{"id":71677,"date":"2020-10-10T05:26:42","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T19:26:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/?p=71677"},"modified":"2020-10-10T08:17:55","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T22:17:55","slug":"gps-elections-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/news\/gps-elections-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden Plains Shire council elections 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

All our reporting on the Golden Plains Shire council elections set for October 2020.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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Forum links candidates with voters<\/strong><\/p>\n

BY EDWINA WILLIAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n

GOLDEN Plains Shire council election candidates took part in a forum facilitated by the Golden Plains Times<\/em> on Monday evening.<\/p>\n

Gavin Gamble, Tim Harrop, Cameron Steele, Brett Cunningham, Greg Nyary, Clayton Whitfield, Ian Getsom, Cr Les Rowe, Cr Owen Sharkey, Cr Joanne Gilbert, Cr Helena Kirby and Cr Nathan Hansford, appeared live.<\/p>\n

Streaming on Facebook, with candidates gathering on Zoom, each person had two minutes to introduce themselves and what they\u2019re advocating for, a chance to answer submitted questions from residents and a minute at the end to sum up their case.<\/p>\n

\"\"The first question asked of candidates surrounded their opinions on the Midland Highway in Batesford, and the community\u2019s bypass proposal made to the State Government.<\/p>\n

Cr Sharkey said he put forward a motion at a past council meeting to say the highway route through Batesford was not a preferred option of the Shire.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stand by the motion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Steele said a decision needs to be made that respects the Batesford area\u2019s waterways and wildlife.<\/p>\n

Cr Rowe said the decision will probably lie with the State, but an elected Shire council is there to support the people of Batesford.<\/p>\n

Another question was asked about public transport between towns, specifically Bannockburn.<\/p>\n

Mr Gamble said he would like to consult with the community, and see if there is a \u201creasonably economic need\u201d for more public transport due to cost, as well as safe infrastructure for other modes of transport like electric bikes.<\/p>\n

Cr Gilbert said the Shire could lobby with bus companies in Geelong to help students travel around the Shire.<\/p>\n

When asked about rate cuts and sourcing funds for projects elsewhere, Mr Nyary said \u201cwe need to reduce employee costs\u201d in house.<\/p>\n

All candidates, bar one, were present at the forum. Mr Getsom and Cr Hansford experienced some technical difficulties during some of their opportunities to speak.<\/p>\n

Andrea Mahon was absent as she was unwell and had lost her voice.<\/p>\n