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Jim Mason AM – South Bellarine Speech

Bellarine Combined Associations 08 Oct 2020

First I want to acknowledge that the Bellarine is on Customary Waddawurrung Country. I offer my respect to the Traditional Custodians - elders, past, present and emerging, and any First Nation people at this meeting tonight.

Three years ago, I said I wanted to make a useful and lasting contribution to the City of Greater Geelong, its people, culture, economy and environment. I have achieved that aim, in part.

I’ve worked hard over the last three years; led 3 portfolios, been active on 18 council committees and rarely missed a meeting.

I have built sound relationships and demonstrated resilience, integrity and stamina.

I updated my governance skills by completing the high level Australian Institute for Company Directors course.

This complements my professional skillset in international relations, humanitarian disaster recovery, civil engineering and environmental science teaching.

I know, and grew up on the Bellarine and have made a significant contribution to the natural environment and the community through my 8-year leadership of Bellarine Landcare and ongoing membership of Mannerim CFA.

I have a track record of assisting hundreds of Bellarine people.

A track Record of independence, and mainstream progressive thought based on Science and World’s Best Practice.

A track record of holding Traditional Labor Values, - Social equity, the Environment, Local business, Agriculture and Community Networks.

I’ll continue to put in and apply my skills because there’s much more to do.

I stood for and support a declaration of a climate emergency, restorative environmental management, a circular economy, where re-use is designed into a product and where Plastics and other materials are eliminated if they can’t be recycled.

Over my tenure, I was Council representative on the

  • Coastal adaption committee and the
  • Association of Bayside Municipalities

We now have planning rules for areas threatened by sea level rise. There is more to do:

  • More community education and to
  • More to Strengthen Climate and Biodiversity Policy Targets

I support ethical, transparent governance. I will support the establishment of a public register of all meetings between Property Developers, City Administration and Councillors.

I stand for a culturally safe City and the Reconciliation Action Plan

I stand for the Settlement Strategy and the intent of DAL which is to limit future growth on the Bellarine, to control and define boundaries, to protect the rural landscapes and the character of coastal and rural towns.

This also means controlling building heights within these towns, while allowing a moderate increase in Housing diversity and density.

And I will ensure backlogs of flooding, footpath, dust, and pothole problems are reviewed, prioritised or fixed.

I will support Heritage, Historical, Art, Film and literary groups.

And already Assisted many Community and Sporting Groups in Grants submissions.

I will continue to collaborate constructively with my fellow Ward Councillors and all Community Associations to ensure a fair share of the budget.

In unity there is strength. We must work closely together.

To work together for:

Improved, Mental health, Aged and Child care.

For Advancing the Bellarine link and diverting through traffic from the coastal towns

For construction of Shared Trails between Ocean Grove and Drysdale, Point Lonsdale and Portarlington.

For

  • Restoring the Natural Environment AND
  • Initiating The South East Bellarine Coastal Reserve strategy
  • Sustaining our precious Ramsar wetlands
  • An Early Community review of OG and BH sporting facilities, Sharing Community facilities, and finding a home for the BH Scouts

Working together to Ensure the Collendina Reserve and Ocean Grove Cricket Club upgrades

I will continue to Work Hard for the Bellarine.

And I will not let you down.

Concluding Statement:

I’d like to thank Phil and the members of the CBCA for their Dedication and Community Service in running this excellent forum and for working so well with us over the last three years

Thanks also to all candidates.

It takes courage and energy and personal resources to take this on.

And Commitment to Community

If elected, I’ll continue to put in, because there’s much more to do.

We need to be shovel ready and to seize opportunities,

To Make loud noises for an early implementation of the Bellarine Bypass.

Especially now during COVID recovery stimulus.

I want to do More to protect our towns, and environment.

Make More improvements to sporting, social and city services.

  • Especially in Aged and Child Care, Social Housing, Mental health and targeted COVID relief.

We need stronger climate and biodiversity Policies and targets

To find out more, please Explore my web site at http://www.jimmason.com.au

Thank you very much.