Library funding from government
One of the skill sets of councillors is the ability to advocate and attract external funds into our city with minimal cost to ratepayers.
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An example of this is the $16.8 million dollars committed by the Victorian government through Minister of Higher Education Gayle Tierney.
The new Library and Learning Hub will be one largest infrastructure builds in our city for generations.
Due to such significant investment, Council has leveraged a government no interest loan of 2.5 million dollars to add value, South West TAFE has added their support and we were delighted when our ever generous philanthropic trusts also committed to the project.
The build is on track to be completed by mid 2022.
A significant investment of $7 million was also received from the state government for the Reid Oval development.
Its terrific that both of these projects are now starting as we emerge from COVID and will create employment and stimulus for our local economy with many local traders being employed.
And it will be fabulous to see these magnificent assets being used by our community for generations to come.
Cr Kylie Gaston, Warrnambool City Council candidate
Vote wisely, candidate says
A candidate that aspires to be part of a cooperative and collaborative council that places the community's interests above their own.
Group think and alliances can stifle good governance and creative thinking.
All the best intentions in the world are of limited value unless there is a harmonious and collegiate atmosphere at the council table.
We also need people who are independent thinkers that can respectfully challenge the status quo.
Diversity on council is crucial whether it be diversity of age, gender, work experience, ethnic background, etc
Skill sets are not just additive. When we have diversity we get a synergy or multiplication of skill bought about by the infusion of diversity.
The community needs people who will base their decisions on the best available evidence rather than being blinded by a particular ideology so that the community's interests will be uppermost in their mind.
Economic and social well being are deeply intertwined.
We need a council that will nurture both, particularly given the Covid19- induced challenging times we live in.
The local economy has been hard hit and needs support and advocacy by council.
We need a council that will also care for crucial social and environmental issues such as domestic violence, mental health, affordable housing and sustainability.
Voting wisely can give us the council we and future generations richly deserve
Dr Michael McCluskey, Candidate, Warrnambool City Council
Keep dogs out
In response to the letter from 12/9 by Carolyn Fitzgerald. I commend Warrnambool City Council for not allowing dogs (on leash) access to Warrnambool Botanic Garden and Lake Pertobe.
Being a local dog owner myself, I must disagree with Carolyn.
Unfortunately dogs can cause wildlife incredible stress (birds, possums, wallabies, flying foxes and even koalas), all of which either reside or frequent both of the above places, even if not directly attacked.
Dogs exhibit normal behaviour when they urinate on paths and vegetation and vocalise, and they can become aggressive towards other dogs, wildlife and people in these areas, even when on leash.
Some areas of our city are just not appropriate for dog walking and certain activities.
Despite this reality, there are a multitude of fantastic dog-walking spaces, on and off leash, including Albert Park, the foreshore boardwalk, Russells Creek walking paths to name just a few.
Warrnambool can still be a cosmopolitan city with beautiful unique spaces that provide sanctuary to wildlife and people, without needing to providing access to all for dogs.
Monique Ferrier, Warrnambool
Respect principles of justice
It is a possibility that the court will instruct Warrnambool City Council to re-instate former chief executive officer Peter Schneider, to his position. The sacking of the CEO defies the principles of natural justice.
The people of Warrnambool are tired of the petty politics and personal biases in which councillors have engaged for many years.
The scenario of Mr Schneider as CEO and any of those who sacked him being able to work together is fanciful.
Vote for a functional council that behaves responsibly and respects the principles of natural justice.
James Cleary, Warrnambool
Too much plastic
Why oh why then, do some groups of candidates not even know the basic planning rules and local laws (that we hope they'll uphold) that apply?
They claim to want to make our city this, that and the other ... but demonstrate the opposite with cluttered images of themselves on plastic that can't even be used as fish 'n' chip wrapper when the election is done and dusted.
One sign only to each business or property peoples.
KA Tatchell, Warrnambool
Don't deny the past
Fr Brendan Lees towing the company line on the secrecy of the confessional doesn't surprise.
What disappoints however is his failure and that of his superiors to properly acknowledge that for decades the church covered up the crimes of paedophile clergy that included information obtained from the confessional.
The Andrews government is to be applauded for now making such concealment a crime and to suggest it didn't happen in the past is denialism of the worst order
Tony Delaney, Warrnambool
Please note: The Standard prefers letters to be less than 250 words. Preference is given to shorter contributions. Letters must include the author's name, address and contact phone number for verification purposes. Letters are published at standard.net.au and in print.