By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
MAYOR-aspirant John Kelly has said “it’s time” that Greater Dandenong’s mayoral election was decided by the electorate.
Cr Kelly is among the field of four councillors which also includes Peter Brown, Youhorn Chea and Sean O’Reilly who have announced their pitch for mayor in 2014-15.
It will be decided by a majority vote of fellow councillors.
“Perhaps it’s time for the community to elect the mayor and follow other cities like Melbourne and Geelong,” Cr Kelly said.
“Whether the mayor is elected for four years or two years each, there’s options.
“But that might be the better thing to do.”
During his 20-plus year stint as councillor, Cr Kelly has been elected as mayor once on the traditionally ALP dominated council – while he has watched others serve up to three mayoral terms in the past 13 years.
In 2007, several Labor member councillors defied party rules to vote Cr Kelly in as a non-Labor mayor.
“That’s where (ALP opposition leader) Daniel Andrews needs to step in and give a direction.
“He’s talked about reducing council rates, which I think is a bit of a furphy.
“One of the great things he could do for local government is to let people in the party elect who they want to.”
Cr Brown, who was mayor in 2005-06, said his hand was up for mayor “as far as it will go”.
Among his personal goals for next year was to lobby the state government for the “undergrounding” of one of Noble Park’s level crossings, particularly either Heatherton or Chandler roads.
He would also push for the council to convert open space opposite Metro 3175 housing estate in Heatherton Road, Dandenong, into a landscaped park “gateway”.
Cr Chea said he wanted to try for a fourth term as mayor but “I’m not sure about the numbers”.
He said he wanted to fast-track the Springvale library redevelopment and town hall refurbishment.
He said the project could start as soon as next year using proceeds from the sale of the council’s former depot site in View Road, Springvale.
The project’s construction had been scheduled to start in 2017.
Cr O’Reilly, a first-term councillor who has yet to be crowned mayor, said he would seek outside funds for the project as well as for Dandenong Market’s revamp and facilities for Keysborough’s growing residential estates.
He said “ensuring council works as a team” was his top focus if he is elected as mayor.
“Sometimes tough decisions need to be made and these should be explained directly without fluffing around.
“People expect council to make decisions not just for a vocal minority but on behalf of all residents.”
