WHITTLESEA township needs a councillor who lives in the area, community leaders say.
With the Victorian Electoral Commission expected to announce two new councillor roles for the City of Whittlesea this week, it’s been hailed as a chance to seize one of those for the north.
All nine councillors live south of Findon Road.
The VEC recommended two extra councillors because of the municipality’s high projected growth, high rates of non-English speakers and economic disadvantage, and its rural component.
Whittlesea Ministries Inc secretary Ivan Peterson, who was a bushfire recovery leader, said the town needed a young, committed and energetic person to step up.
“It’s many many years, at least a decade, since we had a councillor who lived in Whittlesea township,” Peterson said.
“We need the next generation of community activists to step up.” Aged 70, he said he would not run.
Artist and activist Suzi Duncan echoed the call, but said she would not take it on. “I’ve been pushed quite hard to run but I’m not going to,” she said.
A successful campaigner for the Whittlesea childcare centre, Rae Gittos, said the need for a truly local councillor was well recognised.
She hadn’t considered running but would not discount it. “I’d have to think about it.”
The VEC will deliver its final report on April 4.
