Mansfield Shire Council election candidates

My name is Mandy Treasure, I'm a Mansfield based accountant, I worked in various accounting roles in Melbourne and overseas before moving to Mansfield to take a position with the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Resort Management Board. Since then I have lived in the area for the past 20 years and have worked in varied roles in local businesses. I am currently Treasurer of the Deakin Allen & Marj Coombs Children's Welfare Trust and Vice Chair of the Beolite Retirement Village. I am married to a local farmer and our son attends Mansfield Primary School. I believe in the importance of focusing on the delivery of the basics at the local government level, listening to the community and sound financial management. If elected, I would prioritise encouraging private investment in our Shire that can provide services needed, particularly in areas such as childcare, aged care and accommodation for people working in the local area. I would like to continue the good work which has been undertaken by the current council making Mansfield a benchmark council in regional Victoria.

It has been a real privilege to serve as a Councillor and Mayor at Mansfield Shire Council over the past four years. I believe I have helped build a strong and productive relationship between the community and Council based on trust, transparency and fair and equal representation for all our citizens. With a strong background in farming, business and tourism and a strong work ethic, I believe I have the right credentials and experience to continue to represent Mansfield Shire ratepayers. Over the past Council term, Mansfield Shire has had the second lowest rate increases of all the 79 Victorian Shires. This has been achieved by a continuous search for cost savings and service efficiencies driven by sound and responsible financial management . If elected, I will continue to push for lower rates to help reduce cost of living pressures. I will also continue to develop better infrastructure, by properly maintaining roads and footpaths, waste and water facilities and building critical infrastructure for our future. As a third generation local farmer married with four Children, a strong community background and a love of the area, I am totally committed to enhancing our Shires natural environment and its proud and diverse communities.

Do you want More for Mansfield? More jobs? More businesses? More tourism? More events? More childcare? More affordable housing? More services? I’m with you. As President of the Mansfield Bush Market from 2023, my committee and I shielded our businesses from red tape, filled the market to the brim with fresh energy, boosted tourism, donated over $15k of our revenue to other non-profits within Mansfield, while creating a youth accelerator where our youngest residents could trade for free. In my full-time job I am fortunate to run Australia's most successful platform for markets, with over 20k stallholders across Australia, so I get to live and breathe tourism, business, systems, and have fun while doing it. I will bring this energy to every community in our shire, boosting tourism and jobs, helping businesses, sending more grant funding to local non-profits, while driving efficiencies within council to cut waste. Finally - I am passionate about young workers and young families and will lobby for appropriate affordable housing to ensure they have somewhere to live. You can chat to me at any Bush Market to see how we're tracking, so vote #1 for Nick Cooper and get More for Mansfield.

In the average community in Australia, including Mansfield in size and demographic, $25 million in household energy expenses, every year, is whisked off to overseas or interstate interests, without offering any meaningful return nor significant career paths to the community; $16.4 million in oil, $7.8 million in coal and $300,000 in gas. Creating community power hubs, where public facilities support extensive solar panel installations (hospitals, stadiums, car parks) and battery facilities (like the power installation at Kidston Parade), would provide the community with super cheap power and keep $25 million (minimum) in the local economy every year. Apart from the jobs created in building and maintaining infrastructure, this capital kept locally can power up our local economy, open business opportunities and create further employment options and career paths when that money is spent here. Mansfield is perfectly situated to embrace this inevitable, necessary step, so I am standing for council to help drive the shire’s aspirations towards achieving this extraordinary opportunity for our community. In addition, our current and projected growth mandates planning and advocating for extra capacity in schools, more sports grounds, health services expansion. I am committed to helping drive these critical measures as a Mansfield Shire Councillor.

I'm Bonnie Clark, and I'm running for Mansfield Shire Council because I believe in putting our community first. As a local resident, working professional, and mother raising a young family here, I understand the unique needs and challenges we face. My experience in local government and active involvement in community have given me the skills and insights to serve effectively on our Council. I'm passionate about truly representing our community. I pledge to listen attentively to your concerns and ensure your voices are heard in Council decisions. In these tough times, I'm committed to making our Council more efficient and effective, focusing on responsible governance and strategic planning. My background in community development, combined with my governance experience, prepares me to tackle the complex issues facing our Shire. I understand the importance of balancing short-term needs with long-term vision, always keeping the public interest at heart. I promise to bring strong ethical standards, open-mindedness, and a collaborative approach. Together, we can build a thriving, inclusive Mansfield Shire that reflects the values and aspirations of all our residents. If you want a Councillor who truly gets our community and will work tirelessly for you, I'd be honoured to have your vote.

I have been very privileged to have served the residents and ratepayers of Mansfield Shire as both a Councillor and Mayor during the last four years. I seek your re-election for 2024. Mansfield is a lovely rural town, and it’s important that we keep the country vibe. As the town grows, we need to protect our unique environment and in particular protect our “grandfather” trees. It is the breathtaking surrounds and ambience that attract people to visit and live here. While it is inevitable the town will grow, it should stay firm to its roots, as a country town. I will continue to support our outlying communities. Their residents give us the best “bang for the buck” when Council supports their community driven projects. I give you the commitment that I will continue to keep the “roads, rates and rubbish” principals of Local Government and not waste money on causes that are not Council’s business. I am committed to keep Mansfield moving in a positive direction as one of the best rural Shires in Victoria. Protecting our rural environment, careful management of ratepayers’ money, listening to our residents and protecting Mansfield Shires reputation with good governance remain my highest priorities.

Having originally moved to Mansfield over 30 years ago, this community has always been my home. Whether it was riding in from Crosbys Lane to play tennis, pulling on a junior footy jumper, or early years working at the Mansfield Hotel - every corner of this region brings back such amazing memories. The region, and the people within it, have supported me for decades. After returning to live in Mansfield with my partner over 4 years ago, it is an honour to nominate as a candidate for the 2024 council elections. As a qualified Chartered Accountant, I have a strong passion for ensuring ratepayer funds are spent in the most beneficial way. I am committed to leveraging my financial experience to provide meaningful value whist ensuring key initiatives such as the ongoing roads improvement programs are delivered effectively. I believe the region is at a critical point. Although recognising the need for housing expansion, this cannot be at the expense of Mansfield’s unique character, and it must be matched by upgrades in associated infrastructure. As a local, I am committed to working with all of you, to represent your views, your needs, and your values.

Should the community continue to trust me as a Councillor, I commit to continue upholding the following values: An Inclusive and Collaborative Culture: Uphold the values of transparency, collaboration, diversity, and inclusion in every decision to create meaningful outcomes for all members our community. Adaptive Governance: Support practical land use planning and infrastructure decisions that accommodate our growing economy, population, and vibrant tourism industry. Streamline regulations for new and existing small businesses and primary producers, while preserving the qualities that make our shire a great place to live. A Resilient Community: Advocate for new ideas, skills, and resources that Mansfield Shire will need to address challenges from population growth, economic shifts, and industry pressures. Support initiatives that enhance the health and wellbeing of our community, particularly families and young people. Community Led Innovation: Empower community groups, especially in outlying townships, to take ownership of their future, fostering resilience, self-sufficiency, and ensuring our towns remain vibrant places to live, work, and visit. Efficient and Effective Council: Champion organisational and digital transformation within the Council to improve service delivery, enhance community experiences, and provide a strong voice in advocating for issues that impact our way of life to State and Federal Government.

My name is Tim Berenyi and I'm 6th generation born and raised in Mansfield, making the town not just home but family. After moving away for study and work I have recently returned and am committed to giving back to the community that created me. The place has changed for better and for worse since I was growing up; more pathways, better sporting facilities, and improvements to the parks has made the place more liveable. But we're a town built upon the beauty and abundance of the surrounding landscape, which brings tourism and holidayers. I believe we must embrace our uniqueness rather than conforming to suburban ideals and I fear that short-sighted planning puts this at risk. I grew up during the Millennium drought and can clearly remember what the place looked and felt like without snow or a lake. As a councillor I will champion actions that support local businesses, be an advocate for increased youth services, and encourage more community events that celebrate the diversity of interests that makes us Mansfield - the tiny town everyone has a connection to.