What will new council look like

By the end of this week, voting in the Council elections will close and voting will commence.

The big question is what the new council will look like. Will there be nine new faces, will some of the old council remain.

At last weeks Coast Ward Q & A nominees put their cases forward as to why residents should vote for them.

This week - The Bridge received a letter to the editor - raising issues with information given Mr Marcus McKenzie

The letters questioned Mr McKenzie’s current place of residence:

“I was intrigued by statements made by Mr Marcus McKenzie that he "resides" in Port Albert. Whilst I acknowledge there is no prerequisite for candidates to reside in the wards they are contesting, I believe it is incumbent upon candidates to be completely transparent when seeking the support of the residents of the community. My understanding is that Mr McKenzie has not lived in Port Albert for more than 12 months and has no intention of living in Port Albert into the future as the house he did live in has been (and continues to be) for sale since he relocated to Sale more than a year ago. I believe the content of the article in your paper would clearly lead residents of Port Albert, Yarram and surrounds to think Mr McKenzie is "a local within the community" which I think misrepresents the true nature of the facts. If there is time, perhaps clarity could be sought from Mr McKenzie prior to residents casting their votes?” Ant S

The other five candidates in this election come from all corners of the Coastal Ward. Cindy Madaley is a former school teacher, now speech therapist assistant, lives with her young family in Longford.

Catherine Bannerman and her husband have grown up children and have a small property at Rosedale. Catherine is a former secondary school teacher and now runs Rosedale Neighbourhood House

Robin Sidebotham resides at Tarraville. He has lived in the area all his life.

Garry Stephens is one of the current councilors seeking reelection. He resides in Yarram with wife Judy. He came to Yarram as Alberton Shire Secretary and when they alamagated to become Welllington Shire - purchased a business in Yarram. When he sold his business he was encouraged to run for council which he did successfully.

Peter Mayer now resides in Carrajung. He comes from Queensland where he worked with the State Government. He moved to Melbourne in 2009 where he took up a position with the Victorian Government. Over the past four years he has had direct interaction with Coastal Ward residents:

He managed the 2021 Australian National Census over a 3,000 sq km area of the Shire (over most of the Coastal Ward);

He has been the O-I-C of the polling booth at Woodside State School (twice) and also at Port Albert Mechanics Hall;