By Parker McKenzie
Local farm-owner Jarrad Page has nominated for councillor in the Streeton Ward by-election to help share his experience in sustainable farming within the Dandenong Ranges.
Mr Page said he is running for council because he wants to help out and give back to the community.
“I’ve got my vision for what I want with my property and it really matches what the council’s mission is for agriculture and farming, because I’m in a green wedge and I’m someone with a very small hobby farm,” he said.
“I’m enjoying what I’m doing; it’s been in my wife’s family for 14 years. So we’re just trying to get involved with local council and see what I can do to help.”
The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges green wedge is the largest of Melbourne’s 12 green wedges.
Yarra Ranges Council adopted a management plan for the area in 2010, which dictates the strategies and policies in place for developing and protecting the area.
Mr Page isn’t affiliated with any political party and said if elected to council he would offer more encouragement for sustainable farming.
“Whether that’s electricity through solar, wind or farming, or helping smaller farms or people that want to get into having their own chickens, animals or even fruit trees, so that we can give some advice or help to them,” he said.
“I think council is doing better than in other areas, but I think they could lift their game when it comes to agriculture and supporting people like myself that want to get into farming and try and be more sustainable that way.”
The by-election will take place in February, with ballots to be distributed through post to registered voters between Tuesday 1 February and Thursday 3 February, before voting closes on Friday 18 February 2022.
Saturday 19 February has been prescribed as Election Day by the VEC, with Monday 28 February 2022 the latest date all results will be declared.
12,415 Victorians were enrolled in Streeton Ward at the last council election in 2020, which includes Upwey, Sassafras and Olinda.
