Ranges Ward
Catherine Oldenburger
How long have you lived in Cardinia?
I have lived in Cardinia for 54 years.
Are you a member of a political party (past or present)?
I am not a member of any political party.
Occupation, business/employer name:
Medical Scientist in Haematology, at Austin Hospital Heidelberg. Career spans 48 years.
Do you hold any property and/or business interests within Cardinia?
Together with my husband, the only property I own is the house and land where I live. We have no business interests.
Three most important issues you are campaigning about, describe your involvement in the community:
Apart from Roads, Rates, Rubbish, which are very important, interests in a number of areas. Community and focus groups, have participated in many and look forward to working with local groups. Environment, currently involved in Save the Beaconsfield Reservoir Group. Arts, would love to see return of PAVE Festival or an iteration of it (aware of recent efforts).
Sporting groups and maintenance of local sports facilities. I am a member of Friends of the Pakenham Outdoor Pool. I look forward to improving the pool amenities and encouraging local children to learn to swim. Look at other possibilities including a hydrotherapy pool within our Council bounds. Farmers and Farming, looking forward to the Cardinia Council Agribusiness Audit report. Working with local farmers. I am a member of a local Country Women’s Association branch and I am, through this group, very interested in local food security such as food banks, food waste and working with local business. Housing security, hoping to become involved on committees, focus groups looking at social housing with both developers and community members. Supporter of women’s security groups, education and prevention of domestic violence. This will be a new experience for me. I am ready and willing to learn, be responsive to ratepayers, transparent and accountable to the community.
Why are you standing for election?
I believe all residents should take more interest and get active in Civics. In addition, it seems wrong that you can stand unopposed for Council. Maybe we need more education in this area.
What is your campaign budget?
I have no campaign budget.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
No donors.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
No influence or advice from Councillors, MPs or ex of either.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
I will not be directing any preferences.
David Nickell
How long have you lived in Cardinia?
Since 1996.
Are you a member of a political party (past or present)?
No. I was a member of the Australian Democrats a long time ago.
Occupation, business/employer name:
Program Manager Engagement, also on a small family farm.
Do you hold any property and/or business interests within Cardinia?
We are on a small farm between Cockatoo and Gembrook.
Three most important issues you are campaigning about:
1. Condition of roads both local and VicRoads. Rural connector roads and rural township street construction and maintenance needs to improve.
2. Practical support for community groups and volunteers underpinned by a planning direction and updated strategies for the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Green Wedge and its townships.
3. Close support for building resilience in communities – planning for and responding to fire, storms and flood risk across Cardinia.
Describe your involvement in the community:
Former Mountain Road Reserve Committee member. Have been Chair of both Cockatoo and Gembrook Township Committees. Co-founder of Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association (business and tourism network). Ranges Ward Councillor 2000-2003.
Why are you standing for election?
I want to help Council better balance the growth agenda imposed by others with the challenges and service needs of existing rural communities.
What is your campaign budget?
$250 plus time.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
Nobody and nothing.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
Nobody.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
Nobody.
Jeff Springfield
How long have you lived in Cardinia?
Born and raised in Emerald, during my earlier adult years I’ve lived across various Hills townships and for the last 10 years have sown my roots back home in Emerald.
Are you a member of a political party (past or present)?
I’m not a member of any political party, in the past I have previously been a member of the Vic Labor party.
Occupation, business/employer name:
Outside of Council duties, I work as an audio engineer and events manager in the music/entertainment industry. I own and operate a music production studio in Belgrave called
Arcadia.
Do you hold any property and/or business interests within Cardinia?
Besides the house I live in, I do not.
Three most important issues you are campaigning about:
Roads! Drainage! Roads!
Roads– drainage performance is the biggest ongoing issue that many of us Ranges Ward residents face. It has been a continual challenge of mine since first being elected, working hard to improve the performance of this essential community infrastructure. The Ranges Ward is quite unique among Cardinia’s nine separate regions. We have more residents living on unsealed roads than anywhere else in the Shire and many of these are situated within difficult hilly terrains. My first priority focus will be to deliver an enhanced management plan with increased resources to get on top of this once and for all.
Vegetation, Open space, Playground Management.
Open space and playground reserves are the most actively used community assets that Cardinia manages. Widely utilised by all members of our diverse communities, these places play such an important role of bringing community together. It is a priority of mine to deliver enhanced resources to ensure our community open space is managed to the highest standard. Playgrounds are upgraded to ensure safety and enjoyment for our families. Vegetation is managed properly to enhance community amenity and improve fire hazard reduction.
Support for our community groups, volunteers and sporting clubs.
Volunteers are the backbone of our community! Without the numerous volunteer groups working across the Ranges Ward and wider Shire, our region could not be the beautiful place to live that it is. The hard work of our volunteer community often happens in the background and can often go unnoticed. Cardinia needs to undertake every opportunity to support the volunteers that support the wider community. Cost of living and inflationary pressures are hitting us all
hard, sporting clubs and community groups are especially feeling this too. Council needs to do all that it can to support our volunteers now and into the future.
Describe your involvement in the community:
Being the current Ranges Ward Councillor and former Mayor has given me the great opportunity to work with all of our wonderful community-based groups across the Ranges and wider Shire area. Prior to being elected as a Councillor, I had served as the president of the Belgrave Traders Association and also as president for the 3MDR FM committee of management.
Why are you standing for election?
To deliver once more for our community!
I’m seeking the support of my community to represent the Ranges Ward for a third and final term. Working together, we have been able to achieve a lot of great things during my time as your Councillor. During the previous eight years we have seen substantially more community infrastructure and projects delivered for the Ranges Ward than in the prior 20 since Cardinia was created.
But there is still so much more that needs to be done and I need your support in order to achieve this further for our community.
What is your campaign budget?
No $$ budget
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
No campaign donors.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
None, besides myself.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
The two other candidates both seem like good people, I haven’t publicly directed my preferences to either above the other.
