Richard Riordan is listening

CRIME, bushfires and housing affordability were all on the agenda when Member for Polwarth, Richard Riordan, held his latest community engagement meeting.

The ‘Listening Post’ meetings in Winchelsea and Anglesea are part of Mr Riordan’s community engagement activities where he aims to meet with as many people as possible from the electorate.

With the Liberal Party holding just 21 seats of a possible 88 seats in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, listening will be essential for the party to be competitive at the next election.

“Listening Posts give me an invaluable opportunity to have real time conversations and I look forward to more opportunities to meet with constituents as I travel around the electorate,” Mr Riordan said.

“It’s always a delight to meet face-to-face with locals, they have the most valuable insights and can share a wide range of local knowledge
with me.”

At the most recent meeting, the recurring issues of planning and bushfire preparedness were raised.

Housing affordability and the associated labour shortages were also hot topics.

“It was interesting to hear the many concerns and opinions about issues that affect Anglesea residents and visitors including the Eden Development, bushfire preparations, housing affordability, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCPA) and the developing crisis in labour shortage for our coastal communities,” Mr Riordan said.

He said police numbers and law and order were other matters of concern.

“The Winchelsea community is facing a serious shortage of active police members which is leaving locals feeling vulnerable and I will be contacting the Minister for Police to immediately rectify this situation,” Mr Riordan said.

“A fast-growing town like Winchelsea also needs better planning for schools, water supply and pressure and the design and implementation of townscapes.

“I meet regularly with Surf Coast Shire council and I will be presenting these concerns on behalf of the residents.”