Red Hill Ward
David Gill

• The recovery from Covid-19 including my personal support for rate relief for businesses and families
• Increased employment opportunities - by removing impediments to reasonable developments and giving support to innovative and job creating businesses as well as supportive of Council’s plans for light industrial areas using recently released land from the port of Hastings development authority
• Protecting the Green Wedge and our 70% rural to 30% residential land use ratio by retaining our urban growth boundaries
• Improved mobile and Internet coverage by advocating to government and providers 

• Protecting the character of our towns and villages from over-development. Council has adopted a neighbourhood character strategy and is seeking approval from the planning Minister
•  To cut down the time and expense involved with planning permit applications Council has agreed to alter overlay triggers so that in many cases only building permits will be required.
• Electrification of the diesel train service to Hastings and a fair Peninsula bus system. These are State Government matters that I am strongly advocating for.
• Safer roads. I have been heavily involved in discussion and negotiation with State Ministers and have achieved positive results in grant funding for our ‘Towards Zero’ policy
• Protection of koalas and wildlife habitat. I have been involved with funding for bio-links and Land care programs
• Climate change including drought proofing the Peninsula, carbon neutrality, renewable energy and waste management. Helped drive Council’s policy which has resulted in a Climate Action plan that is already underway.
• We should be declared regional not metropolitan by the State Government with necessary planning measures to safeguard our Green Wedge

As a Councillor I have a track record based on experience and the ability to listen and negotiate best outcomes on behalf of our Community. I have strong advocacy skills and I am always prepared to tackle the broader issues as well as devote the necessary time, energy and enthusiasm to individual concerns.

It is surprising that Baxter is supported by anyone except developers for an end of electric railway line.

It will ruin the Green Wedge between Baxter and Somerville. All of this Green Wedge land will be needed for the infrastructure to support the ancillary functions surrounding a major electric line terminal.

Langwarrin is a more suitable and present economic option and would also allow service to the Frankston hospital. We need to then continue the electric line to Hastings.

Hastings has more than enough suitable land. This will help the local economy of Hastings to flourish in an area of industrial and jobs potential.

The Committee for Mornington Peninsula should rethink their advocacy for Baxter which would involve the beginning of a carve up of our Green Wedge.

I am 100% committed to the State Governments’ small business friendly program. As Mayor I signed the state sponsored small business charter on behalf of the Shire and we have fully enacted the provisions. There is more  to do especially with the time it takes to issue permits. The latest Shire initiated planning amendment is to do away with many of the permit triggers that unnecessarily hold up development proposals.

Yes this is a priority. I believe that the Mornington Peninsula, especially business is disadvantaged by being considered metro not regional by the State government. Council is campaigning to have regional status which would help local businesses financially with payroll tax and grants presently not available.

There are planning issues involved and we should be wary that our Green Wedge provisions are not lessened. We should not be considered a suburb of Melbourne.

There has been no change in approach to protecting the amenity of rate payers. Council has no enforcement powers and must go to VCAT or the Magistrate Court on a small number of issues to seek orders to protect ratepayers when planning permit conditions are not followed. There is always discussion before some serious cases still in dispute are acted on. Illegal clearing of bushland and inappropriate developments in the Green Wedge are recent examples.

VCAT is notoriously difficult place to win cases on behalf of affected ratepayers against some well-heeled developers continually cutting away at the Green Wedge and the rights of individual ratepayers.

The way this question is framed is no surprise given the make-up of the Committee for Mornington Peninsula  with payment of $22,000 plus GST the basis to be on the decision making management committee.

These are the measures that I will lead to stimulate our economy and help ease the pain felt in our community if re-elected to Council.

Families

Council rate relief package, in addition to the present hardship policy, and include all on job seeker to receive a rate reduction

Small Businesses

A small business grant program to add to the assistance previously announced by Council. Continue to lobby Governments to recognise the benefit of regional status on stamp duty and other overheads as well as the ability to apply for business grants

Youth

Provide informal activities such as bike pump tracks while organised sport is unavailable or limited

Community Groups

Funding for charitable organizations and ‘not for profit’ volunteer groups who provide for our most vulnerable

Musicians, Arts and Hospitality

Targeted support for those working in these hard hit industries, without their survival our lives won’t be the same after Covid 19

Students

Subsidize school supplies and books for those on family payments and job seeker allowance

Sporting Clubs

Dedicated grant funding to clubs to assist with restarting sporting programs for young people. No licence or lease fees

We can do all of this by Council budget tightening on less immediate priorities.

I have taken strong action to protect our Green Wedge, coastal village character and fought for increased road safety.

Red Hill ward is now receiving recognition of community needs.

I have always acted with integrity, treated issues on their merits, never sought or accepted donations and believe in community service.

I have never claimed expenses for my duties nor with the impact of covid-19 accepted remuneration for my role  as a local Councillor.

I am an independent candidate with no vested interests or political affiliations.

• A vibrant economy where Council promotes innovative business opportunities and works to help businesses succeed
• An electrified train line to Hastings
• A fair public transport system including a bus network that serves our community’s needs
• Co-operation with residents who should not be regarded as ‘customers’ by Council but as a valuable resource for solving issues of concern
• Increased Mornington Peninsula career jobs for young people
• A safe road and path system while retaining the atmosphere created by our rural roads and informal paths
• Government recognition that the Peninsula is regional not metropolitan. We are not a suburb of Melbourne
• Peninsula renewable energy projects, waste reforms, carbon emission targets and water recycling initiatives all successfully implemented as part our ‘Climate Change’ community response
• Our Green Wedge fully protected by legislation in line with the new Green Wedge Management Plan adopted by Council which highlights retention of our farmland and our $1.2billion food bowl for Melbourne
• Adoption by the state Government of the Neighbourhood Character Planning amendment and Coastal Villages Strategy protecting the rural nature of living in Red Hill Ward
• ‘Drought proofing’ of the Peninsula by using the hinterland recycled water proposal and storm water harvesting for farmland production and bushfire protection
• Survival of koalas and other wildlife and their habitats for future generations to appreciate
• Finally having decent mobile and internet coverage from service providers and governments
• A performing Arts Centre on the Peninsula
• Community hubs including mini libraries in our villages
• Western Port Bay and our foreshores protected from insensitive developments such as the proposed AGL gas importation terminal
• A wildlife hospital for Highfield in Greens Bush
• Safe and secure neighbourhoods for residents   
• International standard and interconnected walking and riding ‘Bay and hinterland’ trails covering the Peninsula
• Empowering our community by developing an interactive communication system that enables an immediate community voice on local issues that matter
• Provision of Government sponsored low cost social housing for Peninsula homeless people
• Our iconic views still remaining a major Peninsula attraction
• Public drinking water fountains in each village
• An arts precinct developed at Fenton Hall in Merricks North 

• Recognition and support for our 30,000 community volunteers
• A planning permit system that is efficient, cost effective and easy to use for applicants
• A successful airfield at Tyabb with a masterplan that caters for the amenity of young families living in the area
• Appropriate State and Federal Business and Infra-structure funding in recognition of the importance of the Mornington Peninsula’s economic contribution to Victoria
• Healthy and well-maintained bays and beaches
• Disability access to all facilities and recreation areas
• Maintain the 70% rural to 30%  residential balance in the planning scheme
• Increase road maintenance and condition levels as part of our towards zero target

“Over the last four years I have been working on all of these matters, many are now approved and started with some now waiting on full Covid-19 recovery before proceeding to the next stage.     

For the immediate future community care and business assistance surrounding Covid-19 is the first priority.”

My vision for the Mornington Peninsula strongly protects our rural atmosphere and village character, ensuring the lifestyle we want.

The protection of our Green wedge, iconic views and koala population along with improved public transport, a ‘drought proof’ Peninsula, decent digital reception, safer roads and a vibrant economy are important to me.

I welcome business lobby groups like the Committee for Mornington Peninsula putting their views forward so they can be judged on their merits regarding the overall benefit to our community.

I will continue to look at all aspects in what are complex matters effecting the future of the Mornington Peninsula.