My husband Campbell and I have raised two wonderful daughters in our Middle Park home.
We have been through all the usual council associated experiences you have in life, from home renovations to the staggering growth in the cost of our rates over the years.
For years, I trusted that the Council had the same beliefs and standards as myself. Soon after the RATE CAP was brought in about 4 years ago, my husband and I met with two Councillors and the CFO to show them the analysis of our rates for the past 20 years. Our aim was to point out that the new rates system was not equitable and not sustainable.
We were experiencing 8% compound growth on our rates, and with this planned to continue, most of our income would one day be going to the Council.
We were simply told that they could do nothing and to think about reverse mortgaging our property.
I looked more into the runnings of the Council and attended Council meetings. At this point I discovered where the money was being spent, and to our shock much of it appeared to be wasteful spending on politically driven projects and budgeting for an excessive Council workforce and consultants rather than on community needs. The lack of transparency and accountability was also alarming.
As individuals, I discovered that our concerns fall on deaf ears but as a group we can have a presence and make our voices heard.
- Despite the extra costs each year we see a decline of services in the municipality
- Less parking availability
- More expensive parking fees and fines
- Shopping strips becoming dead zones
- An increase in the homeless and drug affected in the streets
What has happened to the lovely place my kids grew up in?
Our council has a duty of care to provide safety, amenity and vibrancy to the local community.
Where is the responsibility and respect to both the residents and the traders who create an engaging and welcoming community.
Our council needs to be held accountable for the decisions being made and how those decisions have burdened us with an increasing cost of living.
I am running as a candidate endorsed by the Ratepayers of Port Phillip who are a community group of locals concerned about local issues. RoPP have members from all over the community who have a common belief that Council should drive agendas to:
- Represent the community
- Promote fiscal responsibility and
- Demand ratepayer funds are used for local Council services and amenity
With the support of the Ratepayers of Port Phillip and the community I will drive better decisions at Council.
As a mathematician, I have spent my whole working life on environment related issues, building strategies and programs to help predict and manage the environment and weather for the Bureau of Meteorology, Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies (ANU) and the National Centre for Rural Fire Research. This has provided me the experience to handle complex issues and find common sense solutions.
We need a Council to deliver cost efficiencies and accountability, as well as sensible and practical engagement between the ratepayers, residents, traders and Council.
I am your councillor to deliver this council back to the residents.
To continue the conversation with Christina and any concerns you have in your neighbourhood, go to https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaSirakoffRoPP/
