South Ward – Moreland Council 2020 election candidate responses on climate

September 15, 2020 at 2:33 am Leave a comment

Brunswick Residents Network MorelandVotes Candidates Forum

Candidates

For South ward 3 Councillors are to be elected, from 15 candidates. See VEC Moreland City Council 2020 Nominations (link). The following is the list of candidates that have so far declared. We will link all candidate responses sent to us and indicate if candidates are aligned with any political party. (See Moreland Council 2020 Election Index)

Ballot packs will be mailed to enrolled citizens between 6-8 October. Ballots need to be returned postmarked before 6pm 23 October. Candidates are listed below by surname alphabetically. They will be listed in a different order on the ballot paper. (See VEC nominations)

ANDREWARTHA, Jacob (Sue Bolton Community IND)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
BREIER, Helen (ALP)(Climate Survey)(Website | FB)
CONLAN, James (Greens)(Climate Survey)(Website | FB)
DURKACZ, Robert (Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
DURRANT, John (IND)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
EVANS, Shea (IND)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
GALVIN, Pauline (Sue Bolton Community IND)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
GEORGIOU, George (IND)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
JACKSON, Shirley (ALP)(No Response)(Website | FB)
JIMENEZ, Nahui (Victorian Socialists)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
PAYNE, Rachel (Reason Party)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
*RILEY, Mark (Greens)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)
*TAPINOS, Lambros (ALP)(Climate Survey)(Website | FB)
TARABY, Sultan (IND)(Response) (Website | FB)
YUAN, Mel (IND)(Climate Survey) (Website | FB)

* – an asterisk before name signifies a current councillor standing for re-election. If a candidate has no information after their name it may indicate they did not provide email contact details to the VEC or failed to respond to our survey. If a candidate has no party affiliation or (IND) after their name, it indicates we could find no declared information whether they were running as an independant or otherwise. At time of publishing some candidates had no public candidate Facebook page or website.

South Ward Climate and Sustainability Election Forum

Brunswick Residents Network organised an online Forum to meet candidates for South Ward and ask them questions.
on Tuesday 6 October. The Forum was livestreamed to Brunswick Residents Network Facebook Page.

 

Candidates in attendance:
ANDREWARTHA, Jacob (Sue Bolton Team)
BREIER, Helen (Labor)
CONLAN, James (Greens)
DURKACZ, Robert (IND)
DURRANT, John (IND)
EVANS, Shea (IND)
GALVIN, Pauline (Sue Bolton Team)
GEORGIOU, George (IND)
JACKSON, Shirley (Labor)
JIMENEZ, Nahui (Victorian Socialists)
PAYNE, Rachel (Reason Party)
RILEY, Mark (Greens)
TAPINOS, Lambros (Labor)
YUAN, Mel (IND)

Candidate Failed to attend:
TARABY, Sultan (IND)

Climate Survey of all candidates

Climate Action Moreland has been informing the citizens of Moreland on candidate climate positions for the last decade. We are joined by Neighbours United for Climate Action and Brunswick Residents Network in organising online meet the candidate forums for each ward for the Moreland Council election 2020.

We asked that candidates for Moreland Council fill in the survey and we undertook to publish the results in the election campaign. There are 22 questions, many of them locally focussed on climate action and sustainability, many requiring quite a thoughtful response. The first 6 questions focussed on Candidate details, campaign funding, existing connections in Moreland, and political affiliation. Question 7 to 20 focussed on climate issues. Questioon 21 asked what their 4 main priorities would be. Question 22 was for any other general comments or comments on climate leadership.

You can read each candidate’s full response or read their comment responses to specific questions below.

The candidates that responded to the survey: (Click on the candidate name for their full response)

1 Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 10/2/2020 5:04 PM
2 Melissa Yuan (IND) 10/1/2020 9:16 PM
3 Shea Evans (IND) 10/1/2020 3:49 PM
4 Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists) 9/30/2020 8:30 PM
5 Rachel Payne (Reason Party) 9/30/2020 4:50 PM
6 Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 9/30/2020 12:37 PM
7 Mark Riley (Greens) 9/28/2020 8:57 PM
8 James Conlan (Greens) 9/28/2020 9:45 AM
9 Helen Breier (Labor) 9/28/2020 8:23 AM
10 John Durrant (IND) 9/27/2020 2:19 PM
11 George Georgiou (IND) 9/24/2020 12:49 PM
12 Robert Durkacz (IND) 9/24/2020 3:35 AM
13 Lambros Tapinos (Labor) 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Find below comment responses to specific questions:

Q4 If you are receiving campaign funding for this election, who are you receiving funding from? (list all or state ‘None’) Answered: 8 Skipped: 0

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Socialist Alliance, Electrical Trades Union and United Fire Fighters Union have supported the team, there have been small personal donations. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): gf.me/u/yzqt6q GoFundMe (friends & family) 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): None 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): I’m receiving funding from the Victorian Socialists, as well as from donations from residents and supporters. I am not taking any donations from property developers or other harmful industries. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I have a modest budget for corflutes, flyer printing and a social media budget provided by Reason Party. This budget was received through member donations and fundraising. To
date I have spent less than $1000 and I think that will probably be my total budget. I have not recieved any large donations. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Electrical Trades Union and Socialist Alliance and then small individual donations from candidates and supporters. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): Greens candidates receive funding from locals donating to the campaign and from statewide party funds. The Greens, unlike other parties, don’t take donations from big property
developers or pokies interests. Donations of $1500 or more are publicly declared as well. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): Greens candidates receive funding from locals donating to the campaign and from statewide party funds. The Greens unlike other parties, don’t take donations from big property developers or pokies interests. Donations of $1500 or more are publicly declared as well. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): general community fundraising Non cash support from Vic Labor: ie
design;mentoring;training 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): None. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): None 9/24/2020 12:49 PM
Robert Durkacz (IND): none 9/24/2020 3:35 AM
Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Labor Party 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q7 Triple bottom line accounting brings to account three domains that we need for a good life. They are economic, environmental and social which includes health. Do you commit as a Councillor for Council to use triple bottom line accounting on all Council infrastructure projects and will you try to ensure that climate emergency is embedded in every Manager’s performance plan?
Answered: 13 Skipped: 0

Q8 Transport: Upfield Rail Upgrade – Problems with parking and traffic congestion, capacity issues of public transport (once the pandemic passes) necessitate solutions for upgrading the Upfield Line. According to Infrastructure Australia, the northern region Transport Corridor will reach and exceed capacity in the next decade. Will you support duplication and extension of the Upfield rail line to Craigieburn and Wallan for provision of a more reliable and frequent rail service catering for the growing population in Moreland and residents in new growth suburbs further north?
Answered: 13 Skipped: 0

Q9 Transport: Tram Network Extension: As a Councillor will you support ongoing advocacy for the Victorian State Government to extend the No 58 West Coburg Tram along Derby street in Pascoe Vale, and No 19 North Coburg tram routes further north along Sydney Road to Campbellfield?
Answered: 13 Skipped: 0

Q10. Transport: Mode shift – What actions will you be pushing for to facilitate a mode shift to more sustainable modes of transport in Moreland as part of, or beyond, Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy (MITS), including changes to parking restrictions, increasing public transport advocacy, cycling and walking infrastructure?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): In order to facilitate mode shift it is critical that sustainable alternatives are available, attractive and safe. We need analysis based prioritisation of transport infrastructure that addresses current identified risks, and which identifies barriers to use of active transport modes. We need to adopt a strategic approach to public transport advocacy for the Northern Region. Moreland should be doing investigative work to identify barriers to take up of public transport by groups at risk of transport poverty, ie young people, young families and those on restricted incomes, such as pensioners and the unemployed. Moreland needs to strengthen the requirements on developers to be accountable for transport safety impacts of their developments. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): I would like to see a thorough review of the Infrastructure plans and priorities for the next term of Council. These should also be subject to a “scorecard” review which assesses their contribution to sustainable development. Apart from recent controversies around parking, there is broad community consensus on sustainable transport. What seems to be lacking is implementation. In terms of the State Government, I am advocating a Mayor for the duration of the next term of Council to ensure consistent and sustained lobbying. Many infrastructure and transport projects Moreland cannot do alone; buy-in is essential. It is likely that Federal and State government economic stimulus will include additional funds for infrastructure – we need to be in the box seat to take advantage of this. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): Safety and connectivity are the two big issues that MITS need to solve. Safety for all road users, which would then increase cycling and walking. This safety comes in a few forms, from upgrading current paths and walkways and including better design in future plans. Better access to Public Transport and better infrastructure would allow more people to utilise public transport for inter-suburban travel. Council should be using MITS and other expert opinions to come up with better solutions on how people can get around Moreland. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): Council must campaign for the extension of both the 19 and 58 tram lines, as well as the duplication and extension of the Upfield line to increase transport options for people who live, or need to travel, north of Bell St, where public transport options are limited. Council should also campaign for increased, more reliable, bus services, particularly east west busses. We need free, fast, and reliable public transport. Improving cycling infrastructure is also crucial – I’m concerned that some proposed developments, such as the Bunnings development on Glenlyon Rd, will disrupt existing bike paths and routes, making cycling less safe in the area. There should be extensive community consultation before any changes are made to parking restrictions. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I will lobby the State Govt to improve transport for Moreland residents by (1) pushing for an extension of the Upfield train-line to Craigieburn and Wallan (2) push for more trains more often on the Upfield line.

As someone who commutes into the city the trains don’t come frequently enough (on the Upfield line). There should be solid investment and commitment to upgrading the Upfield bike path – better lighting and widening to make it safer and more accessible to more bike-riders. I don’t agree with the idea of a ‘bike superhighway’ down Sydney Rd – this doesn’t encourage a mentality to stop and shop or eat at a restaurant and would kill business on Sydney Rd. There are better places to offer bike paths that would be safer and more accessible.

I will advocate for an extension of the 19 tram line. The more public transport is on offer to all of Moreland and beyond the less cars will be on the road as it will be quicker for commuting.

I will be pushing for Moreland to reuse and recycle tyres for urban use, through innovative technologies. Bike paths, walking tracks and low-traffic roads can be created using recycled/repurposed tyres. This is much cooler than asphalt/concrete, environmentally sustainable and reduced landfill (50M tyres a year go into landfill) and is also naturally irrigating as water flows through. This creates a safer alternative to concrete as water will irrigate and is low-impact.

I’m also advocating for a Street Safety for Women campaign to encourage street safety for women when walking in Moreland, particularly at night. This would be a education campaign as well as a ‘neighbourhood watch’ app that would provide added safety. Many women in Moreland, myself included, feel unsafe at night and this needs to stop. I walk everywhere at night and often don’t feel safe. Council could do so much in this space to educate community, encourage community engagement and support women.

I also think the limited parking for residents in new, high density living needs to be reviewed. It seems that the community overwhelmingly doesn’t feel this is working and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to get around without using a car, but telling people you can’t have a car is not working. Many two-person households may have one car between them and only use it on weekends to go to regional Victoria for example. I think this policy should be reviewed and the onus should be on the developer to plan for enough car spaces to accommodate these residents. I’m not saying a car park per person but something realistic that ensures cars aren’t being parked on the street or in council car parks. I also feel that this reduction in parking is also in developments outside of activity areas and needs to be reviewed.

I do agree with parking limits and think it should be space only used for those stopping and shopping (i.e. 1-2 hours).

I would also like to see some of the streets that are treated as peak-hour thoroughfares such as Albion St reviewed to slow down drivers and get them back onto the main roads like Moreland. Hopefully the rail overpass will see less congestion on these routes. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): If elected I’ll push for solutions that have the biggest impact on reducing car usage which include advocating for increased public transport availability, safe cycling paths, pedestrian safety and the proximity of shops and parks. International experience shows that when public transport frequency increases, people begin to opt for it and leave cars behind. When public transport increases in frequency and span of hours, people do use it and leave cars behind. That is the international experience. Cars only got entrenched in western society when public transport got destroyed. A huge amount of public transport was destroyed in Australia in order to force people to buy cars and become reliant on cars.

The opportunities raised by this pandemic is there has being a trend of a massive increase in people cycling is that we need to increase the council budget for safe cycling paths, both making current cycling paths safer, and constructing new cycling paths.

Sue Bolton Moreland Team are strongly committed to finishing the Craigieburn shared path, building the missing link in the Upfield shared path between Box Forest Rd and the M80, creating a Fawkner shimmy and building the Glenroy to Coburg bike route. Moreland Council needs to step up in it’s advocacy around public transport, rather than just cheering it’s current output of public transport which is clearly not enough to serve the needs of all Moreland residents. The Upfield line must be duplicated with increased frequency at peak hour and throughout the day and night on both train lines. The Route 19 tram line should be extended to Campbellfield. The Route 58 tram line should be extended to Boundary road, all bus routes should be in sync with train routes from the first train to the last train.

There is also a need
to install more seats and shelters at bus stops to encourage bus use. All bus routes need to operate at night and throughout the weekend. There is also a need to install more seats and shelters at bus stops to encourage bus use. The tram routes need to have an increased frequency during the daytime and at night to alleviate overcrowding. There also needs to be more pedestrian crossings, especially on busy roads so that people feel safe to walk around their neighbourhoods. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): Ensuring that the MITS is implemented, the Parking Plan is also implemented and built upon. Resisting the attacks from the parking/private car lobby and to prioritise pedestrians and cycling options, whilst maintaining open dialogue with the community. Continuing to advocate for a higher proportion of funding for pedestrian and biking infrastructure. The Greens Councillors lead the push to doubling the per head spending on bike and pedestrian infrastructure in this current Council term. The Greens will work to keep this momentum up, especially in the COVID pandemic period, where local open spaces and social distancing are such high priorities for communities as we manage our way through COVID. The Greens on Council will push to double the investment in active transport per head of the population in the next term. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): Addressing the climate emergency will require us to radically change the way we move around our cities. While it is the state government who funds, plans and manages the public transport system, councils own approximately 90% of the road network. Thus, councils can significantly influence the transition towards active and sustainable transport by making our local streets safer and more attractive to walk and cycle.

That’s why I’m committed to significantly increasing the cycling and walking budgets if elected to council. I’m also committed to ensuring that the walking and cycling projects committed to in council’s own capital works plans are actually built. Too often it’s cycling and walking projects that are delayed or cancelled.

I will ensure the council staff deliver the projects committed to in their own plans. I’m also committed to quieter, safer streets by allocating more space for walking and cycling, where appropriate, and in close consultation with locals. While the state government controls the state-wide public transport network, councils can and should play a vital role in broader public transport advocacy. Moreland Council played a crucial role in the campaign to stop the East West Link by using its platform to elevate the issue.

I would use my position on council to work with local community transport advocacy groups like the Upfield Transport Alliance, Moreland Bicycle User Group, Walk on Moreland, and Moreland Community for Action on Transport in delivering improvements to public transport services. I would also use my position on council to continue the campaign for protected bike lanes on Sydney Road. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): 10. Moreland supports sustainable modes of transport advocacy and increase but does not support the MITS as it is a punitive approach which is not inclusive of a diverse community and penalises those who are less able. The MITS sets sustainable transport options in competition with eachother and is and will have long term detimental impacts on our urban amenity. In fact it discriminates against members of our community and those from other communities who contribute to ours through work or commerce. Carbon footprint should not be measured on the contribution of one sector but rather as a wholistic approach . 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): I will advocate for increased funding for continuous cycle paths around Moreland, improved footpaths and zebra crossing. This will also stimulate local works to support a COVID recovery. For developments, I will ensure sufficient bicycle parking is implemented. I will undertake a survey of parking usage by zero-parking developments. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): Make Active Transport a bigger priority in Moreland’s budget and look for new revenue sources to fund an expanded 10-year cycling plan. Charge for short term parking across the city, (MCC owned car parks and major retail streets), but only on the condition that every cent generated goes towards active transport. I believe Sydney Rd would better accommodate our demands if parking was replaced with wider footpaths and dedicated cycling lanes, (option 3). I believe the retailers would also benefit from this as well. Convert 25% of all MCC owned car parks into open space and include active transport connections where there are destinations to link on either end of the new space. By reducing parking at our major local destinations, short trips become inconvenient with the car and people eventually switch their short trips to walking and cycling. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): revive MITS process 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Increases public transport, cycling and walking improvements 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q11. Heat Vulnerability: Large sections of Moreland’s north are at the extreme end of the Heat Vulnerability Index, meaning residents are very susceptible to global warming. What will you do to address this beyond exisiting policies, including Moreland Urban Heat Island Effect Action Plan (Word Doc 48MB), Moreland Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2017 (PDF 9MB), Cooling the Upfield Corridor Action Plan?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Moreland Council has recently done extensive work developing a number of Action Plans that contain many innovative ideas and approaches. This work is to be commended. The critical thing is to ensure that implementation of these plans and strategies occurs and are evaluated in order to ensure that Moreland is moving towards our stated desired outcomes. UHIE is a key indicator of the outcomes of a wide range of environmental policy stances that Moreland Council has adopted over the last few years, including Climate Emergency and Zero Carbon Moreland strategies. Monitoring the UHIE will give insight into the effectiveness of those strategies, and thus should have a high priority in evaluation and benchmarking. Incorporate UHIE performance metrics into Council Departmental performance indicators, PLUS they will be a key performance metric of the Climate Emergency Integration Officer. These metrics should be based not only on environmental standards achieved , they should be checked against social vulnerability factors. One factor that needs to happen is for people vulnerable to UHI effects to be identified by health authorities in order to ensure that people can be checked in with, and assistance rendered in the event of a catastrophic heat wave. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): Existing policies are all well and good, but they must be implemented with action. If these strategies are still being implemented, then there must be regular and consistent evaluation of: – the ongoing relevance of high-level objectives – tracking of actions including whether initiatives are funded or not, and – if the actions resulted in the expected benefits We need to make sure we do what we say; measure the outcome; and this will lead us to the next set of actions to take. It is important that these strategies are reviewed with key stakeholders, especially those in the community, to assess buy-in and progress. What are the barriers? Failures? Achievements? How will we adjust this strategy to make it more successful next time. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): Greater green coverage is the key to cooling our urban areas. Greening incentives and regulations around what is built in Moreland needs to be put in place to make sure that new developments are following best practice. However the Council could create a lot more green corridors and provide the plants needed to make it happen. Community education about the how individuals and organisations can help with this should also be a priority of Council as well. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): Limited vegetation is a key contributor, meaning Council should rapidly increase vegetation projects, including mature aged trees which can have an immediate impact. Council should reduce the felling of mature trees in the area. The loss of mature trees in Gandolfo Gardens, and other spots along the Upfield line, was a terrible outcome for urban cooling and biodiversity in Moreland. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I most definitely support all plans to reduce urban heat in Moreland. As someone who previously lived in Coburg (and now in Brunswick) during a heat wave, I have experienced first hand how intense this heat is. Council should be doing more to replace concrete and asphalt with innovative and heat reducing alternatives and creating more green space. I will be pushing for Moreland to reuse and recycle tyres for urban use, through innovative technologies. Melbourne Uni has been doing some impressive work on creating urban paths that can be used for footpaths, cycling tracks, car parks and low-volume roads. They are made out of old tyres and provide natural irrigation for trees, stop water pooling and are cooler than conventional concrete paths. Plus it is recycling old waste. I think Moreland Council should jump at the chance to get onboard with this opportunity. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Moreland Council has done work developing a number of Action Plans that contain many approaches. These plans must be implemented however they should also go beyond their existing policies considering the nature of the Climate Crisis. Sue Bolton Moreland team argues that one way of addressing heat vulnerability is to significantly increase tree canopy in Moreland, specifically in the hottest areas that are primarily in the Northern part of the municipality, for example while Moreland Council is committed to planting 5000 street trees each year, there needs to be a bigger allocation for maintenance. Planning laws should be strengthened to force developers to plant more vegetation, and prevent situations where mature trees get ripped out of gardens when houses get demolished to make room for developments. More work needs to be done on recording and preserving significant trees on private land. Moreland Council should be playing a stronger role in advocating to protect urban habitats, there needs to be increased shading of playgrounds with planning to ensure that playgrounds that don’t have much shade to increase the planting of trees. There is also a need to install more public water fountains in key locations across Moreland to deal with heat vulnerability. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): As Greens councillors, we’ll be advocating to push Council investment in assisting the community to access options that can reduce ecological footprint/emissions. Also, improving education and behaviour change. Three new Moreland Council staff have recently been employed to implement the overarching Moreland Zero Carbon: Climate Emergency strategy. The City’s goal is zero community emissions by 2040. In order to achieve this goal, working with the community, industry and other governments, is essential. Monitoring these policies/strategies listed above is a key part of addressing existing policy implementation. Exploring the research and evidence, the science, and the climate sector’s advice on how to make a real difference as a local government, is critical to be an effective Councillor or group of Councillors. We are hoping to have a strong Greens presence to collaborate with and effect change and pivot for new initiatives. It’s important to be leapfrogging old technologies and boldly exploring new renewable technologies to demonstrate to the community how we can make change and provide hope. At the heart of Greens initiatives is ensuring that reducing, re-using, repairing and recycling is at the core of Council’s work. Some more specifics are as follows: Exploring initiatives like micro grids and community energy initiatives too. Tackling the major issue re transport emissions and the transformation needed there. Giving greater import to ensure permeable open space is given greater weight in urban planning applications. The Greens have led the initiative for a new Environmentally Sustainable Design 2.0 tool kit for the planning scheme. Working with CASBE and other Councils to lobby the Local Government Minister to improve the low standards currently being used in new buildings. Lobbying the federal government re its building code, to improve the standards and ensure they are more ‘climate proof’ for current buildings and the next generation. Identifying resources to enable much needed trials to lead and test the way ahead in new initiatives to reduce the heat island effect. Increased funding to educate and promote behaviour change to address the problem too. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): As a former town planner with a specialisation in urban green infrastructure, I am highly committed to addressing our municipality’s poor performance in the Heat Vulnerability Index. In line with Greens my colleagues, I am committed to reducing Moreland’s susceptibility to the urban heat island effect, particularly in the north, through a range of interventions at council’s disposal. The Urban Forest Strategy highlights that it’s not enough to simply plant more trees – we need to choose the right trees for the right places, and above all, we need a comprehensive maintenance strategy and budget to ensure our trees survive, especially in a warmer climate. It’s also clear that, even with Moreland Council’s proactive tree planting initiatives, tree canopy will decline over the next few decades due to infill development. Even if council achieves its canopy goals outlined in its urban forest and urban heat strategies, these gains will be lost unless private tree destruction is addressed.

That’s why I’m committed to advocating for stronger statutory tree protection under the Moreland Planning Scheme. Increasing our city’s resilience to climate change and the urban heat island effect will also require improvements to our public infrastructure, like more shading, water fountains and water sensitive urban design. Also, making our buildings more energy efficient is a crucial way to not only reduce our buildings’ energy consumption, but also to improve the health and wellbeing of residents, especially vulnerable residents in more disadvantaged postcodes. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): 11. We are extremely supportive of these plans and believe they should be extended and developed further. In addition there are other measures that could be developed including alternative energy options. 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): I support implementation of the Plan. I remain open to conducting a review of its outcomes and success to ensure it is ambitious and practical. I will advocate for increased greenery, laneway gardens, reclaiming of industrial space (or creating mixed uses) and community gardens development across all Moreland. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): Trees! Lots and lots of trees! We need to continue planting the 5000 trees a year but we also need to grow and protect our existing canopy and I don’t believe we do a very good job of that. We need a plan for every tree in Moreland, one that not only plants, but also grows, protects, supports and educates. My trees flyer which you can find on my Facebook page goes into more specific things we can do to help trees cool down our local environment. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

12 Robert Durkacz (IND): Come on, there are lot hotter places than Moreland. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Implement the actions from the above policies and plant more trees with large canopy 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q12. Waste Management. Moreland aims to be a leading council in sustainable waste management, yet its rate of diverting waste to organics and recycling sits just above the state average. What will you do to help Moreland in the rollout of the Food and Garden Organics Collection Service, and achieve Moreland’s 2030 zero waste to landfill target as part of Zero Carbon in the Planning Scheme – ESD Policy v2.0?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): A critical approach to effective implementation of strategies such as the Food and Garden Organics Collection Service is to identify barriers to take-up. Council should undertake work to identify which segments of the Community are finding compliance difficult (or are finding that this strategy has no relevance for them). When such groups are identified, strategies particularly involving peer groups, to remove obstacles or increase relevance can be undertaken. Moreland has capacity to work with other municipalities and appropriate bodies to identify opportunities to improve waste diversion and resource reclamation. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): Again, success here lies in the implementation. I would like to see a more nuanced examination of people’s behaviour and what the barriers to diverting from landfill are. Probably some marketing segmentation is needed in terms of housing type, location, socio-economic demographics to better understand those who do, and don’t compost/ recycle. Undifferentiated marketing messages are probably not effective with certain segments, i.e. flat dwellers with no access to a compost bin and commercial waste collection with no recycling facilities. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): More community education needs to happen around the organics collection, as well as more community waste collection sites. These don’t have to be large transfer stations, they can be neighbourhood compost collection points. And furthermore more to recycling, there should also be more education and collections points for e-waste and textile waste. These are huge contributors to landfill and and whilst I believe the community want to do the right thing, having no where convenient to dispose of these products means they end up in landfill. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): The food and organics waste collection service should not be an opt-in service. Bins should be provided to all residents without question to encourage ease of use. Council can increase use of hydrogen waste collection vehicles as well can assist in reducing emissions. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I will be advocating for an audit on current recycling practices and cost effectiveness. This will include looking into effectiveness, proposed bin system changes and what can be improved. The results will inform a targeted education program to promote understanding and accountability. I’d also like to see real solutions to soft plastics recycling and app-food delivery waste.

(1) An audit on current recycling processes and cost. Targeted education program : promoting understanding and accountability.

(2) Real solutions to soft plastics recycling and app-food delivery waste.

(3) A review of the responsibilities of private contractors or body corporate recycling requirements for high-density residential areas.

(4) A targeted education campaign on household waste and recycling, further promoting the green waste bin and encouraging accountability of all of community. I will also be pushing for more bins and recycling stations in public and green spaces, with Council ensuring these are tended to everyday. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): A issue with recycling is that we have a situation where different recycling companies have different rules on what can be recycled. Councils should work with real estate agents to inform tenants of the rules around waste, recycling and food & organics collections. Conditions should be attached to planning permits to ensure that developers do their constructions in a way that provides space for green bins for organic waste, food and composting. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): The waste strategy is sadly behind where it was planned to be at by now. This is for a number of reasons. It has frustrated Greens Councillors and disappointed us too. The plan now is to roll out the new FOGO (food and garden organics) collection service by early 2022. This is not meeting community expectations, when other Councils have done this already in 2020. The change includes reducing landfill bin pick ups to a fortnightly regime, with FOGO pick up being weekly. The need to include a new glass bin option (Vic Government has finally taken a bold measure by 2023!) is also being factored into this rollout plan. The one advantage with this delay is that it will enable greater engagement and increased likelihood of much needed education and behaviour change which we hope will see a marked improvement in compliance (ie, not contaminating bins with the incorrect items)! The City opposes any burning of pyrolisation of waste. I will push the City to meet the current deadline, or to do that sooner. It was to have been achieved in this Council term, so it’s been very disappointing to miss this goal. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): Having worked in the recycling industry, I’m highly cognisant of our collective waste problem. I’ll work to fast-track the implementation of the currently-delayed waste strategy, particularly the FOGO collection service. This must be a priority given that organics make up around 35% of the waste in kerbside landfill bins, causing unnecessary landfill and emissions. I will work constructively with other councillors in fastracking the implementation of FOGO, and work with communities to build public support and ensure the broader municipality is educated on the issue. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): 12. We support this goal but again believe it requires community education and support to include the diverse needs and capabilities of our community. The Food and Garden organics collection Service may need more regular collection to ensure hygiene issues are complied with particularly in the summer months 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): I support increasing investment, especially as a COVID stimulus, for zero waste and renewable-energy initiatives. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): I fully support the zero-carbon scheme and this is an area I will be investing more time in if elected but at this stage I can’t add anything new to this until I look at the existing initiatives in more detail. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): I think it is a good question and I am interested in any proposals. I don’t have any proposals of my own. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Invest in circular economy and promote Recycling 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q13. Energy Efficiency and Renewables. Moreland has a goal of “Efficient and 100% renewably powered energy”. Yet Moreland has one of Victoria’s lowest uptake of solar PV. How can Moreland “walk the talk” on renewable energy and meet the community goals set in the Zero Carbon Moreland – Climate Emergency Action Plan 2020/21 – 2024/25?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Work with social/community housing to provide rooftop solar via grants or community support schemes for residents who would most benefit from smaller energy bills and are least able to afford solar panels. Work with CALD community groups to identify barriers to solar panel uptake. Work to provide social/community housing with energy efficiency upgrades including insulation installation and loan schemes to replace energy hungry appliances with more efficient ones. Work with all residents via information, education and low interest loans to replace energy hungry appliances with more efficient ones. Work with schools to get and update solar panels. Continue with bulk solar purchases to help residents get easy access to solar panels Work to take part in another community solar farm, or wind farm to provide affordable renewable energy for Moreland Team with groups like EarthWorker who manufacture heat pump water heaters in Victoria. Make low/no interest loans to residents that can be paid back with savings from lower energy bills. Work to encourage landlords to provide solar panels on rental properties 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): 50% of Brunswick residents rent (see my recent post on this). Energy efficiency needs to be a greater focus for those who simply cannot install solar panels on their rental house. ESD standards give developers some incentive for solar, but naturally developers ‘game’ these standards to maximise their profit and focus on sustainability features that have marketing benefits. Green Power energy products also play an important role for renters, so greater awareness would assist and the uptake of these products might give a better indication of community efforts for energy efficiency. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): This must be closely monitored and considered an important aspect in the new Councils plan for 2021-2025. Setting aggressive targets and bringing the community along for the journey is what it required. Both residents and business both have to do their share in this regard, so any incentives that Council can create to make have those targets met needs to happen. Its not enough for Council to sit back and hope that individuals and organisations change their habits, there needs to be harsher penalties for targets that are not met and great reward for those that do meet targets. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): The majority of South Ward residents are renters, this is undoubtedly a barrier to installing solar PV. Landlords and developers are keen to spend as little as possible on rental properties, maximising their profits. Council should continue to support public and low income housing residents to access solar PV, including advocating on behalf of renters where necessary. Council owned and operated facilities should continue to be upgraded to be as energy efficient as possible. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): Moreland City Council has a good track record of being proactive when it comes to the climate crisis, including the Zero Carbon Moreland Framework 2040 ensuring zero carbon emissions and 100% renewable energy timeframes. However more could be more done for residents to gain access to renewable energy, so I will be advocating for a council-led Solar Panel Scheme. Essentially, this would see residential households provided access to solar panel energy. Installation would be paid for by council and then rate-payers can pay this back, interest-free, through annual rates over a set period of time. Currently, Moreland City Council has an initiative similar that is only available to commercial businesses and organisations. It is paid for by investment and returns dividends. Other councils have run with a similar proposal to provide solar access to residents. A scheme like this can be targeted towards lower income households, renters, or pensioners. This would allow even the most financially vulnerable in Moreland to afford solar, and could be key to lowering the cost of living in a recession and difficult recovery period, and add value to the property. So while Moreland Council currently offers plenty of avenues for advice and quotes, they only offer payment schemes for businesses and organisations. Paying for residents solar panels, and then having them pay it off through rate increases without interest is the next logical step. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Moreland Council can play a role in working with different organisations to facilitate a increase in rooftop solar such as social/community housing organisations, CALD community groups, schools, groups such as Earthworker. However beyond such solutions the council needs to phase out the use of gas for the heating of swimming pools that it runs.

It must continue pushing for protection of solar panels in the planning schemes. And Moreland council should act to investigate a range of schemes to improve the uptake of solar panels, one example could be community solar projects which can give access to energy savings, enterprise bargaining agreements for workers to include access to solar panels. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): The Council Plan was to use the Energy Upgrade Agreements (EUAs) facility, that businesses have had access to for many years, for private residents. However, the Victorian Government needed to amend the state laws to facilitate this. These changes only occurred in early 2020, so Council has been constrained by this. The good news is that Council has now allocated funding for low income households to access thermal efficiency improvements/upgrades and solar installations in the July 2020/21 budget. The newly employed officers will facilitate these initiatives along with the Australian Energy Foundation (AEF – formerly MEFL which has been a leader in this space at local government level for many years). While this is not nearly enough, it has started, and we expect the new Council will be in a stronger position (COVID recession, notwithstanding) to increase the uptake and options for residents, be they owners or renters. The Council is working collaboratively with local community groups to support them in their work to educate the community and support residents that wish to make changes big or small. The Moreland Good Climate Network (established after the catastrophic fires of 2019/20) is a great example of what the community and Council can do collaboratively. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): I currently work as a community campaigner to improve the energy efficiency of our homes, plus renewables uptake, so I fully appreciate the need to increase renewables uptake and reduce energy demand through energy efficiency measures. I’m particularly interested in the decarbonisation and democratisation of energy through community-owned and controlled renewable energy. If elected to council, I would explore and help deliver community energy projects, like solar gardens and micro-grids. Such projects could be delivered by partnering with community groups and other councils. Moreland Council currently has funding allocated to assist vulnerable households with energy efficiency upgrades. I would support the extension and expansion of such projects. The Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) are currently exploring a municipal energy provider model, which I am also interested in. In short, there are many ways that council could leverage its purchasing power and capacity to pool community resources to deliver transformative renewable energy and efficiency projects, cutting climate pollution and helping communities take control of their own energy. I believe such projects will require close, constructive, working relationships between council and community groups, which I look forward to forging during my time on council, if elected. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): 13. We absolutely support this goal in our policy working towards a carbon neutral community. There needs to be more support in terms of information and mentoring in addition to consideration of the varying concerns. Design and passive solar is able to have a significant impact in reducing emissions. 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): Two levers for Council to pull; cost can be managed by introduction of rates-subsidies for energy efficiency ratings of dwellings and business, and increased rigour around new-development requirements. Moreland must also transition away from international carbon credits. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): Not sure at this stage but very much in favor of a 100% renewably powered energy target. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): Action at a national level is more important. I direct my efforts there. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Develop solar and thermal grants to support low income household install solar. Protect solar panels in planning applications and promote solar to our community working with the Australian Energy Foundation 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q14. Pollution and litter: How will you educate and incentivise business in industrial zones (especially in the North East Ward) to avoid pollution and litter from entering our drains and our creek systems?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Recent changes to EPA legislation move management of chemical risk onto businesses and enterprises. It is important that the Council supports businesses in the best practice management of chemicals and potential pollutants. The Council should develop and have an active relationship with local businesses to assist management. Having an established relationship will help to make identifying instances of pollution and litter easier. The Council officers would then be able to assist businesses in adopting a risk assessment, hazard reduction approach to environmental management. The Council should maintain a community based pollution reporting process that is easy for communities to access.

Council should have a system where random reviews are conducted to assess compliance with waste management guidelines 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): The creek Friends groups do an excellent job of dobbing in cases of pollution on the creeks to the EPA. The EPA must be held accountable for proper enforcement. Additional local laws may be appropriate, but this has the potential to lead to greater confusion or create excuses for polluters. In this case, I would say that the “stick” approach is more relevant than the “carrot”. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): Council recommendations of steps or processes as to how business can stop litter and pollution need to be regulated and incentivised. On the inverse, much more should be done to prosecute those companies that break the law and damage the environment. Publicly known targets and solutions to littering should also drive companies to do the right thing. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): Council must advocate for harsher penalties for businesses who pollute and dump in our waterways. It is not enough for businesses, particularly repeat offenders, to simply be warned against dumping. Toxic fires, like those we’ve seen this year in Campbellfield, also add to industrial pollution in our creeks. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I am still learning about industrial zones and commercial responsibilities in relation to pollution and toxic waste, however as I am with the Reason Party we are about evidence-based, innovative and forward thinking policies. Therefore I would commit to a review of current practices; what accountability do these businesses have in relation to waste and environmental impact? What incentives are currently in place and what can be improved upon? I firmly believe that it has to be a whole of community approach with business taking a role in ensuring they are leading the way in environmental accountability. I feel that consumers are more aware of ethical production and environmental impact and this would also reflect on what businesses and commercial entities they support. There is plenty of work to do in this space. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Planning permits must include conditions in relation to waste and litter. There needs to be stronger regulations to ensure that waste water pumped into our creeks does not include pollutants. Council in their dealings with with businesses such as big box retailers must ensure that their rubbish is secured and does not blow into nearby streets. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): The Greens are keen to see more on-ground signage indicating that what goes down the drain or street, ends up in our waterways and our bay/oceans. People need to know that their actions and inactions have a wider impact. This should be combined with more community education around micro-plastics and their impacts. The Greens are committed to exploring any levers that Council can utilise to incentivise businesses and industries to do the right thing, without relying heavily on punitive measures. We’re keen to hear of any levers Council can use to ‘incentivise’ businesses and industries. If our local laws could be deployed then we’d explore that, but this tends to be punitive, which is not a useful way to effect change. Moreland does not have its own waste recovery site within its boundaries.

The city relies on other Councils to provide this service and on private waste transfer sites.

The federal and state governments have the resources and powers to introduce measures of this size and importance. Land, like Kangan TAFE, is expensive and not part of Councils assets. Were the Vic Government open to a partnership to utilise this facility to support sustainable industries, the Greens would be eager to explore this and support such an outcome, or similar. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): The Greens are keen to see more on-ground signage indicating that what goes down the drain or street, ends up in our waterways and our bay/oceans. People need to know that their actions and inactions have a wider impact. This should be combined with more community education around micro-plastics and their impacts. The Greens are committed to exploring any levers that Council may have to incentivise businesses and industries to do the right thing.We’re keen to hear of any levers Council can use to ‘incentivise’ businesses and industries. If our local laws could be deployed then that should be explored. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): 14. This is a top priority and requires more supervision interaction and support. A self regulatory system is anathema to progress in this area. 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): I intend to clean up Merri Creek by investing in rubbish collection jobs (especially as a stimulus for underemployed residents in COVID), increasing bins and collections, and introducing mesh rubbish catchments over stormwater drains. Businesses can be a key part of delivery and management. There may need to be increased review of local business practices if pollution occurs. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): In the area of litter and dumping, this is something I campaigned for in 2016 and will invest time into if elected. It will have to involve many different groups if we are to see cleaner streets and properties which will lead to a cleaner Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek.

Education is key and we can create education programs for schools and other groups but while we are educating and creating new behavior and habits, we have to give our corridors, creeks and property a big clean. One group I am frustrated with is Moreland City Council and the lack of interest they have in keeping their properties clean of litter. If we are going to clean Moreland of litter with a Moreland City Council initiative then Moreland City Council has to be the first to set an example. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): No proposals of my own. I would start by asking who is supposed to be looking after this (EPA?) and see what they say. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Introduce planning regulations for application which protect pollution from entering the creek system and build more water gardens to capture litter and filter stormwater before flowing into our creeks. 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q15. Supporting business and the environment as part of Covid Recovery
What actions will you take to help Council promote environmentally sustainable jobs as part of a Covid recovery such as by possible development of large abandoned sites for a sustainability hub (such as former Kangan TAFE automotive campus)?
How else will you advocate for supporting small business Covid recovery that includes environmental co-benefits?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): There are a number of Covid recovery programs being mooted by different levels of Government. It is important that the Council keeps fully abreast of these possibilities, and is liaising with local maker groups, businesses, manufacturers and local tertiary research facilities to facilitate opportunities for collaboration. Local small business will require outreach and support to identify opportunities to invigorate local economic possibilities and explore opportunities. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): Ultimately, Council needs to ensure that the conditions are right for new business investment. Relevant infrastructure, local laws, permit systems, etc. should be in place to support new commercial initiatives. Council’s financial investment on initiatives such as a sustainability hub should be dependent on such an initiative’s own business plan. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): Making sure that business has access to fast and reliable support from Council can help
them get back to focusing on their business. Providing assistance around the environmental co-benefits would also help business focus on what they can do in re-opening and generating revenue once again. The reduction of ‘red-tape’ is the thing that business really needs in the wake of covid, so Council should be making it as easy as possible to trade in an environmentally sound way. It also gives us the chance to redesign or try new business practices that benefit the environment as well – such as new business consumables (ie. packaging) new suppliers, use of different workspaces. Local government services and government projects also give local economies a much needed boost. Projects that directly improve the environment or that indirectly employ environmental best practice is. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): Abandoned sites should be used for initiatives such as a sustainability hub. Council should also advocate for the creation of a recycling plant in Moreland, providing jobs in the area – something desperately needed in this period of crisis. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): (1) Innovation and Sustainability: Reason Party is currently liaising with RMIT School of Design academics and researchers to develop co-design studios with students and Moreland Council looking at innovative, low cost, community-based sustainability and social innovation practices and solutions. This will tie into and enhance the Innovative District Model that Moreland Council is already proposing.

(2) Council-led residential solar panel scheme (as discussed at Q. 13) will create more jobs and I will be actively looking into ways that Council can expand the current policies and processes to see more commercial buildings and businesses move to solar energy.

(3) I will be advocating for Council to take a lead role in getting our High Streets popping again through direct support to small business through commercial rent subsidies and creating opportunities for start-up businesses.

Sydney Rd is especially suffering so I would also like to see new ways of encouraging new business (start-ups) into the area, including looking into shared work space as well as re-thinking these commercial spaces for not-for-profits and other community organisations.

Let’s improve on what we have rather than building new. I am still learning about new and innovative ways we can do more for the environment and I am a member of the Australian Conservation Foundation where I am learning more about new building technologies, ways to improve heating and cooling through sealing of buildings and innovations in materials to create more sustainable and viable living. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): I support the development of sustainability hubs and the development of environmentally sustainable jobs, however I don’t believe that the emphasis should be on giving incentives to businesses that implement environmentally-sustainable practices (even if they are supportable in practice) should be the main priorities of Moreland council in terms of advocating for green and sustainable jobs as part of a covid-19 recovery plan, as the Climate crisis demands more than market-based solutions to the crisis. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): At a special Council meeting on 21/9/20 councillors voted to support funding for outdoor dining and related initiatives, including using car spaces and vacant land to facilitate eateries as they re-open, as the virus spread is brought under control. Furthermore: The Victorian Greens are calling on the Vic Government to invest in COVID recovery plans including shopping strip renewals and shopping locally. The Victorian Greens have also called on the Vic Government to invest in 23 new or expanded recycling factories by 2025 to meet the state’s needs and ensure high recycling rates and new jobs. It would be good for Moreland or the region to host one of these recycling factories. Advocating for small businesses to be supported is an easy ask of Council, making it effective and implementable is the challenge. The Greens would be keen to work on and develop such programs and outcomes that provide direct benefits for the community. Without these measures we won’t meet the City’s zero emissions goal by 2040. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): Moreland does not have its own waste recovery site within its boundaries. The city relies on other Councils to provide this service and on private waste transfer sites. The federal and state governments have the resources and powers to introduce measures of this size and importance. Land, like Kangan TAFE, is expensive and not part of Councils assets. Were the Vic Government open to a partnership to utilise this facility to support sustainable industries, the Greens would be eager to explore this and support such an outcome, or similar. At a special Council meeting on 21/9/20 councillors voted to support funding for outdoor dining and related initiatives, including using car spaces and vacant land to facilitate eateries as they re-open, as the virus spread is brought under control. Furthermore: The Victorian Greens are calling on the Vic Government to invest in COVID recovery plans including shopping strip renewals and shopping locally. The Victorian Greens have also called on the Vic Government to invest in 23 new or expanded recycling factories by 2025 to meet the state’s needs and ensure high recycling rates and new jobs. It would be good for Moreland or the region to host one of these recycling factories. Advocating for small businesses to be supported is an easy ask of Council, making it effective and implementable is the challenge. The Greens would be keen to work on and develop such programs and outcomes that provide direct benefits for the community. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): No comment left

John Durrant (IND): My small-business COVID recovery plan includes; targeted rate relief, encouraging the restart of tourism with outdoor events (that must be sustainable), and to accelerate planned works for cycle and foot paths (increasing jobs). I am also keen to work with advocates on environmental co-benefits for my other COVID restart initiatives: investing in COVID-safe infrastructure (hygiene and signage), establishing coworking spaces or microstores, and giving short-term planning concessions to use laneways, roads and other public spaces. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): At this stage I’m not sure but this is an area I want to put more time into, especially looking at large abandoned sites and future use. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): I am interested to hear about any cost-effective ideas that people might have. Until I do hear something, I am not convinced that the council has a special role. And I am not sure there are too many “abandoned” sites. Someone owns them. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Support the vision for an education facility at the former TAFE site focusing on sustainability jobs. 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q16. Food Security
How would you address food security in Moreland beyond the existing Moreland Food System Strategy? (including as a part of the clean Covid recovery)?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): The ongoing Covid-19 issue has illuminated issues with food security all over Melbourne.

Moreland has a Community Development approach to food security,as outlined in the Moreland Food System Strategy. The increased need generated by pandemic needs to be met with increased resources in order to roll out this system beyond the small number of engaged sites. Learnings from this program need to be rolled out to other areas of Moreland, and current sites supported to increase their reach. Community groups interested in Community Development such as religious groups who traditionally would engage in charity would be valuable to engage with. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): The Food System strategy addresses a wide range of social, economic and environmental issues. The relative environmental impacts of various food production systems are debatable. In South Ward, the forces that are driving fewer and fewer people to grow their own food also have their own environmental benefits, i.e. fewer large housing blocks with private green space and more high-density development with shared green space. It could be argued that using land in Brunswick to grow lettuce has far more environmental downside than using that same space for housing that would lower daily commute times for city workers – and the price of land reflects this. Communal food growing spaces in public open space is a worthwhile application for public land, at least for its social and communal benefits. However, transfer of private benefit from public land can be contested and great care should be given to ensure that there are no negative distributive effects, i.e. that more secure home owners get defacto priority over allotments than less secure renters. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): Working with organisations and experts in this field would benefit Moreland on making sure that food security was achieved for everyone living in Moreland. Waste of food also needs to be something that Council makes sure that is covered under any food security strategies. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): I support the establishment of a community food hub in the north of Moreland, and support more council initiatives to provide food to residents going without. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I am still learning what food security entails and ways of addressing this issue, however I have been thinking about ways of re-thinking our urban spaces to allow more community gardens. I would like to see our residential laneways installed with vertical and hanging food gardens. This could be a great council initiative that would encourage innovative designs that would maximise water irrigation (if it is vertical the trickle down effect) and with some good engineering would see food garden canopy’s in laneways so residents could still have car and back-laneway access when needed. With the right kind of pully system this would be something I feel residents would use and contribute to if Council showed the initiative. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): For those who are on low wages or receive centrelink benefits food insecurity is a major issues. In it’s existing policies there are various initiatives for Council to support urban agriculture, however council needs to enact other measures such as establishing food banks to provide food for all who need it. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): The Greens led the work in updating the Food Systems Strategy in the 2016-20 term, under the leadership of Cr Natalie Abboud. Further support for the recently established Northern Food Community Hub is needed, including initiatives in the urban agriculture domain bringing employment and enterprise prospects and other benefits too. The Greens will continue to support and resource the establishment of new community garden spaces and nature stips across the city. Follow up on Cr Dorney’s recent work in the Council chamber to facilitate nature strip and laneway options for greening and food options will also be undertaken. We will also advocate for additional funding of the Moreland Nature Plan to ensure it meets its goals, includes food production and that species are protected and saved. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): The Greens led the work in updating the Food Systems Strategy in the 2016-20 term, under the leadership of Cr Natalie Abboud. Further support for the recently established Northern Food Community Hub, is needed, including initiatives in the urban agriculture domain brining employment and enterprise prospects and other benefits too. The Greens will continue to support and resource the establishment of new community garden spaces and nature strips across the city. Follow up on Cr Dorney’s recent work in the Council chamber to facilitate nature strip and laneway options for greening and food options will also be undertaken. We will also advocate for additional funding of the Moreland Nature Plan to ensure it meets its goals, and that species are protected and saved. Council can also play a role in helping local communities plant out public spaces, like nature strips. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): No comment left.

John Durrant (IND): I will support existing plan and review in further detail. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): Not sure at this stage. If elected, I will look at the Moreland Food System Strategy in more detail and speak to the community groups involved. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): Listen to any cost-effective proposals. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Suppprts farmers markets and community gardens, allow for more food forests and eatables to be planted. 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q17 Food Security. The IPCC Special Report on Land and Climate Change Summary for Policy makers (2020) articulates major emissions reduction can be achieved from adopting a primarily plant based diet (B6.2). Will you advocate for public health policies that promote proper nutrition and dietary change by Moreland residents as per the IPCC (C2.4)?
Answered: 13 Skipped: 0 (candidates were asked to rank this on a scale of 1 to 100.)

1 Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 90 per cent
2 Melissa Yuan (IND) 50 per cent
3 Shea Evans (IND) 50 per cent
4 Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists) 100 per cent
5 Rachel Payne (Reason Party) 85 per cent
6 Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 100 per cent
7 Mark Riley (Greens) 9/28/2020 99 per cent
8 James Conlan (Greens) 9/28/2020 100 per cent
9 Helen Breier (Labor) 9/28/2020 51 per cent
10 John Durrant (IND) 9/27/2020 50 per cent
11 George Georgiou (IND) 9/24/2020 85 per cent
12 Robert Durkacz (IND) 9/24/2020 1 per cent
13 Lambros Tapinos (Labor) 9/19/2020 50 per cent

Q18. Buildings, Biodiversity and Urban cooling: What would you do as a Councillor to ensure that with new building developments, Moreland has sufficient vegetation cover to contribute to biodiversity outcomes and urban cooling beyond exisiting policies in the Urban Forest Strategy, Moreland Nature Plan, and the Achieving Zero Carbon in the Planning Scheme – ESD Policy v2.0 project?

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Existing vegetation, in the form of mature trees should be protected in any building development. Existing vegetation must be planned around and extensive bonds should be extracted to ensure trees are actually protected. Green assets need to be documented and audited, lest trees are preemptively removed before plans are submitted. Green roofs and walls should be encouraged as part of the planning process. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): More needs to be done to implement these strategies and assess the effectiveness of the measure therein. The Urban Forest Strategy’s tree planting targets are unsustainable and there is insufficient priority put on trees for habitat, the Nature Plan is new and has barely begun to be implemented. The effectiveness of the ESD Policy 1.0 should be at the forefront of ESD Policy 2.0. See my recent post about flaws, for example in the BESS. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): Making sure that Council and community set the rules and agenda for any developments, and not allowing the greed for developers to supersede what needs to take place in order to save the community and environment. Making sure that any local ordinances around protection or enhancement of the environment is followed by developers, with penalties for those that do not follow these rules. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): Climate change is a significant threat to biodiversity. Council planning for green spaces should take into account biodiversity needs. Council should also provide funding and support to community groups engaged in crucial biodiversity conservation projects in the area. New building developments should be required through the planning scheme to include sufficient green spaces, including mature trees to assist urban cooling. Developments that do include these spaces should not be approved by council. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I am pushing for a review of the Design Excellence Scorecard as I think so much more could be included in here to ensure greater sustainability and less environmental impact through new technologies. As I am part of Reason Party, we advocate for consultation with key stakeholders and experts to make informed policies and decisions, that are reviewed regularly as new technologies are constantly improving. I would also like to see Moreland Council commit to a zero carbon planning scheme. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Developers need to be forced to plant sufficient vegetation cover to contribute to the urban habitat. This can only happen if the council is successful in lobbying the state government to allow councils to mandate vegetation cover. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): Greens on Council will work to: Ensure more resources are allocated to education for the community regarding the benefits of trees and their cover and the extent of the loss of trees and this impact in the private realm. Advocate for adequate funding of the Moreland Nature Plan to ensure it meets its goals. Ensuring that the ESD Policy 2.0 project is undertaken, monitored and then approved quickly by the Planning Minister, without the usual delays. Continue to promote the nomination of additional trees to the Significant Tree Register. Look to further support the Urban Forest Strategy to meet the targets or stretch (where additional resources can be found). Explore with the community other measures to reach the goals and measures in these policies/strategies. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): Greens on Council will work to: In collaboration with the local community, strongly and publicly advocate to the state government to strengthen the Moreland Planning Scheme’s tree protection and biodiversity requirements. The planning system is currently broken. Council can use its platform to advocate for its improvement. Ensure more resources are allocated to education for the community regarding the benefits of trees and their cover and the extent of the loss of trees and this impact in the private realm. Advocate for adequate funding of the Moreland Nature Plan to ensure it meets its goals. Ensuring that the ESD Policy 2.0 project is undertaken, monitored and then approved quickly by the Planning Minister, without the usual delays. Continue to promote the nomination of additional trees to the Significant Tree Register. Look to further support the Urban Forest Strategy to meet the targets or stretch (where additional resources can be found). Explore with the community other measures to reach the goals and measures in these policies/strategies. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): Absolutely in support of these policies. Passive solar is crucial in design including outside sun deflection and inclusion responding to seasonal changes. Facilities should be provided to be less energy dependent such as alternative clothes drying facility 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): I support a review of town zoning to prevent overdevelopment. If we can stop overdevelopment, our local environment will receive the benefits. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): I think one of the biggest problems we have is the lack of trees on private land. I think we need a new plan for new and existing trees. I think the plan also has to include a strategy for landscaping and maintaining new developments. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): Listen to any sane ideas. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Introduce new planning laws to strengthen these actions in applications. Advocate to the planning minister for the adoption of these new planning laws. 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Q19 Cement Emissions. Use of Portland Cement contributes to 8% of global emissions. Alternative low emissions/zero emission cement products are available at reasonably competitive rates. Will you commit to amending Moreland Council Procurement policy sustainability filter to purchase low carbon/zero emissions cement/concrete products?
Answered: 13 Skipped: 0

Robert Durkacz was the only candidate response to strongly Disagree.

Q20 Climate Citizen Assemblies: Under the new Local Government Act 2020 (community engagement policy), all councils in Victoria are required to use deliberative practices for the development of their Community Vision, Council Plan, Financial Plan and Asset Plan, at the bare minimum. The gold standard of this kind of democratic, deliberative practice is a Citizens’ Assembly. So, will you support such a democratic framework for Council’s climate emergency response by establishing a Citizens’ Assembly?
Answered: 13 Skipped: 0

Q21. What are your top four priorities for the Council Plan to be formulated for 2021-2025.

1 Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents):
Priority 1 – Environmental Governance
Priority 2 – Community Engagment (and its governance)
Priority 3 – Sustainable Transport
Priority 4 – Local economic development to support Covid recovery

2 Melissa Yuan (IND):
Priority 1 – Covid recovery
Priority 2 – Alignment of the Council Plan with the myriad of sub-strategies for greater delivery, transparency
Priority 3 – Better Master planning for open space, community halls, sporting facilities and other community assets
Priority 4 – Greater transparency around Infrastructure investment

3 Shea Evans (IND):
Priority 1 – Prioriting the needs of the community to minimise the impact of Covid-19 on residents and small business.
Priority 2 – Maintaining Council run services and making sure they are not privatised.
Priority 3 – Ensuring that action is taken in relation to the climate emergency.
Priority 4 – The effective use/implementation of MITS and improvements to how people get around Moreland.

4 Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists):
Priority 1 – Acting like we’re in a climate emergency: divesting from fossil fuels and taking radical action for the climate
Priority 2 – Stopping inappropriate development
Priority 3 – Standing against discrimination such as racism
Priority 4 – Retaining council run services and reversing privitisation

5 Rachel Payne (Reason Party):
Priority 1 – Residential Solar Panel Scheme
Priority 2 – Recycling Audit
Priority 3 – Street Safety for Women Campaign and Development of APP
Priority 4 – Renewing our Commercial Precincts post-pandemic

6 Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents):
Priority 1 – Rapid phase-out of fossil fuel (gas) for heating Moreland’s pools
Priority 2 – Implementing the new clause in Moreland’s procurement policy: Excluding from future contracts, tenders or business dealings from any companies involved in developing new coal mines.
Priority 3 – Increased council advocacy for improvements in public transport, particularly duplicating the Upfield Line
Priority 4 – Increasing tree canopy in Moreland.

7 Mark Riley (Greens):
Priority 1 – Speedier transition to renewables for households and businesses.
Priority 2 – More resources and support for the community, business and residents to address the climate emergency.
Priority 3 – Zero waste target is seriously advanced, given the goal is 100% zero waste by 2030.
Priority 4 – Zero and low emissions transport is tackled well, given Council has few levers in this space.

8 James Conlan (Greens):
Priority 1 – Act on climate emergency by supporting community-controlled, renewable energy projects and energy efficiency upgrades for homes and businesses, especially vulnerable people
Priority 2 – Creating safe, quiet streets and encouraging mode shift to sustainable transport by building more bike and pedestrian paths and slowing traffic.
Priority 3 – Fighting inappropriate development by supporting communities through the planning process and advocating for strengthened planning laws that put people before profits
Priority 4 – Greening and re-wilding our city with tree planting along nature corridors and streets, plus supporting community gardens and public plantings

9 Helen Breier (Labor):
Priority 1 – Progress towards a carbon neutral city by measurable means
Priority 2 – Support the local economy and trading environments to enhance economic activity and promote local jobs coupled with sustainability
Priority 3 – Increase tree canopy cover, develop wildlife corridors and increase open space
Priority 4 – Connect with community in every way available

10 John Durrant (IND):
Priority 1 – Fix town planning to deliver the service and infrastructure needs of Residents, especially when our population grows.
Priority 2 – Increase consultation by providing democratic and practical ways residents can communicate with Council.
Priority 3 – Keep rates low by cutting out expenses that don’t make sense. Provide targeted rate relief for residents and small businesses in need.
Priority 4 – Implement my COVID-recovery plan.

11 George Georgiou (IND):
Priority 1 – Expand the current MITS 10-year cycling plan. If we are going to meet our modal share and emissions targets, we will need to double the planned separated bike lanes and shared paths over the remaining MITS 10-year plan.
Priority 2 – Charge for short term parking across the city, (MCC owned car parks and major retail streets), but only on the condition that every cent generated goes towards active transport.
Priority 3 – A new framework for every tree. This should include
Priority 4 – A new masterplan designed to identify potential active transport corridors thru large blocks of private land that are yet to be developed. (Refer to my A3 transport flyer for detail)

12 Robert Durkacz (IND):
Respondent skipped this question

13 Lambros Tapinos (Labor):
Priority 1 – Covid Economic Recovery
Priority 2 – Essential Community Services and Facilities, including building the Saxon Street Arts Hub
Priority 3 – Carbon reductions and invest in renewables
Priority 4 – Better planning outcomes, better environment sustainability design for apartments.

Q22. Do you have any other comments on Council Climate Leadership and Advocacy (include any actions you have taken on this)? Do you have any supplementary comments relating to the questions above, comments on other issues related to climate change not covered, or comments on climate change generally?

1 Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Moreland Council has some good policies in place that address Climate Change. We must now work to make sure that those policies are implemented and not forgotten in the face of economic challenges that confront us with the Covid recession. In this time of Climate Change we need to build the systems that support us to live low energy footprint lives, as we join together to support each other through these difficult times 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

2 Melissa Yuan (IND): I am one of the organisers of Brunswick Communities for Nature which is featured in a few of the policies above: https://brunswickc4n.wordpress.com/ On a personal note, my husband is a commuter cyclist, my kids (usually!) walk/ cycle to school, and we are waiting to move into our new highly energy-efficient home with SIPs, 7.5 star energy, nearly 6kW solar. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

3 Shea Evans (IND): Any action that is taken to reduce the impact of man made climate change cannot be considered too small or too large. I would also like to acknowledge that whilst I am in no way an expert on the above topics, I recognise and understand how urgent it is for leaders to act. I commit to listen and learn more, and also commit to championing actions that lead to better outcomes for the immediate and distant future. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

4 Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): We’re in the midst of a climate emergency. The horrific bushfire season we experienced at the start of the year is already becoming the new normal. Recently it was reported that smoke from bushfires burning from California to Washington has reached Europe. Politicians are making the situation worse. New coal mines are being built across the country under Liberal and Labor governments and Scott Morrison is prepraring a ‘gas lead recovery’ from the current economic crisis. We need radical action to meet the climate emergency. We need to stand up to bosses, developers and governments who are putting profits above all else. I’ll fight for a council and a world that puts the environment and ordinary people before profit. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

5 Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I think the Moreland Open Spaces Strategy needs to be reviewed and audited. It concerns me that the money received for sub-divisions and development that is to be used to add more green space for residents (a) doesn’t have to be used in the area it is acquired (for example, collected in South Ward and invested in NW Ward) and (b) doesn’t necessarily have to be spent on ‘green space’ but can be used to improve amenity and on current restoration of parkland (there is a budget for this separately). This is not very transparent. I also feel there is a real lack of community consultation around our green spaces, parkland and recreational areas when there is a proposal to change these amenities and this is causing distrust in council. More transparency and community consultation is a must for Moreland Council! 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

6 Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): Moreland Council needs to support climate activism and climate action and should play the role of pressuring federal and state governments alongside corporations to take serious action to address the climate crisis. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

7 Mark Riley (Greens): The Greens appreciate the incredible investment and interest by the broader Moreland communities in this most important area of Council and community work. Optimising collaboration and cooperation and facilitating this is essential if we are to achieve the goals and serious outcomes in the next Council term, especially without strong leadership from the Victorian Government (it has yet to announce it’s new targets in 2020, under the guise of the COVID emergency!!) and the poor federal leadership in the climate and energy policy space generally. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

8 James Conlan (Greens): If elected to council, I would welcome the opportunity to work closely with CAM and other climate and residents’ groups to help Moreland Council take bold, decisive leadership on climate action in addressing the climate emergency. As a community leader who has been involved in climate and sustainable transport campaigns, I would bring my capacity to bring community groups together in delivering meaningful change to Moreland. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

9 Helen Breier (Labor): Personally I have initiated significant investment in sustainable new technologies through founding and directing a private equity operator specialised in transitional new technologies. I dedicated my time to this for many years. Moreland Labor has a proud record of promoting strong environment policies including the establishment of CERES and the Australian Energy Foundation and achieved our goal of making Moreland City Council carbon neutral in 2012. Moreland Labor believes it’s time to move towards zero carbon emissions. Labor in Moreland will: Develop initiatives and programs to reduce our community emissions to zero and become a strong advocate for climate action by all levels of Government Encourage regular recycling and the four-bin system aiming for zero waste sent to landfill Retain two hard waste collections per year and encourage more recycling of more items, including electronics please refer to our comprehensive plan: https://morelandlabor.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Moreland-City-Council-Labor-Community-Policy-Platform-2020-1.pdf 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

10 John Durrant (IND): If successful in the election, I will: 1. Demand evidence and independent research to support proposed policies. 2. Ensure the public is consulted on important decisions. 3. Make decisions in the interest of the community. This applies beyond climate change but will ensure an ambitious, practical and market-leading approach to addressing climate change. In addition, I will bring others on the journey by increasing consultation and education. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

11 Robert Durkacz (IND): Because of the commonwealth government’s lack of credibilty on climate change, councils and other bodies are right to get involved. But let’s be conscientious that what we do has a
sound scientific and economic basis. 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

12 Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Participate in forums and encourage other councils to declare a climate emergency 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

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North-west ward – Moreland Council 2020 election candidate responses on climate North-east Ward – Moreland Council 2020 election candidate responses on climate

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