Supporting local issues
There are multiple local issues that communities have raised with me over recent months, across several local council areas. The poor condition of roads and concerns around development planning are the main items that keep coming up in discussions. It is clear that these two issues, in particular, require priority attention from the State Government and the next Member for Macedon, which I undertake to do if I am elected.
In particular, the following issues arise in the Macedon Ranges Shire, some of which are included in the Council’s Advocacy Projects Prospectus (April 2026) . Because I am an independent candidate in this election, I cannot undertake to provide any particular level of State funding towards any issue, as I will not be part of Government. However I have looked into each of the following and I fully support these projects. I will advocate strongly for them if I am elected:
Prioritising local roads: the need to urgently repair our damaged roads is plain for all to see. I support this project and the need for State Government support.
Delivering Barkly Square Pavilion: as a Woodend local, I was not familiar with the condition of facilities at Barkly Square, so I visited the venue in October. I was quite surprised at the poor state of some buildings. I reviewed the new pavilion proposal, which is ready to go once funding is secured. I support this project.
Lancefield DPO24: local residents have taken me through the issues arising from DPO24 and I agree that the conditions in DPO24 need to be eased, or DPO24 removed entirely. There appears to be little logic for the restrictions in DPO24.
Clarkefield C164macr: this significant development in Clarkefield has strong opposition from the community and I am pleased to see that it has been referred by the State Government to an independent review. This development will change the face of Clarkefield and the community deserves a more thorough review of the development proposal.
Planning certainty - key master plans: I acknowledge the many master plans that Council has adopted over recent years, which will guide the development of various recreational and open reserves. As a Woodend local, I am particularly aware of the Woodend Racecourse Reserve Master Plan and, given that this area has been largely dormant for decades, I fully support development of this area, along with other master plans in the shire. They all need funding and I support focussing on prioritising and advocating for State Government funding to kick off these developments.