My name is Liz Leveridge and I’m standing for election to the Darebin City Council. I’m seeking your support to help make some positive changes in our community. With your help, my mission is to deliver affordable, if not lower, rates and better local services.
I have lived in Darebin all my life, and am married with two children. My home is here, I shop here, my kids are schooled here, and my husband coaches local football. We are a working family. I have experience in business and the health care industry, including working with the aged and those with disabilities. As such I understand the need to improve the accountability and quality of services of our Council.
I have no party affiliations and am passionate that our community comes first.
I believe local Council and our local community should not be sacrificed for party politics.
My sense of duty is to ensure our Council spends wisely and where it counts – making the lives of Darebin residents better, and providing the foundation for a thriving, diverse, and community spirited future.
What do I want to achieve if elected?
Ask the hard questions
- Why State Government decreased funding to Darebin from 50% to approximately 20% in recent times.
- How much does the state govt collect in gambling taxes in the city of Darebin – and how much is returned in the form of services to Darebin?
- Is party politics making decisions that affect our community?
Reduce costs and wastage
- Vigorously examine Council budgets, plans and expenditure to look for greater efficiencies.
Increase quality services
- Improve support services for our aged and disadvantaged residents
- Improve childcare and family services availability
- Introduce practical and meaningful services for residents (eg. re-introduce regular hard rubbish collections)
Increase State Government funding to pay for better local services – not just from rates.
- Lobby Darebin Parliamentarians to increase State Government funding to Darebin which has fallen in recent times.
Increase accountability to residents
- Twice yearly report to residents on progress - not just at election time
- Cost benefit analysis of all major Council expenditure and published on the Council website.
- Provide an open channel mechanism for residents and businesses to have their say on any Council related issues.
- Implement a consultative process with residents and businesses regarding traffic management including the new clearway proposals
Achieve a greener and better Darebin
- Conduct a Green Audit of Council to reduce costs and waste, to achieve carbon neutrality and a greener Council
- Protect our environment from unnecessary development.
- Understand the issues of the future Darebin and plan facilities appropriately.
I want to hear from you
This is your Council and as your potential representative, I want to hear from you about the issues that concern you. You should have your say and I want to listen.
Email me on liz.leveridge@optusnet.com.au or call me on 0421 331 511.
I am committed to representing you with courage and care, common sense, and with the all understanding that my experience can bring.
LIZ LEVERIDGE
4 comments:
Glad to see someone standing up for up residents, rather than the Party! Best wishes - hope you get in. We need someone to keep them honest!
Thank you Sharon C for noticing the difference and the fact that I am standing up for residents as I am one of them and the fact that you need to walk in other people's shoe to understand life.
I hope I get in too as there will be positive changes for the people of Darebin (Cazaly).
Today I also met some other residents of Darebin and chatted about what they perceive to be the council's role and how they were supported. Not a surprise but they had ideas and they were around high cost rates, rubbish, hard rubbish, more community services for the aged, accountability etc.. The fact is that it is vital for this message to go out to Council and people are not happy and they too see the "politics" especially with the election and 10 ALP confirmed members and 4 candidates without any policy for the newspaper (this will be made pubic by ballot paper)1 Independent and 1 Green candidate.
Yesterday I received a phone call from a resident whom shall be identified as being 84 years old and has lived in the area most of their life. What impressed me was that they took the time to ring me and congraulate me for running and having the best policies so far that they had seen in a council election. It was a humbling and a rewarding experience and the fact that they stated they did not have to vote but would said it all to me. I just want to re-iterate that we collectively can change things and it is important at grass root levels to send the message out that enough is enough we want the best services our community can provide for all residents and that are rates need to be affordable if not lower and I have explained where the monies are coming from which is lobbying the State Government for the funding. Thank you
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