THERE might be another five months before Wyndham residents cast their vote for candidates in the next municipal election, but that hasn’t stopped two residents from announcing their intention to contest for a council seat.
Hoppers Crossing’s Bro Sheffield-Brotherton and Werribee’s Eilis Hughes will stand for election in the Chaffey and Iramoo wards respectively. They will represent the Greens.
It will be the first time either has stood for local government, although Mr Sheffield-Brotherton ran against Tarneit MP Tim Pallas in the 2010 state election.
Ms Hughes, who moved to Werribee four years ago to raise her young family, said she was running for council because she was committed to making Wyndham a great place to live.
“I am passionate about my local community. I am the type of person who joins the committee of every group I am a member of. I love Wyndham and I believe it is a good place to live, but I think the council could be more responsive to the community and more active,” she said.
Mr Sheffield-Brotherton, who grew up in Point Cook and has lived in Hoppers Crossing for three years, said he would listen to the needs of the community.
“I am connected to the local community and I am passionate about the issues affecting Wyndham. We are committed to trying to win. We are not just running to make up the numbers,” he said.
While Ms Hughes and Mr Sheffield-Brotherton are yet to decide on their campaign platforms, they agree that starting early will allow them to canvass the opinion of as many residents as possible. “I want to talk to people to find out what their concerns are, but I won’t just be standing on those issues. I will also raise things I believe in,” Ms Hughes said.
Nominations for council elections open on September 20.
