Twenty-nine candidates are vying for seven positions on Maribyrnong Council at the October 27 election. The election is conducted entirely by post. This week, we profile 11 candidates competing for three vacancies in Yarraville ward (covering Yarraville, Kingsville, Seddon and part of Footscray). In total there are 12 candidates.
Name: Llewellyn Rees
Age: 38
Resides: Yarraville
Job: Union organiser
Party: Labor
My priorities include neighbourhood improvement plans that detail the maintenance and improvements for the next three years, and night and full weekend truck curfews for Somerville Road and Francis Street, Yarraville, and Moore and Buckley streets, Footscray.
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Name: Sylvie Leber
Age: 62
Resides: Footscray
Job: Fitness instructor, artist
Party: Greens
Greens councillors consider social justice, economic and environmental impacts in their decision-making, and publicly available policies guide them. I’ll work closely with the community to improve our quality of life in Maribyrnong.
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Name: Phuong Tran
Age: 26
Resides: Braybrook
Job: Psychologist
Party: Independent
Our electorate is a growing area with a lot of potential. We need councillors who advocate sustainable, researched, and best-practice policies that address immediate ratepayer concerns. Adding value is my key intention.
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Name: Catherine van Vliet
Age: 40
Resides: Seddon
Job: Medical research
Party: Labor
Yarraville ward is friendly, vibrant and multicultural. Let’s keep it that way. I have lived in Seddon for 15 years. My priorities are safer and less-polluted streets, high-quality sustainable development, more childcare and kindergarten places, and better recreational opportunities.
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Name: Michael Clarke
Age: 57
Resides: Yarraville
Job: Manager
Party: Labor
As a local resident, parent and Wattle ward councillor, I understand the issues of concern to our community. I believe it’s important to actively make our community a better place. I want to make a difference locally and continue to be a strong voice on the council.
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Name: Grant Miles
Age:43
Resides: Footscray
Job: owner Cheaper Buy Miles
Party: Independent
I have been a Maribyrnong resident for 24 years. I am president of Footscray Traders Association and organiser of the Rickshaw Run event. We need ‘real’ independents on the council with enthusiasm to improve our area and no political baggage.
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Name: Martin Zakharov
Age: 55
Resides: Yarraville
Job: Musician/teacher
Party: Labor
As a Sheoak ward councillor, I’ve brought improvements, including Yarraville’s Pop Up Park and bus station plaza. I’ll continue working for fewer trucks, more kindergarten, childcare and secondary school places, better public transport and bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure.
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Name: Ben Coyle
Age: 42
Resides: Footscray
Job: Café owner
Party: Independent
Councils should comprise residents and business owners who have a vested interest in the development of an area and seeing that rates are spent appropriately. I wish to see cleaner streets, accountability for government-funded projects and a higher police presence.
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Name: Simon Crawford
Age: 30
Resides: West Footscray
Job: Sport and recreation planner
Party: Greens
I want to see the City of Maribyrnong become a place where everyone feels safe to walk and ride. I want to improve recycling services, including free green waste, and clean our streets, parks and waterways. I want to boost local business.
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Name: John Cumming
Age: Not disclosed
Resides: Seddon
Job: Hotelier
Party: Labor
Since my election to Saltwater ward, the council has become more efficient, saving about $2million a year. Our community is improving, with new festivals, gardens, extra library hours and increased spending on infrastructure. My priorities include SKY high school.
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Name: Trevor Coon
Age: 51
Resides: Yarraville
Job: Bookshop manager
Party: Greens
I aim to keep Yarraville’s village atmosphere but lose the trucks. Council should start leading the campaign for truck bypass ramps and putting freight on rail instead of backing the Liberal/Labor call for a dirty great road tunnel and tollway — Westlink — through the inner west.
Van Huynh did not respond.
