Briars Ward
Belinda Rodman

• Recovery from COVID
• Small business development
• Metro/regional divide
• The planned AGL plant development
• Transportation, in particular the rail connection to Melbourne
• Protection of the green wedge and impact on climate change on bushland, our farms and our coastal
• Ecosystem through strong protection of the local environment, sustainable waste management and
• The development of locally based renewable industry opportunities
• Improvement in accessibility and inclusion for all Peninsula residents.

I hope to contribute to finding resolutions to these issues and all others facing Council, by listening to the community and carefully reflecting their views. I will ensure that I am always well-versed in the evidence associated with any proposed strategies, policies or plans, and will work collaboratively to push for sensible, economically viable and sustainable decision-making.

I have a Master of Business degree and a professional background working in human resources in the retail, healthcare and general consultancy sectors. After moving to the Peninsula, I initially established and ran a vineyard, restaurant and cellar door just outside of Balnarring, which gave me a solid understanding of local planning, regulatory and tourism promotion and marketing issues. Since 2007, I have since been running my own human resources consultancy assisting clients with job applications and career development, which has further developed my understanding of the challenges of running a small business and the issues faced by individuals and businesses in the employment sector.

I have always been actively involved in community organizations and have regularly held leadership positions. I have been a member of the following local volunteer organizations: Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association; Mornington Peninsula Gourmet; Peninsula Small Business Network; Balnarring Playgroup Committee; Peninsula Grammar Parents Association; Frankston Food and Wine Society and vegetation management group the Balnarring BushRats.

Currently, I hold volunteer roles on the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Disability Advisory Committee and Best Bites Committee and am a Board Member of Southern Peninsula Community Support & Information Centre, which receives 40% of its funding from the Shire.

I believe that my general volunteer experience has given me a good insight into both the challenges and the pleasures of community involvement. My experience on the Shire committees has developed my understanding of Shire strategies and policies and of how to work successfully with Shire officers.

While any plan to improve transportation to the area is positive, I personally believe that it would have been better to have planned to extend the line initially to Mornington and then more government investment allocated to extend the rail line right through to Hastings as soon as possible. We need to urgently address the significant transportation issues that exist for Peninsula residents, especially for those who do not drive, and for the many young people who leave the area because it is too difficult to get to where they work or study. Hastings has the land and is already a developing industrial hub and port precinct. Building a rail depot in Baxter will have a major impact upon the rural nature of the area without really improving connectivity, particularly for the southern and bayside areas of the Peninsula.

Ensure that all decisions made by Council are consistently reviewed for compliance with the Small Business Friendly Charter. Bring to immediate attention any evidence of non-compliance during the implementation of those decisions.

The issue has obviously become even more contentious because of its impact upon our lockdown status during COVID. There are certainly benefits associated with being recognised as regional, which will be important to Peninsula businesses. Also, what suits suburban planning may not be appropriate for our coastal and hinterland villages, Green Wedge and bush land, and of course the agricultural sector. On the other hand, there are some benefits for remaining part of metro Melbourne. This will need to be a priority decision for Council, but I believe that the issue needs to be carefully considered with deep and broad community and business consultation conducted before a decision is made.

What is important here is that Council decisions accurately reflect community views, so I believe that if there is widespread community objection to a project, the Council is then obligated to reject an application, even if that means going to VCAT. Budget savings can be made in other areas, in particular limiting the use of expensive consultancy reviews by city-based firms without a real understanding or experience of local issues. By conducting real, widespread and transparent community consultation so that sensible, evidence-based policies and decisions are made in the first place, this should limit the number of cases going to VCAT. To ensure a more harmonious relationship Council I would like to see further development and refinement of the current draft Community Engagement Strategy and then a genuine implementation of the consultation process outlined in the policy.

• Employ more planners and simply the process to fast track planning approvals for projects which will employ locals.
  
• Accelerate the commencement of community recreational, heritage and environmental sustainability refurbishment projects, utilize local procurement and employ local construction and maintenance contractors for these works.
  
• Significantly increase the promotion and advertising of the Peninsula as a tourist destination for Melbourne and greater Victoria.
  
• Appoint more mentors to the Small Business Mentoring Program and provide other opportunities for one- on-one assistance to business owners to navigate planning and regulatory compliance issues.
  
• Offer a period of actual rate reduction or elimination rather than deferment to those proven to be in hardship.
  
• Quickly introduce the Shire’s just released business recovery package, including the easing of restrictions for using outdoor dining on sidewalks and in parklands etc.
  
• Advocate strongly to the State and Federal government for additional funding for development of appropriate and community accepted major shovel ready projects.
  

I am sensible, experienced and ready.

To be remembered for listening, for successfully steering Peninsula business and community recovery from the impacts of COVID, improving access and inclusion for all and for sustaining our special and unique area for the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my campaign information.