Nepean Ward
Sarah Race

BIO

We have many challenges facing our community. The pandemic recovery will require a new style of leadership and fresh thinking, that marries sharp financial management with creativity and innovation. I’m Sarah Race, I’m married, with 2 kids, 2 cats and I’ve lived in Tootgarook for almost 6 years.
I have a degree in history and politics, and I’m currently studying a post graduate Masters degree. I’ve worked within the public and private sector in e- commerce, tourism and community development, in Australia and the UK. While working at Rye Community House I created the award winning, Southern Peninsula Repair Cafe, Crop Swap and Beach Clean Board initiatives.

As an active local community volunteer I currently serve on the Rye School Council and I've served twice on the Rye Kinder Committee. It is this breadth of professional and community experience, my enthusiasm, energy and dogged determination to get stuff done, that makes me the ideal candidate for the Nepean Ward. I’m passionate about community, economics, and good government.
As your Councillor I will champion, strengthen and encourage our community to ensure we all thrive. I will be open about the decisions I make, I will be respectful of others, open to criticism and transparent in my dealings. I will advocate for a vibrant, self sustaining local economy. Together we can improve our sporting and arts facilities, protect our bay, beaches and green wedge, support our local economy, fight for better public transport and build opportunities for all, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers.
We work better when we all work together.

Vote 1 Sarah Race, because in my role as your councillor I'll work with you to bring your community projects to life. I will persevere in the hard times and celebrate the good. Let’s put the unity into community.

What do you see are the key issues facing the Mornington Peninsula and how do you envisage contributing to a resolution?

We have one big issue - the pandemic recovery. This year isn't politics as normal, and once we know how our community has fared we'll be able to start getting the Peninsula back on track.
How can we support our business community, both existing and new? How many people are unemployed? How many people are now homeless, or borderline homeless?
How can we use our Climate Emergency plan to address these issues, as in what employment opportunities can we fast track? Also what funding is available at a Federal and State level that we can harness to recover from the pandemic and improve the Peninsula.

I envisage being on the ground working with stakeholders to find out what these issues are and look at ways we can address them across all levels of government. It will be the Councillors role to ensure we advocate to State and Federal governments to support our recovery. I have good working relationships with both Chris Brayne and Greg Hunt and I intend to work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for the Peninsula.

We will also need to reunite the community, there is a lot of division at the moment, and it will be imperative as a Councillor to find the common ground.

What skills/experience will you bring to your role as a Councillor that will benefit the Mornington Peninsula community?

I have a breadth of experience in my professional life across the e-commerce, tourism and community development sectors. This experience has been gained in the UK and Australia, both in urban and rural environments and in start-ups, big companies, working for myself and in the private and public sectors. I have also been a volunteer on a variety of committees and in a variety of positions.

What is your view on the Baxter Rail project that has a $225 million commitment from the federal government?

In principle I’m supportive of this initiative as I’m a big supporter of more public transport services for the Mornington Peninsula. However, I’m not across the detail of this proposal and before I take a definitive position I like to understand the whole picture.

What will you do as a candidate to ensure that the Mornington Peninsula Shire honors its commitment to the State governments Small Business Friendly Program?

I think it is very important that the Shire works with, and supports, our small businesses, so yes I will be supporting this program. I also think it’s important that the Shire looks for opportunities with the State and Federal governments that can support all our businesses on the Mornington Peninsula.

Do you believe the Mornington Peninsula is disadvantaged by being considered part of metropolitan Melbourne and not being able to access the same benefits as Geelong who are considered a regional council, and do you believe this should be a priority of a newly elected Mornington Peninsula Council?

Now this is an interesting question, and one in which I wish we could have a real life conversation. As somebody who has been employed seeking grants and fundraising, I have often been frustrated at the Mornington Peninsula being classified as metro. And I understand for businesses there are advantages to being classified as rural. But as I said before I like to have a complete understanding of an issue before I take a position. So what I can say is that I will be asking the Shire to do a Cost Benefit Analysis to evaluate the pros and cons of being metro or regional. I would also like to understand if the Shire has fully explored the advantages to being metro and have they communicated those benefits to businesses and other organisations.

The current Mornington Peninsula Council has recently taken an approach to enforcement that has seen a significant increase in prosecutions at VCAT and the Victorian Magistrates Court at great expense to ratepayers, and in relation to VCAT- very low success rates. If elected will you support this current approach to enforcement and if not how do you propose Council can create a more harmonious productive relationship with ratepayers?

I have listened to many business owners, residents and community groups on this exact topic. I think many of these issues could be sorted out before they get anywhere near VCAT with better communication from the beginning of an issue arising. I will be advocating for a more proactive Shire that works well with the community.

The newly elected Council will have significant work to do in response to the COVID-19 recovery phase— what do you believe the best way the Council can assist the community and business?

The council will need to do a lot of listening. Understand what the issues are across the Shire. A vibrant business community equates to a vibrant wider community. The Shire can choose to spend ratepayers money within the community, and this ensures that more local jobs are created, that then has flow on effects for other businesses and more jobs and this supports the wider community. The Shire can also look at our high streets and ways to revitalise them. The Shire could also look proactively for opportunities to support current businesses and encourage new businesses to our area.

Our community will need to be supported with more investment in mental health support and perhaps community events (when possible) to bring us back together. As well as action on the issues that are important to our community; this can include everything from year round dog beaches, to support for the homeless and investment in our sports and arts facilities.

Nepean Ward
Sarah Race

What do you see are the key issues facing the Mornington Peninsula and how do you envisage contributing to a resolution?

What skills/experience will you bring to your role as a Councillor that will benefit the Mornington Peninsula community?

What is your view on the Baxter Rail project that has a $225 million commitment from the federal government?

What will you do as a candidate to ensure that the Mornington Peninsula Shire honors its commitment to the State governments Small Business Friendly Program?

Do you believe the Mornington Peninsula is disadvantaged by being considered part of metropolitan Melbourne and not being able to access the same benefits as Geelong who are considered a regional council, and do you believe this should be a priority of a newly elected Mornington Peninsula Council?

The newly elected Council will have significant work to do in response to the COVID-19 recovery phase— what do you believe the best way the Council can assist the community and business?

Why should ratepayers vote for you?

If you are elected, what would you like your legacy to be at the end of your four year term?

Any final comments?

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Nepean Ward Sarah Race

What do you see are the key issues facing the Mornington Peninsula and how do you envisage contributing to a resolution?

What skills/experience will you bring to your role as a Councillor that will benefit the Mornington Peninsula community?

What is your view on the Baxter Rail project that has a $225 million commitment from the federal government?

What will you do as a candidate to ensure that the Mornington Peninsula Shire honors its commitment to the State governments Small Business Friendly Program?

Do you believe the Mornington Peninsula is disadvantaged by being considered part of metropolitan Melbourne and not being able to access the same benefits as Geelong who are considered a regional council, and do you believe this should be a priority of a newly elected Mornington Peninsula Council?

The newly elected Council will have significant work to do in response to the COVID-19 recovery phase— what do you believe the best way the Council can assist the community and business?

Why should ratepayers vote for you?

If you are elected, what would you like your legacy to be at the end of your four year term?

Any final comments?

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Nepean Ward
Sarah Race