By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
The ballot for the Yarra Ranges council elections has now officially been closed, with many new candidates eager to shape local governance.
This year, more than 2000 candidates have stepped forward for 646 council vacancies across 466 elections, marking an increase from the 2186 candidates who vied for 622 positions in the 2020 elections.
Out of the 466 elections, 42 are uncontested, while three wards – Chandler, Lyster, and Streeton has welcomed new councillors due to the non-renomination of current members David Eastham, Johanna Skelton, and Andrew Fullagar.
Jeffrey David Marriott is one of the new candidates for Streeton Ward and his vision for his community is that it’s not just a place to live and work but a place to thrive with an emphasis on safety and strategic growth enhancing opportunities for all citizens.
“The council is basically a voice for the community, if people have issues with addressing concerns related to essential services such as waste collection and planning permits, councillors serve as advocates for those residents – to help navigate any issues the community encounters,” Mr Marriott said.
“I’ve always been community-minded and believe in supporting local groups rather than tackling everything alone – whether it’s childcare, playgroups, or sports clubs, because a strong community benefits everyone.”
During the last state election, Mr Marriott said he was nominated to do the training for the state election for the Victorian party, but they withdrew about 10 hours before the nomination deadline.
He said the party was neither left nor right, but centred – something he truly values and wants to represent if he becomes a councillor.
“I often tell people that while we need to advocate for workers’ rights, it’s important to also consider the employers who provide those jobs and that’s why I prefer a centrist approach rather than strictly left or right – I don’t believe we can fully support one without the other,” Mr Marriott said.
“It’s all about balance – if we leaned too far towards extreme green policies, we wouldn’t have enough housing, it’s simply unrealistic, we have to find a middle ground.”
“I’m not opposed to cutting down trees when necessary; it’s about achieving that balance, given my environmental background, I’ve managed parks, worked with Parks Victoria, and been involved in fire management and bushfire planning for years, which has reinforced my beliefs in this balanced approach.”
He said his top priority if elected would be what the citizens want.
“I don’t have a personal agenda for specific projects; it’s about achieving the best outcomes for the community,” he said.
One of the key issues Mr Marriott will be focusing on if he is elected is the state of local roads, especially the number of potholes.
“For me, safety is paramount, encompassing both road safety and personal safety.”
“I believe in being open and transparent, if residents have issues, they should feel comfortable approaching their councillor, who can bring those concerns to the council, while the response may not align with my personal views, it’s important that citizens receive clear and straightforward answers – I aim to avoid endless back-and-forths, we need a clear process to address concerns more effectively.”
He said his focus is not on other candidates, instead he measures himself against his own experiences.
Mr Marriott grew up on a farm and have worked in the heart of Melbourne for nearly nine years, managing emergency planning for about 30 per cent of the city’s buildings – he also handled bushfire planning across the area during his role.
“I’ve been Involved in Scouting since 1977, I helped establish the Montrose Scout Group last year, which is thriving now, I’ve always engaged in sports and have been with the Country Fire Authority since 2001, working professionally in fire management across various environments,” he said.
“I’m open to multiple perspectives, believing that we should consider the majority’s views to find the best outcomes for everyone.”
“While there isn’t one specific focus, I would say the environment is crucial. The area spans from Montrose to Upwey and Tremont, including the stunning Yarra Ranges National Park – it’s a beautiful region, but also one of the more vulnerable areas for bushfires, this is a significant concern, we need to address these environmental challenges effectively.”
“If elected, I want to visit every sporting club in the electorate at least once a year to talk to them and understand their needs because sporting clubs and community groups are the heart and soul of our community, supporting them fosters connection and positivity among our community – I believe in focusing on the positive and finding solutions, rather than dwelling on the negative.”
