The following candidates have expressed public interest in nominating: (This list will grow up to the close of nominations). Existing Councillors seeking re-election are marked with an asterisk before their name, ordered alphabetically based on Last name. Political affiliation is in brackets.

• Jo-Ann Hope (Victorian Socialists)
• Jenne Perlstein (ALP)
• *Adam Pulford (Greens) Instagram

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

Candidates Forum by Brunswick Residents Network

When: THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER, in the east
Where: Scout Hall, 213A Weston Street, East Brunswick
Warrk Warrk Ward 6.00–7.15PM
Randazzo Ward 7.30-8.45PM
Facebook Event to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/377982108686390/377982115353056/
This is a free Forum, but any donations are welcome and support BRN community venues.

Our regular Candidates Forums are a great chance to meet and hear from your candidates, understand their policies, and find out what they know about our local communities.

Candidates attending:
Jenne Perlstein (ALP)
*Adam Pulford (Greens)
Apologies from Jo-Ann Hope (Victorian Socialists) who had another commitment.

Chapter time stamps

Chapters: 0:00 Intro by Nic Maclellan from Brunswick Residents Network
4:48 Intro by Jenne Perstein (ALP) background, why standing
8:20 Intro by Adam Pulford (Greens), background, why restanding
11:54 Question 1: Safety, speed ratrunning are all issues both candidates mentioned. What is happening regarding 30km/hr speed limits on residential streets?
14:50 Question 2: Where abouts in the ward would you suggest a first 30km/hr speed limit trial?
16:50 Question 3: Question directed to Jenne Perlstein on ALP policy on reallocation of roadspace to increase safety for cyclists, especially those with high perceptions of safety risk, with separated infrastructure?
18:26 Question 4: On need to address graffiti
22:50 Question 5: Increased population density pressure on natural infrastructure. Question on what is happening with Merribek Nature Plan review and update?
27:05 Question 6: Do you have a How to Vote Card and who is your second Preference?
28:40 Question 7: Are you in gavour or opposed to Single Member wards?
34:00 Question 8: Spending of local developer contributions on local area.
38:40 Clarification from the Chair on lack of transparency of Developer contributions – how much, who from, where spent
40:40 Question 9: Role of making Council buildings and spaces more accessible to disabled people, including attitudinal barriers.
45:42 Question 10: Gardens on nature strips posing safety hazards and accessibility
49:08 Chair explaining BRN survey on walking with over 1,000 contributions
49:47 Question 11: Both Labor and Greens have had policies cutting residents out of the planning scheme. Where do you stand?
53:56 Question 12: Where do you stand on restoring footpath budget, increasing streetlight budget?
57:20 Question 13: What direction will Merribek take on development standards?
1:01:27 Question 14: Will you commit for Council to use more public meetings in Consultation?
1:04:10 Comment: Fleming Park Grandstand roof
1:06:20 Jenne Perstein final summary
1:08:39 Adam Pulford final summary
1:09:45 Chair – election timeline and closure

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 Plastics Pledge
Jenne Perlstein (ALP)	Yes Full Response	No Response	No response
Adam Pulford (Greens)	Yes Full Response	Yes	Yes
Jo-Ann Hope (Victorian Socialists)	No Response	Yes	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?

Jenne Perlstein: I was born and bred in Pascoe Vale South and lived in Merri – bek for a total of 55 years with the last 31 years in Brunswick East thus living in the ward I am contesting.

Adam Pulford: I love living in Merri-bek. I’ve lived here for 8 years – currently in Warrk-Warrk ward, which is the ward I’m contesting.

Jo-Ann Hope: (from CE Survey):
Why are you standing for (re)election to council? What are your top priorities if elected?
I’m standing because l think their needs to be an alternative to the status quo of what’s on offer. It’s simple the rich get richer and ordinary working people are finding it tougher than ever. If elected my top priorities are the housing crisis, infrastructure in Brunswick and making sure council stands in solidarity with Palestine.
What are three of your achievements in recent years?
Helped organise and participated in Blockade Imarc in 2019 l have been part of the Free Palestine Movement organising mobilisations every Sunday. I was part of Freedom Fridays organising protest every Friday to free the refugees from the Park Hotel.

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?

Jenne Perlstein: Yes, yes, yes

Adam Pulford: Yes, yes, yes

Jo-Ann Hope: (from CE Survey): 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.

Jenne Perlstein: Yes

Adam Pulford: 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?

Jenne Perlstein: Strongly Agree

Adam Pulford: 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?

Jenne Perlstein: Utilizing expertise 7 local input in planning & engineering to ensure safe separation of walkers, cyclists, scooter riders and cars especially on Merri Creek . I support looking into innovation to increase EV car charging stations and access to those with EV’s with on street parking; advocacy to PTV for more PT especially East -west across the municipality. Ensure adequate parking for those who depend on cars for transport, socialization caring roles ,employment. I have met with Walk Merri – bek and see that pedestrian walking access, safe & repaired paths, more pedestrian crossings, lighting are essential. That public transport needs to be advocated for to the State government, that walking cycling , scooters be promoted BUT with safety and legal adherence by riders paramount. That EV’s are promoted and with adequate accessible charging stations and innovation for cars which have only on street parking .That car share options are promoted.

Adam Pulford: We need to urgently cut emissions to stop making the climate emergency even worse. Council has a huge role to play in supporting more people to make the switch to low-emissions transport. I want Council to do more to physically change our streets and neighbourhoods to make it safer and easier for people to get around walking and riding. I also want to help bring in new low-emissions transport options for our local community, like a shared mobility scheme and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. And I want to continue to be a strong voice calling on State and Federal Governments to improve public transport for our community — so more people can get out of their cars and onto a bus, tram or train.

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)?

Jenne Perlstein: Increase greening everywhere from shopping strips to apartments, and house areas with horizontal and vertical greening, rooftop gardens, ; appropriate heat minimising colours,& building materials; increased use of water and landscaping. I would work towards all these targets as budget permits.

Adam Pulford: The climate emergency means our community is already experiencing more extreme heat events more often. Extreme heat is particularly dangerous for already vulnerable community members, including older residents and people with existing medical conditions. We need to create more green, open space and plant many more trees to help cool our community. We also need to make sure community members have easy and free access to ‘cooling centres’ during extreme heat events.

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?

Jenne Perlstein: Yes. I think this essential, as many people wish to address landfill , but may only know how though education.

Adam Pulford: We have a lot of people moving in and out of Merri-bek, and unfortunately each Council area can have different rules for which bin certain items go in depending on where and how they process waste. So Council needs to be regularly running community education programs on what goes in which bin.

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)?

Jenne Perlstein:
Implementing as many of these initiatives as possible , particularly the community education initiatives . Labor in Merri-bek will continue to protect the local environment and taking strong action on climate change including establishing and supporting CERES Environment Park. I and Labor will support Merri – bek becoming one of the first council’s to be carbon neutral.
Creeks and Waterways
• Labor will protect our local environment and support our creek corridors and ecosystems, investing in water catchment systems to prevent litter from entering our river systems. Small and affordable changes that can have big impacts, effective drain catchers and time and salary support for rubbish collectors to clean up bin spills during collections.
• Merri-bek’s waterways are a scarce and wonderful resource and their improvement has been instrumental in bringing back native flora and fauna to the area. Labor in Merri-bek will protect our creeks and waterways and create more open space along our creeks and wetlands for native wildlife to return to the creeks.
• Labor in Merri-bek will support the consolidation of open space corridors and advocate for all state-owned land along the creek corridors to be gifted to council to be permanently rezoned for open space.
• Labor in Merri-bek will complete the Edgars Creek Conservation and development plan and continue to revitalise the Moonee Ponds Creek.
• Labor in Merri-bek will continue to work with the Creeks Friends groups, believing that the most effective way of improving the creeks is to involve residents. Merri-bek is known for its pedestrian and cycle-friendly streetscapes
• I support services access close to home, in ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’ designed to suit people (rather than cars) • Renewable-powered buses, trams and trains provide a quick, reliable and affordable way to travel
• Use of electric ‘car/ride share’ services complement active travel and public transport options, helping to reduce private vehicle ownership Recognizing though, with all these positive initiatives , ideally reducing car use/ parking needs , and increse on green spaces that people will still need ( aged, those with differently abled needs , carers , where it is essential for employment , social connections ) and want to own cars but increasingly these will be EV’s and thus looking at innovations in charging vehicles for those with ‘on street’ parking. Along with Labor, I support the Brunswick Design District to evolve as Merri-bek’s first ‘zero carbon and circular economy’ precinct.
• Progress next steps of the AEF ‘Moreland Power’ pilot that is testing the feasibility of using community-owned renewable energy to deliver benefits to investors and households struggling to pay their energy bills.
Other concepts requiring further investigation include:
• Microgrids and community energy storage – potential pilot sites include CERES and Halpin Street in Brunswick West
• Solar + Battery integration and targeted Energy Demand Management (especially in areas with identified grid constraint)
•‘Passive House’ certification ‘Carbon Neutral’ certification Purchase renewable energies .. Most of the ideas in this Zero Carbon report i would support

Adam Pulford: Council should continue to provide support to low-income residents to install solar and increase energy efficiency and thermal retention in their homes. This cuts emissions and power bills for people on low-incomes. Merri-bek must also stay on top of developing technology, for example in the heavy-vehicle space, so that we can fully transition our fleet to be fully renewably-powered.

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?

Jenne Perlstein: Along with Labor, I would support Economic Development Strategy to promote environmentally sustainable jobs in the municipality and for businesses to reduce emissions in their operations revitalized our local economy and create local jobs.
• Labor will support our local traders and business community with regular programs, network events, promotion of local economy, business development investment and new businesses including shared spaces and amenities, with environmentally sustainability as a number one priority.
• Labor remains focused on the provision of council services while working with businesses to support enterprise and to develop the skills of the local workforce.
• Labor will support centers of innovation, including promoting clusters for creative arts, science and innovation, health and biomed, and information technologies.

Adam Pulford: Merri-bek has quite an active Economic Development Team that works with businesses in the city. Through this network, Council can promote environmentally sustainable jobs — as well as support businesses to apply for any applicable grants from Council, other levels of government or other groups.

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?

Jenne Perlstein: Labor and I support resilient food systems, which adopts a food system approach to help deal with climate change impacts, the rising cost of living and inequality.

Adam Pulford: Food security is increasingly important in a warmer, climate-changed world. Particularly as the climate crisis can cause disruptions to supply chains. Merri-bek has been a local government leader in food security and we recently passed our new Food Systems Strategy. I will support this strategy to be funded in our budget. We also need to better support the many food and material relief organisations who are supporting local residents through the current cost of living crisis.

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?

Jenne Perlstein: These initiatives as outlined in these reports are essential in the Climate crisis we face and i would advocate to the Council and state and federal governments for these requirements to be fulfilled

Adam Pulford: In the new Council term, I believe we should look at whether there could be changes made to our local planning scheme to help reduce clashes between sustainability measures and heritage, for example. We could also look into whether it would be possible to strengthen protection for existing solar PV systems. However, increasing density can be better for the climate and environment, so I would not want for any densification to be stopped due to existing solar systems. There have been cases where new developments can pay for the relocation of existing PV systems, so this could be another potential solution. We also need to continue to protect our existing vegetation, while planting much more.

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

Jenne Perlstein:
1. A healthy and caring Moreland
2. An environmentally proactive Moreland
3. Moving and living safely in Moreland
4. Vibrant spaces and places in Moreland

Adam Pulford:
1. Creating public, social and affordable housing in Merri-bek
2. Making our streets safer and greener for people walking, riding, rolling or driving
3. Progressing Treaty with local Traditional Owners
4. Better supporting the arts and local artists and creatives

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?

Jenne Perlstein: Support single member wards, undecided on initiatives for multi-member wards

Adam Pulford: Oppose single member wards, support initiatives for multi-member wards

Jo-Ann Hope: (from CE Survey): I oppose single member wards – council should put pressure on the state government to return to 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?

Jenne Perlstein: As a Labor candidate in the upcoming elections in Warrk Warrk , i support environmental policy implementation where ever possible to ameliorate climate change , food insecurity, promote sustainable & increased public transport , zero carbon status, car sharing, safety for walkers. cyclists , scooters and car drivers. , green and heat sustainable development . I would listen the experts and local people , but aim to advocate and lead.

Adam Pulford: Skipped

Jo-Ann Hope: (from CE survey): Link to Candidate statement https://victoriansocialists.org.au/candidates/jo-ann-hope

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:

For Warrk-Warrk ward only Adam Pulford supported the pledge as of 2 October.

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 Warrk-Warrk 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

Brunswick Voice, 23 September 2024, These 18 candidates want your vote next month https://brunswickvoice.com.au/these-18-candidates-want-your-vote-next-month/

Brunswick Residents Network Election Update https://mailchi.mp/optusnet/brunswick-residents-news-17250733

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