Ebden Ward - 2024 Bayside Council Election

Overview

We asked candidates for the Bayside Ward of Ebden some questions, hoping to learn about their level of support for our local native wildlife. Here are their answers.

We also have responses from other Wards.

In our opinion, the following candidates provided responses broadly supportive of our local native wildlife:

  • Laurence Evans
  • Clifford Maillard

The following candidates provided their own statements:

The following candidates were sent the questions but did not respond:

  • Janet Abadee
  • Calista Clements
  • Ian Cochrane
  • Matthew Kaplan

The following candidates did not supply any contact details to the Victorian Electoral Commission:

  • Timothy David Watts

 

Please read the responses below for more detail about each candidate's level and type of support for native wildlife.

 

The Responses

Question 1

Does Bayside have any natural areas/places or flora or fauna that you particularly appreciate?  Where are they? How and why do you appreciate them?

Laurence Evans - The natural areas that I appreciate most are the foreshore areas around my residence being Edward Street and Half Moon Bay areas- I also have a fondness for Cheltenham Park and surrounding areas which was truly loved by our residents during the pandemic. I also visit Yalukit Willam on occasions- as your group would well know my 'Championing' in the initial stages of this transformation from a golf course to a Nature Reserve.

Clifford Maillard - Cheltenham park has plenty to see and enjoy. From the duck pond to the sealed off native fauna area. It’s one of the best walks from Chelt Stn / Charman Rd to Olympic ave where I live. I am also lucky as I have Pennydale park in my street too and the Tawny frogmouths are still there.! Ssshh it’s a local secret🙂.

 

Question 2

What are the most important values/benefits of Bayside’s natural (as opposed to built) environment to the Bayside community?

Laurence Evans - It is well known that the most important values of the natural environment is encumbered in both Physical and mental well being of us as humans plus the enhancing of the natural environment also provides additional habitat and biodiversity links to 'Green Corridors' of our Municipality.

Clifford Maillard - It’s a great place for people to relax and is beneficial to mental health as supported by numerous studies. This afternoon I will be at the 1st day for nippers at Half Moon bay enjoying the beach and taking in the stunning scenery from sea to land.

 

Question 3

What Bayside-wide environmental matters/issues are most important in your view?

Laurence Evans - Whilst not forgetting the many nature reserves we have in our municipality the three most important masterplans that need to be advanced are: Wangara Road Masterplan, Highett Grassy Woodlands Masterplan and the continuation of the completion of stages to Yalukit Willam.

Clifford Maillard - The protection of native vegetation and open space vs overdevelopment (as dictated by the State govt) .

 

Question 4

What local Ward environmental matters are most important in your view?

Laurence Evans - The completion of stages of the Wangara Road Masterplan in Ebden Ward is a high priority, including the protection of the bronzewing habitat areas together with establishing a 'Sensory garden' at this reserve.

Clifford Maillard -  Renewing and maintaining our tree canopied streets will be an ongoing issue especially with the State Govt SRL being built on Ebden Wards doorstep.

 

Question 5

What do you think Council does well, environmentally?

Laurence Evans - I think Bayside Council has a reasonably well known 'Track record' as doing good work in the environment sphere, following on from the previous 'Sandringham Council' - but always happy to hear the community's voice about improvements. 

Clifford Maillard - Creating Masterplan eg urban forest strategy and maintaining the tree lined streetscapes in many areas in Bayside.
 

Question 6

In what respect(s) is Council lacking, environmentally?

Laurence Evans - Always room for 'Continuous Improvement'.

Clifford Maillard - Keeping tabs on their contractors. Eg cleared too much foliage from Pennydale park. Showing a lack of understanding in creating biodiversity pods around the municipality.

 

Question 7

What environmental issues/matters/challenges do you actively want to address, if any, as a Councillor?  In what way?

Laurence Evans - Probably to concentrate of the implementation of stages of the Wangara Road Masterplan, and the Highett Grassy Woodlands Masterplan.

Clifford Maillard - [No answer provided]

 

Question 8

Is biodiversity important for Bayside?  Why or why not?

Laurence Evans - Unquestionably - Biodiversity is essential for us as human beings to support us in our Ecosystem. We rely on Trees and plants to provide us with the clean air we breath and animals such as birds and bees for pollination.

Clifford Maillard -  Biodiversity is important to Bayside. As biodiversity and interconnectivity is important to all life forms and we need to manage water to support the various ecosystems. Basically biodiversity is all the living parts that make up an ecosystem from bacteria to birds in the sky and it’s up to us to keep all the parts working.

 

Question 9

Do you think Council should have a role in educating, engaging and empowering its residents to appreciate and actively care for the local environment?

Laurence Evans - Yes, I do think Council has a role in educating and empowering its residents to appreciate and actively care for the local environment and I think that the number of Environment groups that are within our Municipality is a testament to the Community's voice that this is very important to the Bayside Community. When 'Environment forums' are held in Bayside they are overwhelmingly attended by the community.

Clifford Maillard - Yes. Council supports a lot of programs and should be involved in educating residents to appreciate and care for the local environment. As a thought bubble we could set up a biodiversity caravan that can visit schools in the municipality to educate our young people in all things biodiversity. We need to be reminded that we ourselves are part of the ecosystem as well.

 

Question 10

Will you work to progress the implementation of the Urban Forest Strategy and the Fresh Waterbodies Management Plans?

Laurence Evans - Yes, and have done for the 12 years I have been a Councillor at Bayside.

Clifford Maillard - Yes. Would love the Laminex buffer zone to be secured to link the Highett grassy woodlands to Cheltenham park  and Vic golf course area.

 

Question 11

Do you support providing supplementary water for wildlife in Bayside's open spaces?

Laurence Evans - Yes, but we need to ensure that they are properly managed - Bayside has a number of existing areas that need to be reinstated and properly managed.

Clifford Maillard - Yes. This is crucial to keep our ecosystems working.
 

Question 12

Will you work to ensure that the Bronzewings will be effectively protected at Wangara Road?

Laurence Evans - Yes; as set out in the Masterplan for Wangara Road, this area needs to be retained and enhanced. Less foot traffic and additional 'Buffer planting' needs to be implemented.

Clifford Maillard - Yes.

 

References

The following references were included with our questions.

Fresh Waterbodies Management Plans (formerly "Ornamental Lakes Management Plans") BCC Meeting Agenda, June 2024, https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-06/18%20June%202024%20Council%20Meeting%20Agenda_2.pdf pp 627 - 782

Urban Forest Strategy https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/urban-forest-strategy

Water for Wildlife https://www.bayfonw.org.au/projects/waterbowls  https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/news/water-wildlife

Wangara Road Masterplan https://yoursay.bayside.vic.gov.au/future-use-wangara-road-site

 

Statement from Geoff Leigh

Thank you for your email seeking my views of Native Wildlife.
 
In dealing with conservation groups I have found no matter my answers I will be rated on your recommendations as per the How to Vote choices like perhaps number 7 by the Bayside Conservation Alliance (BCA) with L Evans number 1
 
In my case I did answer them with some but not all the comments listed below.
 
  1. As the then MLA for Mordialloc with two other MP’s in 1997 convinced the then Kennett Government to ban scallop dredging the bottom of the bay given it destroyed the sea grass to get the scallops. This improved the quality of the water and assisted sea life.
  2. I organised the creation of Karkarook Park (South and Warrigal Road’s) by taking the sand for the building industry. The creation of the park ensured the drainage system with billions of contaminated water entering the lake system to be cleaned up and then continuing to Mordialloc Creek.
  3. I worked with the groups involved in the planning the vegetation. I might add I organised the tree planting to screen off next door as what would one day be commercially developed. These days it seeks to hide Bunnings. Given at the time my then seat was marginal the conservation groups, the Labor Party and others all opposed the development given the sand was being taken to build the lakes.
 
Despite my comments to the BCA I rated 7 out of 9 on the ballot. 
 
Councillor Evans claims his love of the foreshore, so I invite you to either view my brochure or visit the beach on the left side at Blackrock Yacht Club to see the mess. So in the case of BCA any fair assessment might not be so kind to a councillor who has been in office for 20 years. My actions in the past show I am someone always concerned for the environment whether it was 40 years ago or today.
 
In the event I was elected to represent Ebden Ward I would do my best to work with everyone even those that don’t support me

 

Statement from David Perry

I have had many requests for info from numerous interest groups. I head up the SSAP Garden Group.