South Barwon candidates face the voters

CANDIDATES trying to win the state seat of South Barwon faced some of their voters at an election forum last month.

Torquay Commerce and Tourism and the 3228 Residents Association jointly organised the event, which was held at the Grant Pavilion in Torquay North.

Liberal incumbent Andrew Katos, Labor candidate Darren Cheeseman, independent candidate Damien Cole, Animal Justice Party candidate Peter Oseckas, and Greens candidate Marian Smedley came to the forum, which ran for two hours and attracted a crowd of about 40 people.

Issues raised by the crowd from across the electorate included the recent IPCC report on climate change, height limits, internet access in schools, jobs of the future, fracking, and the influence of developers.

Mr Katos and Mr Cheeseman sparred a couple of times over their respective parties’ history of planning policy regarding development in the Spring Creek valley.

Mr Cheeseman said this election was about the future that Torquay people wanted for their community.

“If you want Duffields Road as our legislated town boundary, vote accordingly.”

Mr Katos said he was surprised at the lack of questions about the need for infrastructure.

“There are people who are here and now in Torquay, so we have to provide that infrastructure for all those residents, whether it’s schools, roads, sporting facilities or community facilities.”

Both major parties will be watching South Barwon – which stretches from the Barwon River in Highton to the northern edge of Anglesea – closely at this election, as Mr Katos’ margin of just under three per cent makes it the third-most marginal Liberal National seat.

Anyone else who wants to throw their hat in the ring in South Barwon (or anywhere else) can do so, as nominations for candidates opened yesterday (Wednesday, October 31).

For more information about being a candidate, head to vec.vic.gov.au/CandidatesAndParties.