Watson Ward
Michael Stephens

BIO

I'm a parent and tradesman on the Mornington Peninsula with a passion for community and localising activities. Local jobs, local food, local support through a caring Council. This once in a 100 year pandemic has up ended life as we knew it, so now more than ever our community needs nurturing and patience. It's been reassuring to see people taking extra care of each other through out these unpredictable months in lockdown.

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

1- Climate Change action NOW.
I will view all wards issues through the lens of the MP councils climate emergency plan.

2- Accelerating population growth,
And the impacts on Watson. Defending the Green wedge.

3- Resolving Watson Ward issues, fast and straight forwardly

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

I've got a solid community volunteering history, unlike the majority of the other Watson Candidates.
I will view all issues in the ward through the lens of the councils Climate Emergency Plan. ACT NOW.

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

I support the up grade of the rail service through the Watson Ward, and the increase of services.

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 will encourage council to spend rate payment dollars with in the shire, to support and grow local business.

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?

No, I do not believe the Mornington Peninsula is disadvantaged by being classed as metropolitan

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 support the councils initiative to use VCAT to settle the Tyabb Airfield planning permit situation.

Why should ratepayers vote for you?

Rate payers and residents should vote for me because I'm focussing on the long term vision.

Watson Ward
Michael Stephens

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 Counciler 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?

Why should ratepayers vote for you?

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Watson Ward Michael Stephens

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 Counciler 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?

Why should ratepayers vote for you?

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Watson Ward
Michael Stephens