By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
In the lead-up to the federal election, Star Mail News ran a community survey over the course of four weeks to gather the thoughts and concerns of residents across the Dandenongs and hills region.
As Australians get ready to cast their votes, it’s clear that people in our local area are tuned in to a wide range of pressing issues – from climate change and housing affordability to public safety and crumbling infrastructure.
In the survey, 114 readers across the Yarra Ranges shared their concerns, and it’s evident that many feel their voices aren’t being heard by the powers that be.
A substantial number of respondents from the Ranges Trader region expressed frustrations about being overlooked, with rapid population growth and strained infrastructure continuing to impact their daily lives.
A key issue for many was immigration, which a large portion of locals see as a primary driver of the pressures on public services.
Emerald resident, Gordon Thomson said, “too much immigration.”
Many other locals, like Lisa Stovold from Gembrook, described the rapid influx of people into the region as overwhelming.
“Our beautiful farmland is being gobbled up by greedy land developers. It’s distressing to watch,” she said.
Road conditions were another hot topic. While some locals called for the sealing of dirt roads, others voiced frustration about constant repairs that barely lasted.
“Forget national rail infrastructure – just seal the roads in the Dandenongs. That’s all we’re asking,” Brenda Marshall said.
Road conditions, they said, have long been neglected in outer suburbs, with many residents feeling ignored unless an election is looming.
The state of local healthcare was also a sore point, with Belinda Purser voicing the growing waitlists for hospitals.
Health services, the cost of living, and electricity prices were identified as top priorities, while broadband, water, and immigration ranked lower on the scale.
Interestingly, the survey revealed an almost even split on whether carbon reduction or cheaper electricity should be prioritised, with 50.9 per cent supporting carbon reduction and 49.1 per cent favouring lower electricity prices.
Most respondents were opposed to nuclear energy (58.8 per cent) and a local nuclear plant (66.7 per cent).
Despite these varied concerns, the overall message from locals was a call for action – especially in addressing the region’s infrastructure issues.
Many people like Judy Hodgson from Belgrave stressed the need for more investment in renewable energy, alongside better roads, and housing.
“Good infrastructure is essential to support our community, especially with the population growing,” she said.
As housing affordability continues to be a challenge, many locals worry about the balance between welcoming newcomers and ensuring that existing residents can find affordable homes.
“The housing market is just crazy right now,” James Reid from Ferntree Gully said.
“We can’t even house the people who are already here, let alone more immigrants.”
Others, like Graham Crichton, are a bit more optimistic.
“We need to focus on reducing demand on housing and road congestion, but we also need to protect our beautiful areas, like the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley,” he said.
Public safety is another issue on the minds of locals – residents have noticed a worrying surge in crime, particularly in tourist spots like Belgrave.
Nerida Bermingham-Dodig, a local resident, pointed out that while Belgrave is a popular destination, it’s increasingly feeling unsafe due to rising crime and public disorder.
“Graffiti is everywhere, and it’s starting to feel unsafe,” she said.
Residents are calling on the elected government to keep their communities safe and that it should be a top priority.
A deeper concern for many in the survey was the growing influence of social media on public opinion.
Residents like Carol Atkin and James Reid expressed frustration over what they see as biased reporting and misinformation that spreads online.
“We need more honest, fair reporting,” Carol said.
“The media can easily mislead people, and that’s a big problem when it comes to making informed decisions.”
But it’s not just local issues that are keeping residents up at night – global security and rising tensions around the world are also weighing heavily on their minds.
Many residents pointed to the instability in regions like the Middle East and Europe, as well as rising tensions with global powers like China and Russia.
“We live in dangerous times,” Brenda Marshall said, urging for stronger defence measures to protect Australia from global threats.
Overall, the survey results paint a picture of a community that feels sidelined by politicians and concerned about the future.
As the federal election approaches on Saturday, 3 May, residents of the Dandenongs and hills want to ensure their voices are heard. They’re looking for practical, common-sense solutions to their problems – not just more promises.
With concerns ranging from climate change to infrastructure, housing, and safety, it’s clear that the people of the Dandenongs are looking for a government that will take real action to address the issues they care about.
