The following candidates have nominated. Existing Councillors seeking re-election are marked with an asterisk before their name, ordered alphabetically based on Last name. Political affiliation is in brackets.

• Natalie Abboud (Independent) Instagram
• Jacob Andrewartha (Socialist Alliance) Instagram
• Anthony Helou (Independent)
• Daniel de Lorenzis (Independent)
• Jasmine Duff (Victorian Socialists)
• Kenna Morrison (Greens) Instagram
• Suzan Saka (ALP) Instagram

Candidates Forum | Climate Survey | Stop Burning Plastic | Streets People Love | Waterways

Climate and Sustainability surveys and Pledges

Climate Action Merribek conducted a local tailored survey sent to all 55 candidates in all wards. Vote Climate also issued a survey on the Climate Emergency to all candidates across all Councils in Victoria. Stop Burning Plastic issued a pledge survey to all candidates across all Councils in Victoria. We undertook to compile results for Merri-bek of all 3 surveys. We followed our initial email up with a reminder to complete all 3 surveys.

One key assessment point is whether candidates respond, which provides one indicator how they may engage with constituents. If a candidate doesn’t respond, whether positive or negative, maybe you should not put them high on your preferences.

Name	Local Climate Survey	Climate Emergency Survey	Stop Burning Plastic Pledge
Nat Abboud (IND)	Yes, Full Response	Yes	Yes
Suzan Saka (ALP)	Yes, Full Response	No Response	No Response
Kenna Morrison (Greens)	Yes, Full Response	No Response	Yes
Jacob Andrewartha (Socialist Alliance)	No response	Yes	Yes
Jasmine Duff (Victorian Socialists)	No response	No response	No response
Daniel de Lorenzis (IND)	No response	No response	No response
Anthony Helou (IND)	No response	No response	No response

Merri-bek Climate Survey

Q4. Connections to Merri-bek Wards. Outline your connection to Merri-bek, do you live in the ward you are contesting, do you work in that ward? What are your other connections to the Merri-bek community?

Nat Abboud: I live in the Pentridge ward. I run a business in Warrk Warrk Ward.

Suzan Saka: I do work in that ward and I live in the Merri-bek Council.

Kenna Morrison: While Brunswick gets a lot of attention I believe that Coburg is the heart of Merri-bek and needs a lot more attention, even though I live a little south of Pentridge.

Q5. Climate Emergency. Merri-bek Council declared a Climate Emergency in September 2018. Do you accept the research evidence from climate scientists and the UN Secretary General that:
(a) the earth is already too hot and we are outside the safe climate zone?
(b) we face a climate emergency?
(c) local cooling is required to prevent runaway warming?

Nat Abboud: Yes, Yes, Yes

Suzan Saka: Yes, Yes, Unsure

Kenna Morrison: Yes, Yes, Yes

Q6. Governance and Triple bottom line accounting brings to account three domains that we need for a good life. They are economic, social and environmental sustainability. In the past projects have been delivered based on organisational silos often not considering other aspects outside the silo. Will you endeavour as a Councillor for Council to use triple bottom line accounting on all Council infrastructure decisions to ensure that climate emergency priorities are embedded in Council decisions? Note that triple bottom line is already encapsulated in the Local Government Act 2020 Section 9, 2b and 2c for good Council governance.

Nat Abboud: Yes

Suzan Saka: Yes

Kenna Morrison: Yes

Q7: Transport: Upfield Rail Upgrade – Problems with parking and traffic congestion, capacity issues of public transport need solutions for upgrading the Upfield Line. According to Infrastructure Australia, the northern region Transport Corridor will reach and exceed capacity in the next decade. Do you support the Northern Councils Alliance campaign to Connect Melbourne’s North for duplication and extension of the Upfield rail line to Craigieburn and Wallan for provision of a more reliable and frequent rail service catering for the growing population in Merri-bek and residents in new growth suburbs further north?

Nat Abboud: Strongly Agree

Suzan Saka: Agree with Reservations

Kenna Morrison: Strongly Agree

Q8: Transport: Mode shift – What actions will you be pushing for to facilitate a mode shift to more sustainable modes of transport in Merri-bek as part of, or beyond, Moving Around Merri-bek Strategy (PDF), including increasing safety for walking and cycling and increasing public transport advocacy?

Nat Abboud: Better walking and riding infrastructure, particularly in the Pentridge and southern wards.

Suzan Saka: I will promote more sustainable transportation options, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Additionally, I will support initiatives that enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and the broader community.

Kenna Morrison: There’s so much that needs to be done to improve movement around Merri-bek! Accessibility for all is important and Council can help with appropriate parking and strong advocacy for public transport, including busses as well as trams. Council plays a major role in ensuring safe footpaths and bike routes as well as traffic calming. On the very narrow residential streets where cars need to pull over to let a car coming the other direction pass we should be pushing for a 30km/h speed limits as well as reduced speeds on major roads, especially Murray Rd. The Upfield train line and bus connections need strong advocacy. I could go on for ages, but let’s leave it here.

Q9. Heat Vulnerability: Large sections of Merri-bek’s north are at the extreme end of the Heat Vulnerability Index, meaning residents are very susceptible to global warming extreme heat events. What will you do to address this beyond exisiting policies, including Merri-bek Urban Heat Island Effect Action Plan (PDF), Merri-bek Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2017 (PDF), Cooling the Upfield Corridor Action Plan 2018-2028 (PDF)?

Nat Abboud: I strongly support the existing plans. I think we could do more with the Food systems strategy encourage growing edibles(not necessarily heat related but important for access to food with low food miles) and I think we could do better with shading of public areas (especially those used by dog owners) and provision of better public cool spaces for respite during heatwaves such as better shading in public areas like the Coburg Mall.

Suzan Saka: I am not sure.

Kenna Morrison: These are all good documents and I support them all. In terms of additional steps, I’m not a fan of having trees tightly pollarded. Where possible I’d like to see canopy trees extending further across footpaths and roads, even where there are trams. Park St in St Kilda is an example. Another small action is that I’ve noticed in many parts of Merri-bek some footpaths are excessively wide, so I’d like to see more nature strips introduced, reducing the amount of bitumen or concrete. Mown grass is not huge contributor to cooling, but it’s an improvement. Council could work with Ceres to help residents with other low height planting as well.

Q10. Waste Management. Merri-bek aims to be a leading council in sustainable waste management. What will you do to help Merri-bek in educating citizens on waste streams , to achieve Merri-bek’s 2030 zero waste to landfill target as part of Zero Carbon in the Planning Scheme – ESD Policy v2.0?

Nat Abboud: People need to see, as I have done, how the Veolia recycling facility works and see what happens to the end product. They need to understand the perils of proposals such as the Wollert incinerator and understand what it will mean to us down wind and down stream if something goes horribly wrong if the incinerator is allowed to be built. People need to understand how important procurement of recycled products is and how to aim to quit plastic. People need better education of the impact of plastic waste on our local waterways.

Suzan Saka: Multicultural communities often don’t fully understand waste disposal. They need information and education in their own languages, along with community outreach. A letter alone is not enough to educate these communities.

Kenna Morrison: Merri-bek, often in association with neighbouring Councils seems to be heading in a positive direction. I oppose waste incineration. In my doorknocking I meet many residents who don’t seem to fully understand the 4 bin collection system, which fosters opposition. Council needs to communicate better with residents about this.

Q11. Energy Efficiency and Renewables. Merri-bek has a goal of “Efficient and 100% renewably powered energy”. How can Merri-bek “walk the talk” on renewable energy and meet the community goals set in the Zero Carbon Merri-bek – Climate Emergency Action Plan 2020/21 – 2024/25 (PDF)?

Nat Abboud: Merri-Bek can always do more to help residents to access pathways to getting off gas or transitioning to clean energy. I think it would be valuable to encourage more sharing of local stories of how people are becoming more efficient in our local communities. Maybe we need to hold some fora like we have done in the past to inspire and educate community members about opportunities to transition. I think there needs to be more carrot and less stick in the conversation. We need to understand what the barriers are rather than expecting people to just DO MORE and shaming people who haven’t or haven’t been able to take it on for whatever reason. We need to make it more fun to try like what happened with the Green Mile project or war on waste.

Suzan Saka: Community members and the council can make efficient use of renewable energy in their buildings. They can support the community by providing funding for infrastructure and leadership. The council can take the lead by serving as a role model. Community outreach, along with educational programs, can be organised by the council. Merri-bek Council is one of the most diverse councils, which is why it’s important to inform communities in their own languages.

Kenna Morrison: This is a good policy which I support, and good steps seem to be being made. A small aspect of this is that in many cases EVs also contribute to less noise, so I’m particularly looking forward to electric garbage trucks and other heavier vehicles. Can we also incentivise electric cranes on large construction sites rather than diesel?

Q12. Supporting business and the environment. What actions will you take to help the Council promote environmentally sustainable jobs in the municipality and for businesses to reduce emissions in their operations?

Nat Abboud: Similar to the Green Mile, there is opportunity for eco dev to facilitate a conversation about how business is already doing this in many ways. As someone who has co owned a business for almost two decades we have just transitioned off gas at our restaurant. We have an important story to tell about that but there are other businesses who are making changes because it actually makes important financial sense as well as being better for the environment. The eco dev team at council are thriving with over 1000 members and a strong women’s network. They are leaders in the field for how businesses can share stories and I think that there is an opportunity for them to partner with other LGA eco dev or even the business networks of other groups (say a sporting code like Carlton In Business) to deliver opportunities for knowledge sharing to help people move forward and create cleaner industries.

Suzan Saka: I will support the implementation of the Economic Development Strategy to revitalize our local economy, create jobs, and promote environmental sustainability. I am committed to assisting local traders and the business community by offering regular programs, networking events, promoting the local economy, fostering business development, attracting investment, encouraging new businesses, and advancing sustainable practices.

Kenna Morrison: W can continue to support Solar Savers https://solarsavers.org.au/how-it-works/ and Zero Carbon Merri-bek? https://zerocarbonmerri-bek.org.au/energy-switch/solar-and-energy-improvements-for-your-business/ . I’d like to explore the possibility of other assistance and priority with planning and other Council services.

Q13. Food Security. How would you build community resilience and address food security in Merri-bek beyond the existing Merri-bek Food System Strategy 2024 – 2027 (PDF)? How do you think Council could further support culturally relevant and nutritionally rich food to diverse and vulnerable communities?

Nat Abboud: This is something I am really passionate about and I think we are missing some really important opportunities in our open space to be growing a LOT more food in the public realm. Our food systems strategy has missed an opportunity to connect all the growers in our community in a meaningful way in my opinion. We need to understand that the north of the city has greater need for fresh local produce and less time to grow it and that some food gardens exist to facilitate the need for connection and social interaction. There are parklands in other states where there are citrus groves and big herb gardens that are available for the public. I believe that the food systems strategy should include funding for a role from open space so that we can actually have boots in the garden and not just theory in the halls. I think that until we do this and more, we will not see what we should in terms of food growing in our city and that as long as we don’t we will not thrive in the long term as our peri urban farmland is decimated for cheap housing with inadequate community facilities and transport routes.

Suzan Saka: Engage with Community Leaders, Support Local Food Initiatives, Promote Nutritional Education I will also advocate for state and federal efforts to ensure future food security.

Kenna Morrison: Food is obviously essential for out life! This is a good document I support it. Council needs to be engaged with people in the community in developing local resources and can also assist with access to space for community gardens. Support for services facilitating access to quality food for all needs active work from Council as well.

Q14. Buildings, Biodiversity and Urban cooling: What would you do as a Councillor to ensure that with new building developments, Merri-bek residents have protection from overshadowing existing solar PV systems, and that Merri-bek has sufficient vegetation cover to contribute to biodiversity outcomes, urban cooling, and water sensitive urban design beyond existing policies in the Urban Forest Strategy (PDF), Merri-bek Nature Plan, and the Achieving Zero Carbon in the Planning Scheme – ESD Policy v2.0?

Nat Abboud: This is a very complex issue and I think it’s hard to answer unless it’s on a case by case basis. In some instances we need greater development along the activity and transport corridors but this will mean change which can sometimes be very hard to cop. A visit to the outskirts of Melbourne to see the sprawl and poor quality development is a terrifying indication of what we can expect if we can accommodate some more density in our neighbourhoods. I believe there are good examples or acceptable denser living arrangements that exist but I also see some that is really average.

Suzan Saka: Skipped

Kenna Morrison: What a huge topic! I love the urban Forest Strategy and support the aspirations in the Nature Zero Carbon Plans. Overshadowing is a difficult topic. Wherever possible overshadowing should be avoided, but there are times when the net benefit of a new structure can be greater than the benefit of the impact on the general amenity and PV systems of affected sites. In these situations relevant compensation needs to be considered.

Q15. What are your top four priorities for the Council Plan, to be formulated for 2025-2029.

Nat Abboud:
1. A more collaborative conversation.
2. Better transparency and information sharing.
3. A new look at the budget with new ideas about allocation of funds even for a year or two
4. Identify and resolve some of the small local issues.

Suzan Saka:
1. Affordable Housing Action Plan
2. Revitalizing Coburg Central
3. Moving and living in livable open spaces
4. Continue to implement the reformed kerbside waste service

Kenna Morrison:
1. Safety in all aspects of living in Merri-bek, including buildings footpaths and roads.
2. Council engagement with the residents and businesses to build trust.
3. The environment, including roads and rubbish, but also parks and natural spaces
4. Social Services, including children’s and aged care, libraries, etc.

Q16. Democracy and representation: advocacy to State Government on multi-member wards versus single member wards. The state government has imposed single-member wards on Merri-bek against the recommendation of the council, the Local Government Association of Victoria, and even the Victorian Electoral Commission. This shift in electoral structure is an imposition by the parliament, not a choice of experts.

Do you support or oppose single-member wards?

If (re)-elected will you initiate and/or support measures to pressure the state government to return to multi-member wards?

Nat Abboud: Undecided on single member wards, undecided on multi-member wards
Comment: I was the Mayor when the consultation happened with the member for LG and told him how we thought it was a bad idea. I made a submission to the ward boundaries and spoke to my submission. I am prepared to work with what we have and see how it goes. As an independent candidate, if I am elected I feel that if I am elected it will show that the ward size is irrelevant if the representation is meaningful. My goal is to be an active Cr who is answerable and available to the whole ward even if I don’t agree with what I’m being asked to consider. We all have a lot to learn about each other. I want to lean in to that idea.

Suzan Saka: Undecided on single member wards, undecided on multi-member wards

Kenna Morrison: Oppose single member wards, support initiatives for multi-member wards

Q17. Do you have any other comments on Climate Leadership and Advocacy by Council? Do you have any supplementary comments relating to the questions above, comments on other issues related to climate resilience and climate adaptation, or comments on making decisions for the whole municipality?

Nat Abboud: The new council needs to show each other a bit of respect and understand that it’s a big diverse city and we have very different needs and expectations. I’m feeling optimistic about the future.

Suzan Saka: No

Kenna Morrison: You’ve covered a huge range of topics here! I’m always keen to engaging with individuals, businesses and groups on any of these topics. kenna.morrison@vic.greens.org.au

Stop Burning Plastic Pledge

The Stop Burning Plastic pledge not to burn waste. Merri-bek already has a Council policy not to use Waste to Energy Incinerators and to progress to zero waste to landfill by 2030. (see section 4.6.3 of Council Waste and Litter Strategy 2018) . Cleanaway is presently proceeding with an EPA Victoria development licence for a Waste to Energy Incinerator at Wollert. Signing this pledge commits to continuing present Council policy direction regarding sustainable circular economy waste management. Note: A week ago Minister for Climate Action and Energy Lily D’Ambrosio (Mill Park), Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny and Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage supported the community in opposing Cleanaway’s Waste to Energy Incinerator. (Facebook Post) This is a statewide pledge:

Three candidates in Pentridge Ward supported the Stop Burning Plastic Pledge: Kenna Morrison, Nat Abboud and Jacob Andrewartha.

Jacob Andrewartha commented: Socialist Alliance is opposed to any attempts by corporations and business to impose waste incinerators in outer suburban areas that negatively impact on the well-being and the natural environment. We believe that investment should be directed towards safer solutions that don’t impede on the rights of residents. We stand with residents across different localities of Melbourne opposing the development of waste incinerators.

Nat Abboud commented: This is not a new position for me. I will continue not to support burning waste as I have always done.

Streets People Love Candidate Scorecard

The Streets People Love campaign has created scorecards for candidates in the 2024 council elections in Victoria. Scorecards have been generated based on a candidate’s engagement with the Streets People Love campaign, their commitment to our pledge, their responses to a survey and input from campaign members located in the local government area in which they are running. The local community groups running this scorecard in the City of Merri-bek are Walk on Merri-bek and Merri-bek Bicycle Users Group Inc.

Streets People Love Pentridge ward candidate Scorecard .

Waterways – Vote for Merri Creek

Friends of Merri Creek have surveyed candidates in all wards. The Merri Creek corridor is iconic and questions of sustainability, pollution and biodiversity should be a municipal wide concern to all candidates. The survey is focussed on Merri Creek, Edgars Creek and Coburg Lake, and neglects Merlynston Creek and Campbellfield Creek tributaries. It also ignores the importance of Moonee Ponds Creek and tributaries such as Westbreen Creek on the western side of the municipality, which may provide a reason why candidates from western wards like Djirri-Djirri and Pascoe Vale South did not respond to the survey.

See Friends of Merri Creek 2024 election guide for six Councils in the Merri Creek Catchment.

View the Candidate responses for Merri-bek wards (PDF) for candidate comments.

Q1: Are you concerned about the protection and restoration of the Merri Creek, Edgars Creek and Coburg Lake? If so, what concerns you the most? (100 word limit)

Q2: What action do you plan to take in your role as Councillor – if any – to increase waterway protection and restoration activities along the Merri Creek, Edgars Creek and Coburg Lake? (100 word limit)

Q3: Briefly outline how as a Councillor, you will respond to three of the following threats to the health of the Merri Creek, Edgars Creek and Coburg Lake: (75 word limit per threat)

• Development encroachment
• Pollution, litter and sediments carried by stormwater drains
• Illegal dumping and littering
• Spread of problematic weeds
• Loss, degradation and reduced connectivity of habitat
• Irresponsible pet ownership

References

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