Warrnambool City Council election candidates

I am running as your representative in Central Ward. I have lived in the central business district my entire life and my vision is to ensure that Warrnambool remains a premiere city of Victoria. Warrnambool is a great place to live, raise your family and do business. I served on Council several years ago and look forward to the possibility of representing you again. Many will know me as a genuine, honest and straight-talking person and a responsible local citizen. I have demonstrated my commitment to tackling public issues and insist on proper and open accountability and transparency. I have a strong work ethic and will bring extensive business experience and knowledge to the Council table. The possibilities for Warrnambool are endless and considering the difficult economic times we are faced with, it will be challenging for all Councils across the state to deliver both large and small projects. It will be important for this next Council to make balanced and considered decisions to help navigate our city through tough times. I strongly support open consultation with our community in the development of the next four year strategic plan whilst ensuring rate levels can be within affordable and reasonable limits.

My name is Debbie Arnott, and I have proudly served as a councillor for Warrnambool City over the past four years, including one year as Deputy Mayor and one year as Mayor. During my tenure, we have accomplished significant milestones for our community, the completion of a world-class Library and Learning Centre, the construction of the new Edwards Bridge, the development of a new playspace at Lake Pertobe. We have planning for a reimagined Flagstaff Hill as well as Acquazone, and are nearing the completion of the West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House. Additionally, we have begun the development and delivery of the Brierly Reserve and embarked on a groundbreaking partnership to deliver a Key Worker and Affordable Housing project, the first of its kind in Victoria.I am running in the Central Ward, where I have been a business owner for nearly 30 years. I am deeply passionate about fostering new business development, promoting our city, and expanding our tourism opportunities. As Warrnambool continues to grow as a regional city, we must provide strong leadership in the region. I am dedicated to maintaining a cohesive, effective council and ensuring the financial stability and transparency that our community deserves. Vote 1 Debbie Arnott

I am standing for council in the Hopkins River ward because I believe in participating in the community and in giving back to the community. This ward is large and diverse, comprising both urban and rural living and light industrial use. Each having their own needs. On Aberline Road, within this ward, two child care centres are being developed and across the road the Brierly Community Centre is also under development, a sports field with lighting has already been completed. These projects will be great for the city, but will forever change the nature of this precinct. In Allansford, the Zeigler Parade bridge has been closed to heavy vehicles for too many years. This forces these vehicles into the township creating unnecessary risks for pedestrians and other motorists. The heavy vehicles are also damaging secondary roads at great cost to the city and are seriously impacting local residents. These are just two examples of issues confronting this ward. You have the opportunity to elect a councillor to represent you at council. I have the time and the energy, I am trained and I am committed. I believe that I am the person you need to represent you at council.

I am running as your representative in Hopkins River Ward. I am a resident of Allansford and have been for over 28 years and it is important to me that people living in the Hopkins Ward have a voice in Council. I am passionate about our city and want to see it thrive and prosper for the future. I chose to raise my family here, and my children attended local schools and I owned and operated small businesses in Warrnambool. I have a strong work ethic and care about the issues that face working people including the affordability of rates, and the lack of housing. My experience in business, community organisations and on the local Planning Advisory Committee, will bring skills and knowledge to advocate for logical and practical solutions to improve building and road infrastructure for Warrnambool. These include upgrades to the Ziegler Parade bridge and Mortlake Road roundabout, footpaths, and the creation of a new aquatic centre. I am committed to better transparency within Council, and greater community consultation to achieve real results, based on real needs, to improve the whole of Warrnambool and create opportunities for all. Vote 1 Willy Benter. Mobile: 0419 547 548. Email: willybenter1968@gmail.com

As a family man who grew up in Warrnambool, I have a deep love for our town and its people. Having witnessed our council continually increase rates and its on-going struggle to manage and fund new projects effectively, I am compelled to step up and make a difference. I have seen firsthand how the current councilors seem to struggle with balancing budgets and securing grants for new initiatives. Instead of intelligent, strategic thinking, the approach often seems to involve continuous rate hikes without addressing the core issues. My vision for Warrnambool is one where the Council can cut unnecessary costs and redirect funds to areas that truly need them. I believe in leveraging smart, innovative solutions to manage our finances more effectively. By focusing on efficiency and intelligent cost management, we can ensure that every dollar is spent wisely and that critical projects receive the support they deserve. I am committed to bringing fresh, forward-thinking ideas to Council, ensuring that our town not only maintains its charm but thrives with well-managed resources and a clear focus on our community’s needs. With your support, I aim to create a more responsive and responsible Council that works for all of us.

Having served as a Warrnambool City Councillor for 3 terms I will bring to our new council, experience, vision and passion. At present our council seems to be directionless and removed from our community. There is a desperate need for an operational review and restructure within council to find efficiencies which will lessen the financial rate burden on our citizens. The ever increasing rate burden without operational change is unacceptable. WCC signed the Climate Emergency Declaration yet our council has done precious little to play its part in dealing with global warming. Have the parking issues in and around the CBD been addressed and rectified to your satisfaction? Has the vehicle congestion within the CBD been assessed and addressed? Has the council dealt with safety issues within our city? Has the council installed infrastructure to make it safer to allow bike riders and pedestrians a safer passage throughout our city thus minimising the reliance on vehicles? I believe the council has a major role in advancing infrastructure which allows citizens to become healthier people. If elected I will bring a strong, passionate voice to council and will represent all citizens living in Wonderful Warrnambool. Vote 1 Peter Hulin.

As a dedicated and experienced candidate for Warrnambool City Council, I am committed to excellence in practice and maintaining good governance in our ever-changing environment. My goal is to empower our community, ensuring that everyone lives in a society that respects their inherent dignity and potential. With a comprehensive career history, I have developed strong skills in administration, communication, and team management. I have a proven track record of advocating for residents, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with regulations. My previous roles, including serving as a Warrnambool City Councillor and holding leadership positions within various organisations, have equipped me with deep understanding of community needs and effective policy implementation. As a long-term Pertobe resident and active community member, I have served in various governance and director roles. My academic background, with degrees in law and nursing, combined with practical experience in finance and corporate governance, equips me with a unique perspective to address our community’s needs. My vision is to build a strong, democratic, and prosperous workplace, community, and region. I am passionate about serving Warrnambool, ensuring it remains a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking city. Your support will enable us to work together towards a brighter future for all residents.

I am running for local council to ensure that Warrnambool’s growth is well-managed and its future is bright. My focus is on making sure infrastructure and services, particularly in critical areas such as childcare places and housing, keep pace with the development our community is experiencing. I am deeply committed to the ongoing, sustainable management of the Warrnambool foreshore, which is the jewel in our city's crown. We must innovate and align its care with the community's expectations. As your representative, I will operate under the principles of good governance, prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making. I believe that the decisions made for our city should be well-thought-out and supported by data, ensuring that financial resources are used properly to maximize value and minimize waste. My goal is to serve Warrnambool with a long-term vision that benefits both current and future residents, providing the leadership our city needs to thrive. I would be honored to have your support as we work together to make Warrnambool the best it can be. Leanne Williams

Welcome! 2024 Warrnambool City Council nominee statements. I would like to again put forward my nomination to the Platypus Park Ward. Knowing the importance of community engagement, nominees will express their interest and concerns to you. I will keep my statement brief and focused, as problem-solving community members enquiries are of extreme importance. I myself would like to seek your assistance in any way to providing open information of the operations within councils priorities to you, events and community as a whole. Importantly your opinions count and respect the values of the Warrnambool City Council. I have been a local member of the community for 45 years and knowingly would welcome your vote to these elections. Pathways made available to me with assisting with numerous volunteering activities. Focusing on the importance of road safety issues is my primary priority to you, investigate to decrease speed limits, intersection alterations around the hospital precinct. Supporting the development of new adventures and activities that could highlight the importance of social inclusion and cultural diversity. Knowingly I would like to proceed further with how your concerns are addressed and returned to you with the outcomes with feedback. Thank you for reading my statement.

Our community needs a trusted, experienced, local representative who understands what is important to our city. I am asking, therefore, for your endorsement to serve as your councillor in Platypus Park Ward. Over the past council term, I have served as Mayor, Deputy Mayor, committed councillor and community leader. I am a lifelong resident of Warrnambool, and a former resident of West Warrnambool. As the founder of Peter’s Project, I united our community to build our amazing Cancer Centre here in Warrnambool. I am proud of working together and achieving positive outcomes. Platypus Park has a diverse, vibrant community with a range of priorities that need to be addressed. I will work together with the residents to understand what is most important, and advocate for these projects. My vision is for a thriving, inclusive city with quality services and opportunities for all. The West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House will soon have a dedicated home and will be key in providing programs and services that responds to community needs. Re-elect me, as your councillor, and together, let's shape a brighter future for our community, advocating for better services not only in Platypus Park, but across the city. Vote 1 Vicki Jellie