Mayor Geoff Lovett, Central Goldfields Shire Council, Victoria
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I was first elected in 1997, with the return to an elected Council following two years under appointed Commissioners. I have served three terms and have been Mayor on three occasions.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
After many years of being involved with schools, service clubs and community organisations, I felt it was time to get involved in Local Government and make a contribution to my community. I believe Local Government is the grassroots of our system of Government, having the most immediate impact. I wanted to play an active role in the decision making process, and I also wanted to able to influence the future direction of where I live.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Central Goldfields Shire has a population of just over 13,000 people and covers an area of 1,550 square kilometres. The Shire is geographically located in the centre of Victoria, between the regional cities of Ballarat and Bendigo. The major centre is Maryborough, with a population of 8,000 people. Surrounding towns include Bealiba, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Majorca and Talbot. All towns were settled with the discovery of gold in the 1850s.
The Shire now has a large manufacturing sector, including small tools manufacturing, book printing and food processing, along with an important rural and farming component and tourism.
Q. What are the key challenges facing you and your Council?
The key challenge is growing employment opportunities, improving services and balancing the needs of our various communities and all residents, irrespective of age and urban or rural environments.
The other key is to put structures in place to ensure that this is a desirable place in which to live, learn, work and visit.
Q. What innovative projects is your Council working on?
Council is currently working towards the creation of a cluster of food related industries, which will be established on a greenfield site. The anchor tenant is a new joint venture company, which has taken over a major vacant facility. It is envisaged that each business will be independent but compatible.
Council has also recently acquired four vacant Government schools sites in Maryborough and is currently determining what uses will produce the best community outcomes over the long term. This is a once in a 100 year opportunity and is very much a balancing act between community interests and corporate/commercial realities.
Q. Tell us about a specific success you have had in Local Government?
It is satisfying to be part of a team who have worked tirelessly in partnership with the Victorian State Government to see an unprecedented level of spending on infrastructure works that will deliver ongoing longterm benefits for our residents.
Personally it is satisfying that heritage and environmental issues are now high on Council’s list of priorities.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
A good Councillor needs to understand their community, listen to the different views of all residents, and represent these issues impartially and effectively. It is imperative for Councillors to work cooperatively with the CEO, being supportive while at the same time providing clear direction and leadership.
To be a good Councillor, and part of a successful Council, it is important to accept that while holding a personal view, ultimately being a team player and part of a united team is fundamental to success.
Councillor Mary Lalios, City of Whittlesea, Vic
Q. How long have you been on Council?
Having been elected in November 2005, I am approaching my two year anniversary.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
Born and bred in Whittlesea, I love my municipality and the community I live in with my family. I am proud to be serving my community and especially those less fortunate.
When I was in prep, I was given a gold medallion from ‘The President, Councillors and Ratepayers of the Shire of Whittlesea’ for the ‘celebration of 100 years of Local Government’ from 1875 to 1975. I still have the medallion and the Shire of Whittlesea, or City of Whittlesea as it is now known, has been emblazoned in my mind ever since.
From an advocacy point of view, I wasn’t going to let the then Kennett Government get away with cutting funds to maternal and child health centres, just as I was having my babies! So I lobbied the Government. When my kids were starting their education, I again lobbied the Government to increase funding for three year old kindergartens and to assist four year old kinder committees of management. I put forward a submission to be heard by ‘community cabinet’, which visited our municipality in 2001. A few years later, I met my local Councillor, Cathy Hayes, at a Local Government conference. Cathy has since retired, but she coached and mentored me through the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA). Cathy encouraged me to stand and the rest is history.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
The City of Whittlesea is located 20 kilometres north of the Melbourne CBD. It covers an area of 489 square kilometres, making it geographically one of the larger Councils in metropolitan Melbourne. Some 70 per cent of the municipality is rural and will remain so. The current population of 134,000 is expected to grow to more than 148,000 by 2011, making us one of Victoria’s fastest growing Councils. The City is also Victoria’s third most culturally diverse municipality. Many people from all over the world have domiciled in Whittlesea.
Q. What are the key challenges facing you and your Council?
With more than 40 people moving into the municipality each week, Council is committed to ensuring this growth is sustainable. While delivering a responsible annual budget (I need to say this as I am an accountant), Council is also effectively advocating to other levels of government for much needed facilities and services for a rapidly expanding community. One major issue is ensuring that the State Government delivers a train line beyond Epping, sometime in the near future.
In response to growth, community development is just as important as physical infrastructure. In my opinion, you might have a well developed area with all the modern conveniences, but if residents don’t know their neighbours there is
something wrong.
Q. Tell us about a specific success you have had in Local Government.
The implementation of the Whittlesea Special Kids Holiday Activity Program (WhiSKHA) is a holiday program specifically for children with additional needs, who would not have ordinarily been able to access a holiday program. It has been rewarding to see smiles on the children’s faces, especially when at the end of the day they don’t want to go home.
Q. What advice would you give to women contemplating running for Council?
Just do it. If you are passionate about the community in which you live, don’t be afraid to stand up and be counted. I found ALGWA a great help – their mentor program is brilliant. I am now a mentor and am happy to assist with queries about standing for election. With elections scheduled for next year, I encourage women to throw their hat in the ring. Women make up 50 per cent of the population, yet we make up only 29 per cent of Local Government Councillors. This gap needs to be compressed.
