In the leadup to the City of Maribyrnong Council elections, Star will cover in brief the platforms of each of the candidates in the seven wards. This week Christine de Kock spoke to candidates in the Bluestone and Saltwater Wards.
SOCIALIST Alliance member Ben Courtice said he would stand up against the federal and state governments on a range of issues, such as trucks on residential streets, to the “Howard government’s attacks on workers’ rights and draconian antiterror laws which will be used to intimidate communities such as ours” if elected.
CONNEX station assistant Ramesh Mackenzie will be running as an Independent in the council elections.
He will push for an increase in public transport in the ward, in addition to increased health facilities and the reduction of Western Hospital’s waiting list and an increase in courses available at schools and universities.
ENDORSED Greens candidate Greg Ferrington is a member of the community groups Maribyrnong Truck Action Group, Footscray Reference Group and Friends of Stony Creek.
He’s concerned about a number of issues in the area, including heavy vehicles using suburban streets, Tottenham rail yards and equality of service provision in the municipality.
CURRENT Bluestone Ward councillor Catherine Cumming said that as a councillor for the past eight years she has been active in planning issues, such as the $2.2 million funding for the new West Footscray Hub Library and Neighbourhood House and council’s contribution of $17.5 million for the redevelopment of Whitten Oval.
STACEY Lynn is the electorate officer for Footscray Member of Parliament Bruce Mildenhall and is the endorsed Labor Party candidate for the ward.
Ms Lynn plans to clean up the city, increase safety and encourage people to be more physically active.
“We deserve a diverse range of recreation opportunities,” she said.
