Chandler Ward, Knox City Council

Miller Park, Boronia. Popular destination for cricket, football, tennis... and a lovely walk around the park. One day we'll make the path so more can use it, but meanwhile it's a world of its own.

There are a lot of pretty words floating around right now, but my actions for this community, even outside Council, far exceeds all the actions of all my opponents combined. This is no time for novices.

Nice legacy! So much better than running a music festival off the back of a truck and a legacy I can claim. It took years of agitation and argument that finally morphed into this unique sound shell - "The Basin Pavilion". Seen here with kids from The Basin Primary School bringing the Triangle park to life.
Thanks to all those who helped along the way and all those who continue to back and support the dynamic use of our great park, including performers, tech crews, Fire Brigade, community groups and the public who embrace it all.

Take a look around…
(From my flyer...)
Chandler Ward: a safe, protected neighbourhood with better parks and recreation reserves – more playgrounds – better sports facilities – safer roads – better access and mobility for disabled and senior citizens – better low energy lighting - better public transport – better off-road bike paths – dynamic preschools – improved public infrastructure – more local business and employment - more community events and activities – and amongst the lowest rate rises in all of Knox.
Ask people who know…
Speak to the people I work with in this community: the preschools - women’s health services - EACH - family violence services - community legal services - Boronia Library - Scouts - CFA - Rotary – RSL – Police - youth groups - Infolink – U3A - Knox Environment Society - The Basin Theatre - the Hut Gallery - Boronia Bowls Club - Senior Citizens - Music Festival - sporting clubs – homeless services.
Look at my record…
Decisions based on evidence- not ideology.
My regular participation is in all Council policy deliberations with special input into policies on environment (both natural and built), gender equity, family violence, problem gambling, su***de, mental health, waste management, accessibility, transport and open space (Knox listed in top 3 for open space access). Working cooperatively with the Knox Environment Society, the general public, Environment Committee and fellow Councillors I wrote our climate crisis motion which was unanimously approved by Council and greeted with a standing ovation from the crowded meeting. The subsequent action has built on good past policy to launch a major study and action plan due for public launch this December.
With strong colleague and community support, kept iconic Miller’s Homestead in Council ownership and community control
I played a major role in Alchester Park upgrade and amenity, development of The Basin Triangle park, playground and toilets, and construction of Pavilion (sound shell), upgrade of Progress Hall, pedestrian crossings, better public transport, Mountain Highway footpath (funded for completion this year), upgrades to all four major sport and recreation reserves, construction of the new Basin Community House (minimal rates funding)... and much more.
PROMISES ARE CHEAP - I DELIVER

Fern St, The Basin 27 Aug 2020
The good news? No-one was home when the windstorm came. Surrounded by many eucalypts, most of this damage was done by a couple of big pine trees. The power of nature is awesome - a couple of minutes and it was all over.

During the wild windstorm of two weeks back this was one of the trees that came apart, dropping this 16m half trunk on our roof. Andrew McKernan's Melbourne Tree Care team did a great job getting it down and cleaning up afterwards. One house in the neighbourhood fared much worse being totally demolished and not by any of the eucalypts that dominate the neighbourhood but by a couple of very large exotic cypress trees. (See next issue of BBCN)

Is anyone else having trouble with Telstra emails? Two weeks since the big windstorm and still no email at my Mallee Bull address - and no idea of what the problem is beyond "email servers" affecting 2% nationwide.
My Council email still works (with frequent short outages) so please use that for the time being - [email protected]
Hopefully the problem will soon be resolved.

There are much worse diseases - but few as insidious. Keep clean and clear - stay safe.