Despi O'Connor
Briars Ward, Mornington Peninsula Shire

Independent Candidate, never been a member of a political party. I ran as an independent candidate in the 2022 Federal Election.

- Poor transport options, buses need to be more frequent and better connected to major activity centres along with better cycling infrastructure and improved pedestrian networks in villages. - Lack of affordable housing for key workers across health, aged care, education and tourism. Increased social and affordable housing is required to keep people on the peninsula in these roles. As well as crisis accommodation for those fleeing family violence. - Coastal erosion, inundation and poor infrastructure means that our amenities are stretched for the 8 Million visitors that holiday on the peninsula. A better relationship with the state is required to get this work done. - Improved Green Wedge Protection that ensures our farmers can make a living while producing food for Greater Melbourne into the future. - Support from the state to ensure enough preschool places for our young families. As kindergarten hours are increased, old facilities are being stretched to accommodate the number of families in need of places. Preschool places not only support early education opportunities for our children but also support to ensure parents can return to work. - Higher education options so that locals can be upskilled and employed across a range of industries on the peninsula. - Encourage renewable energy opportunities and recycled water so that the region can plug into renewables that benefit our regions small businesses and residents.

I am a teacher and have worked previously in local government. I have management, organisational and communication skills that allow me to build relationships and connections to get things done. My experience as mayor provided me with opportunities to build relationships with ministers and officers, make connections and support my community to raise awareness on what was needed on the peninsula. To ensure good governance and functionality councillors will need to work together to find the right balance for the community on the peninsula.

Yes absolutely. It will need to be done in a sensitive way to ensure sustainability through the region including making sure there is a mix of housing including social and affordable options.

The MPSC is on track through C219 to meet targets for housing of 1200 homes per year. Advocacy for the re-zoning of port related land will better support this goal. To make it easier for home builders council can improve planning services outcomes to ensure that wait times are significantly decreased. The amendment C219 will also help in this area as streamlining of zones makes it easier for those wishing to build to make decisions. Local Government will need to pull all levers to make sure that a mix of housing is available including social and affordable housing, and 1 and 2 bedroom homes. This will mean putting to the state planning scheme amendments that support this goal. In parts of Sydney and Melbourne developers are already paying a levy towards social and affordable housing, this is an opportunity for MPS to have a different conversation with the state government. One that has never been had before. Up until the 80s public housing housing was built by the federal government across the nation. But this was soon privatised and left to the market, making housing speculative. This has certainly dismantled the housing market making it almost impossible for a young person to buy their first home. Council can also, and is already, leasing land to NFP housing providers who will build housing for women and children fleeing family violence. I will continue this work.

Absolutely, our region needs upgrades to the Rosebud Hospital. MPSC need to continue to work with PH to develop this advocacy to ensure funding come through to the region. Making the case for the hospital would be a good start. With 8M visitors a year we always see increases in the emergency department. Utilising the statistics will help support a funding bid.

I am a feet on the ground councillor, I pick up the phone, answer emails and meet constituents where they are at. I have worked hard over the past four years for my community. I can build relationships and create connections to get things done. I have an excellent track record of working hard for my community across sporting groups, kinders, schools, bushland reserve groups and forming a basketball club. Over the term I have been able to change the course of council to create bike jumps for our young people, bring music to the peninsula and increase advocacy to make the case for social and affordable housing on the peninsula.

To ensure functional zero homelessness, improve infrastructure for community facilities, coastal amenities, strengthen green wedge protection and safer roads and access for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

This is an important relationship in creating connections with those who can positively influence this region, including business owners, large organisations and not for profits. Working together to garner political support from state and federal levels of government.

 I look forward to continuing this relationship into the future so that together we can better support the region.