ELGAR WARD

Cr Helen Harris

I have lived in Whitehorse for more than thirty years, and in Elgar Ward since 1993.   My husband and I live in an environmentally-friendly house in which we have installed solar panels, solar hot water, rainwater tanks, compost bins and a vegie garden.  We have reduced our lawn area substantially by mulching and planting local indigenous plants, and have a fish pond with a solar-powered fountain. I have opened my home to residents on several occasions to encourage others to become more environmentally sustainable.  I am a member of the A.T.A. – Alternative Technology Association – a non-profit community group that promotes renewable energy and sustainable practices.

I hold an MA in history and have been actively involved in heritage and conservation issues for many years. I have served as both President and Secretary of the Box Hill Historical Society, am an Honorary Life Member of the Aust. Institute of Genealogical Studies and the Police Historical Society, as well as founder and Honorary Life Member of the Avoca & District Historical Society.  I was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1993, for services to community history, and the inaugural Frances Brown Award for Excellence in 2004 by the Vic. Association of Family History Societies.  I am a long-term member of the National Trust and work as a professional historian.

I was elected in 2005 to represent Elgar Ward on Council, and believe that local Councillors should live in the area they represent.  I also believe that candidates must be honest with voters and declare any political alliances they may hold; it is up to the voters to decide whether or not that is relevant, not the candidate. 

I have responded promptly to all requests for assistance from residents and believe I have acted with integrity and honesty at all times. I have increased awareness of both heritage and environmental issues within Council and the community, and been actively involved in promoting the heritage and history of Whitehorse. I initiated the establishment of a monthly Farmers’ Market, run by a community group with profits going back into the community; a Council rebate for residents who install solar hot water services or solar panels; and a Community Green Power Scheme. 

I am an endorsed Greens candidate, and seek your support in representing the needs of residents, the community and the environment on Council for another term.
To contact Helen, please call 0416 316 419 or email helen.harris@vic.greens.org.au

Alistair McCaskill

I have lived in  Box Hill North for over 18 years, and have worked in medical research, business and financial planning. I am now self-employed, providing   writing and educational services to the financial planning and investment industries. I have been actively involved with Box Hill North Primary and Pre-School, Parkside Kindergarten and Kerrimuir Neighbourhood House. I am extremely concerned by the threats posed by climate change and peak oil, and believe Council can help residents avoid some of the effects we can expect from these major issues. I am also keen to see Council foster greater community ties, and to protect our city from inappropriate development. I am an endorsed Greens candidate, and am committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and financial responsibility. I seek your support in helping to ensure that Whitehorse becomes a truly sustainable city. Phone 0411 400 908

CENTRAL WARD

Bill Pemberton

I have lived in Central Ward for 13 years and work as a sustainable energy and water consultant. I have a long standing interest in local government, and have been actively involved in local transport campaigns including the lowering of the train line at Springvale Road. In my work with other councils I have seen how local government can deliver cost-effective programs that help residents reduce their energy bills, save water and build stronger communities. I seek your support in allowing me, as your Councillor, to assist the Whitehorse community in developing and implementing the services that will help us address the challenges presented by climate change and rising energy costs. As an endorsed Greens candidate, I will bring to council a strong belief in ethical behaviour and honesty. I am committed to ensuring that all members of the community are valued and included in the council’s decision making processes. Phone 0428 636 316

Dr John Vincent

I have lived in Central Ward for 18 years and I work as a mentor with trainee primary teachers on behalf of the Melbourne Graduate School of  Education. Previously I taught for 40 years in primary, secondary and tertiary education and I hold a doctorate in education.
 
I also work voluntarily with Specific Learning Difficulties Victoria  (SPELD) where I belong to a team of educators that helps both parents and teachers develop technology programs to support children with learning difficulties. I sit on the State Committee of Management for SPELD. I belong to Wilderness Society, Australian Conservation Foundation, Bush Heritage.

I am standing as a Green for Central Ward in Whitehorse Council because I am proud of our local environment, but it needs sensitivity and care and to sustain and improve it. We need to reduce council’s net carbon emissions to zero by 2015 in line with Council’s Ecovision strategy and encourage residents and businesses to cut their emissions by 40% by 2020. This way the local community can make a serious contribution to ease the perils of global warning and climate change. I am in the process of making my own house into a carbon neutral site, with solar hot water, solar electric cells, growing vegetables and using saved water in toilets and laundry as well as for the garden. I believe that as a council we can help create the conditions to encourage this sort of action, including adding to the current grant schemes.

Transport must contribute greatly to a future with minimal carbon use. To help reduce carbon emissions we need to encourage bicycles, with a North-South bike route a priority, and to make Whitehorse seriously bicycle friendly. The council must apply constant pressure on State and Federal Governments to make the public transport better and safer, including dropping the rail tracks under bridges throughout the municipality; making the third track to Ringwood an absolute priority, and investigating new ways of feeding passengers into the rail and tram lines without needing daily car journeys.
 
Greens support local communities that have vibrant shopping and small business centres which encourage local shopping and working with minimal journeys. Council must do everything in its power to foster such local communities. For example, shopping strips like Blackburn South need to be upgraded and made far safer. At present Blacky South has one pedestrian crossing in half a kilometre, the lights are heavily in favour of cars, which are allowed to travel at 60 kph. with a 2 minute wait on red. Older, disabled and slower citizens are left stranded on a 70cm wide unprotected median strip. I will campaign for more crossings, user-friendly lights, a safe central refuge and a 40 kph limit.

In planning I support moves that protect the community from inappropriate development. We have to be very vigilant to protect our built environments.

Education has been my lifelong area of interest and expertise, and I am very concerned at the possible effects on our pre-school provisions of the current economy and the profit-driven early learning centres. I will press for an action plan to ensure Whitehorse is ready if any of the commercial providers fail us. We must protect the education of our youngest citizens.

There has never been a more important time to vote for effective decisions on local environments, and for initiatives on the global issues, water and climate change at the local level. Vote locally for a sustainable future: this time vote for The Greens.

Contact John at  0431661754    john.vincent@vic.greens.org.au