A regular feature, this edition profiling two elected members from Victoria
Mayor Meredith Butler,
Boroondara City Council, Victoria.
Q. Tell us about yourself and your Council?
Boroondara is located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and includes Camberwell, Hawthorn, Kew, Balwyn, Ashburton, Canterbury and parts of Surrey Hills and Glen Iris. More than 167,000 people live in Boroondara and it has one of the highest numbers of state and private secondary schools in the state.
I was born in Sydney, but for the last 10 years I have lived in Melbourne. However, I have had family living in and around Hawthorn for the last 150 years and I have an enthusiastic love of Melbourne and its people, history and great possibilities for the future. As well as being Mayor of Boroondara, I am a member of several key committees, including the Boroondara Route 109 Working Group, the Foundation Boroondara Working Group, the Glenferrie Open Space Precinct Concept Masterplan and the Social Housing Policy Advisory Group.
Q. When and how did you first get involved in Local Government?
I was first elected to the Boroondara Council in 1999. I got involved in Local Government because I feel it is important for people to contribute if you want to make a difference. You must get involved.
Q. During your time on Council, how have you seen your Council evolve?
Our Council is focused on continual learning and improvement, which has brought harmony and stability to our community.
Q. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced while in Local Government?
Definitely the biggest challenge has been trying to achieve better outcomes for the community and delivering what they expect to a level they are happy with, given the limited resources of all Local Governments. Some of the other big challenges for us have been getting better urban planning outcomes for the City, transport and the adequate provision of aged care services by all three levels of government.
Q. What are some of your high points in Local Government?
Working with the community is a definite high point. But also the opportunity to work with my elected colleagues at other levels of government, and within the Local Government sector itself.
Q. What are some of the major issues being faced by your Council and the community?
The biggest issue we face now is asset renewal. Boroondara is responsible for more than $1 billion of public assets. We need to ensure we are addressing the need for ongoing maintenance and development of these assets to provide for both current and future generations. Also, we must recognise how we can continue providing services to the community, while recognising that the needs of the community may be changing. It involves continual review and having a culture of service that focuses on the community.
Q. How do you think Local Government can strengthen its force on the political landscape of Australia?
We must recognise that we are all part of a larger team. We must join together to become more strategic and focus on those issues that are important to the sector, and therefore the community at large.
Q. What do you see as key aspects to being a good Mayor/Councillor?
You have to be a team player. And you have to be sensitive to the needs and issues of your fellow Councillors. But most importantly, you must respond to the community.
Cr Jenny Kelly,
Gannawarra Shire Council, Victoria
Q. Tell us about yourself?
I am married with three teenage sons. My husband and I operate a floor covering installation business. We are involved in sport, schooling and community organisations. I was raised on a dairy farm at Mead and have remained in this area, now residing in Kerang.
Q. Describe your Council and community.
The Gannawarra Shire is located in the productive Loddon Murray Region of Victoria, a three hour drive north of Melbourne. With an area of 3,740 kilometres the Shire has an estimated population of 12,565 people. The main population centres are Kerang and Cohuna with smaller townships of Koondrook, Leitchville, Quambatook, Murrabit, Lalbert, Macorna, Mystic Park and Lake Charm within the Shire. The natural features of the Gannawarra Shire include some 57 lakes, swamps and marshes, forming one of Australia’s largest and most important wetland areas. The wetlands combine with ancient forests and the red gum fringed reaches of the Murray River to create a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere for residents and tourists. Agriculture is the largest employment sector in the Gannawarra Shire. In fact in terms of agricultural output, the Gannawarra Shire is one of the highest in the State. Dry land and some 137,000 hectares of irrigated land combine with ideal climate and fertile soils to create a Shire rich in agricultural diversity. Agricultural pursuits within the Shire include dairying, cereals and grains, red meat, pork, legumes and horticulture. Manufacturing is a growing sector of the economy.
Q. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced while in Local Government?
Continual push to increase infrastructure funding; increased demand for Home and Community Care services due to an aging population, yet the funding is not keeping pace with the increasing demands or costs associated with running these services; and the introduction of State Government’s Best Practice Valuation Program resulted in a significant shift in rating burden across the municipality. This has resulted in a small but vocal group of ratepayers withholding their rates for the past two years. This group has also initiated a number of legal proceedings against Council. This action has been time consuming, costly and divisive.
Q. What are some of your high points in Local Government?
In my first three year term as a Councillor I was elected Mayor and then again in my second three year term. My time on Council serving the community has shown that ordinary people can achieve these positions. Mayors are involved in a large number of organisations, events and functions, all of equal importance, regardless of how big or small. Some of the highlights that jump to mind are the Olympic Torch Relay, Naturalisation Ceremonies and attending clubs, groups and organisations that I previously had little or no involvement in or knowledge of. I have become more aware of the huge contributions of volunteers and groups in the community.
Q. What are some of the major issues being faced by your Council and the community?
Job creation to retain youth. Our major export from rural areas is our young people; addressing a range of environmental issues; ongoing efforts to secure extra infrastructure funding; and working with Municipal Association of Victoria in its endeavours to have funding arrangements reviewed in relation to Home and Community Care services.
Q. What gets you excited about working in Local Government?
The challenges and satisfaction when able to achieve positive results and outcomes that benefit and contribute to the well being of the Shire community. Involvement in Local Government has meant my family and I meet people we may not otherwise have crossed paths with and visit places we may not have been to. I have met some wonderful and interesting people and I would encourage everyone to consider serving a term on their local Council to broaden their knowledge and understanding of local issues. Local Government or Gannawarra Shire Council has meant working with a team committed to achieving a common goal – the growth and prosperity of the Shire.
