
How long have you lived in your ward? 45 years
Community involvement? Member of many community groups (PCA, PBDA) and organisations, sporting clubs.
Political allegiance? None.
Preferences? Not committed.
Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? Very little and all mine. No.
Most important issues in your ward? Ageing population, transport, coastal/rural environment, inappropriate planning.