By Alesha Capone
The three Wyndham councillors who represent Iramoo ward are standing in next month’s council elections.
Iramoo – which includes Werribee, Werribee South, Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes, and parts of Little River and Eynesbury – is represented by Crs Peter Maynard, Mia Shaw and Heather Marcus.
They will face competition from deputy mayor Cr John Gibbons who has represented Chaffey ward for 23 years but is now standing for Iramoo after moving to the area.
“I just think we need better representation in Iramoo, there are a few good councillors but others need a bit of a rev-up,” he said.
Star Weekly asked the councillors what they believe the most important issue facing Wyndham council is, apart from recovering from COVID-19.
Cr Gibbons said advocating for parking at train stations and projects to improve traffic were important.
Cr Maynard said there were many issues including supporting residents, businesses and sports and community groups.
“We have and should continue to ensure those at risk have contact with people, and we have been contacting those who we know about who are at risk to check they are okay,“ he said.
Cr Shaw said the two most important issues were growth and keeping up with the required infrastructure to keep building a family-friendly city, including access to kinders, schools, sporting facilities, parks and open spaces.
“Council’s challenge over the next four years will be to invest in more in our established suburbs, as well as new ones, and continue to improve our local infrastructure, including roads, footpaths, cycle paths, parks and open spaces, street lighting and more to ensure this city stays just as fantastic as it was when I was growing up here,“ she said.
Cr Marcus said she has been a business person for more than 40 years, and the council needs “to start making the right decisions and get our businesses back“.
“My community strengths are planning for the city, visual and performing arts, the environment and working with [Victoria Police] for safer communities,“ she said.
Lisa Field, who received the council’s Volunteer Award for Environment and Sustainability last year, is also standing for the Iramoo ward.
Ms Field said the most significant issue facing Wyndham is urban sprawl, which has resulted in a lack of infrastructure and services and accelerated social isolation.
“The priority needs to be an improvement to urban planning, a go local first approach, to work with local businesses and change-makers to help with these challenges,“ she said.
