Council elections 2024: Who’s elected for Bass Coast Shire
The votes have been counted in the Bass Coast Shire Council elections. Find out who is representing your ward.
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The results are in for the 2024 Bass Coast Shire Council elections.
Bass Coast council has three wards — Bunurong Ward, Island Ward and Western Port Ward with three councillors in each.
See the faces representing your council next year.
BUNURONG WARD
BRETT TESSARI (1ST ELECTED)
First preference votes: 2428
Percentage: 25.45 per cent
Third generation Bass Coast local Brett Tessari was the first elected councillor for the Bunurong Ward.
The father of three is an active community member and the former president of the Wonthaggi Power Football Netball Club and a member of the Wonthaggi Relay For Life Committee, presiding as Master of Ceremonies for the event for the past two years and a member of Wonthaggi’s Rotary Club.
Mr Tessari’s pledged to get people passionate again about where they live and reinstall community pride in the region.
MEG EDWARDS (2ND ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1216
Percentage: 12.75 per cent
Meg Edwards, a mum, farmer and business manager was the second elected councillor for the Bunurong Ward.
Ms Edwards aimed to push more community safety in the region, including advocating for the Inverloch police station to operate for longer hours due to the town’s rapid growth.
Ms Edwards said it was important to protect the Bass Coast environment.
“Most urgently implementing hard/ rock engineering to protect the Inverloch Surf Beach and Life Saving Club in Inverloch,” she said.
“This is critical for our environment, tourists, residents and economy.”
She said many of the community’s local roads were “appalling” and needed work.
“Yet the focus of council over recent years has been on flagship monuments and ideological pet projects,” Ms Edwards said.
“Council needs to stick to core services — the things that ratepayers actually want and need done well, effectively and efficiently.
“Basic needs and infrastructure that benefit the whole community, things like local roads, encouraging environmentally balanced investment and development to provide opportunities for our region, good lighting, footpaths, accessibility, streetscape and signage.”
Ms Edwards said all information should be publicly available including briefings to councillors.
“This will improve communications, build trust and get things done so that people can get on with their lives and council can deliver value for ratepayer money and outcomes,” she said.
MAT MORGAN (3RD ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1784
Percentage: 18.70 per cent
Green Mat Morgan has six generations of family in the Bass Coast.
Mr Morgan said accessibility and the lack of footpaths was the most common issue raised when he door knocked locals.
“I’ve spoken with people who have mobility issues and can’t leave their homes anymore because they can no longer drive and there’s no safe way to walk to town,” he said.
“Council spends a tiny proportion of the budget on footpaths compared to other local government areas, which needs to change.”
Mr Morgan said another issue impacting the region was the coastal housing crisis.
“I will fight to bring The Cape Paterson boundary back to protect our wildlife corridors while committing to sustainable, affordable housing where it’s needed, close to jobs, schools and public transport,” he said.
“We also need to remind ourselves that town planning doesn’t just mean houses and roads.
“We need more playgrounds, green space and dog parks — people in new developments on the outskirts of Inverloch and Wonthaggi shouldn’t have to get in the car and drive across town just to find a decent playground.”
Mr Morgan added the early childhood education system was “broken”.
“I’ve spoken with countless parents and caregivers who want to return to work but can’t access childcare,” he said.
“I understand that early childhood education and care is largely a federal issue — so in August — I invited Senator Steph Hodgins-May to visit Bass Coast as the Greens spokesperson for Early Childhood Education and Care.
“We won’t solve the big issues from local government, but we certainly won’t improve anything if our councillors aren’t prepared to go in to bat and advocate for us to our state and federal politicians.”
ISLAND WARD
RON BAUER (1ST ELECTED)
First preference votes: 3220
Percentage: 33.78 per cent
Ron Bauer said it had been an honour to represent Island Ward for the past four years, and to have the chance to do so again.
Previously, the president of Reason Australia (formerly the Australian Sex Party), Mr Bauer resigned from the political party to run as an independent for Bass in the 2018 Victorian state election.
Mr Bauer was also a member of the Cowes Yacht Club, the Phillip Island Dog Owners Association, the Phillip Island RSL and the Bass Coast Rate Payers Association.
Until his election to the council in 2020, he was a committee member of Island Voice and helped restructure the organisation to make it the “pre-eminent voice” for Phillip Island.
“I have worked tirelessly to address the issues that affect us Islanders,” Mr Bauer said.
“I have proven that I stand for common sense solutions.”
Throughout his time on council, Mr Bauer achieved an off-lead dog run on the beach in West Cowes, retained carparking around the proposed football oval in the future recreation reserve, helped complete Rhyll playground and more.
“I valiantly fought for and lost twice by 5-4 for the red bin to be picked up every week from Christmas to Australia Day,” Mr Bauer said.
“I moved the motion to make council take notice of the parking problems in Cowes.
“I vigorously defended the community’s right for public question time at council meetings.”
Mr Bauer said in his new term on council he wanted to get back to core responsibilities including rates, roads, rubbish and recreation.
“In light of the current economic times we need to redo the Council’s 10 year plan,” he said.
“Our community needs the aquatic centre and sporting facilities.
“We must get the sports precinct known as the ‘carny site’ rezoned now so that when the money for the aquatic centre becomes available the site is shovel ready.
“Not in 10 years time, but now.”
Mr Bauer said the community urgently needed a new footy/cricket ground, soccer park and basketball courts.
“As the saying goes a healthy mind in a healthy body,” he said.
“Also, let’s not forget our furry friends — build a proper dog park.”
TRACEY BELL (2ND ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1129
Percentage: 11.85 per cent
Tracey Bell was the second elected councillor for the Island Ward.
She said the key issues impacting Bass Coast Shire Council was youth engagement, sustainable development and responsible tourism.
“I am dedicated to creating safe spaces for our young people to engage and my top priorities are setting up a youth resource centre, establishing safe bike paths in built-up areas, and building the long-promised recreation reserve,” Ms Bell said.
“Local jobs and better public transport are also key elements for our young people to participate in our community.”
She said balancing environmental responsibility with economic opportunity was important.
“We love the Island’s natural spaces and I will advocate against urban development beyond current town boundaries,” Ms Bell said.
She said it was crucial to protect the natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.
“I want to collaborate with businesses and community to transform PI into an eco-tourism destination,” Ms Bell said.
She said herself and her son were proud to call Phillip Island their home where they live, work and learn together.
“I work at Bass Coast Health and my son attends Cowes Primary School,” Ms Bell said.
“We’re actively involved in sports and other activities which fuel my passion for fostering a strong, vibrant community.”
TIM O’BRIEN (3RD ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1290
Percentage: 13.53 per cent
Tim O'Brien, the third elected councillor in the Island Ward, was born and bred in Gippsland.
He said Bass Coast Shire Council needed an “injection of capable new blood” and new ideas.
“As ratepayers, you know it. With increasing population pressure on services, roads, parking and our beautiful coastline, we need a responsive council who has the community at its centre, and acts on residents’ concerns,” he said.
He is also a musician and a “Save Western Port Woodlands” activist, a Facebook group dedicated to “preserving Bass Coast coastal forests”.
WESTERN PORT WARD
ROCHELLE HALSTEAD (1ST ELECTED)
First preference votes: 2877
Percentage: 31.78 per cent
Small business owner Rochelle Halstead, who served as deputy mayor of Bass Coast, was the first elected for the Western Port Ward.
Ms Halstead said coastal erosion, services and infrastructure for a growing population, roads and drainage were the key issues impacting council.
Ms Halstead said working in local government allowed people to work with well-intentioned, passionate, and committed members of the community.
“And all who wish to truly make a difference,” she posted on social media.
“You learn to appreciate the differing views and work together to better the beautiful place in which we live.”
Ms Halstead also advocated to save the Newhaven Jetty, that closed indefinitely at the end of April due to structural failures that posed a safety hazard to the community.
“I’ve had a lot of contact from community about the closure — it is a piece of infrastructure that’s been enjoyed for a long time by the local community — particularly families that want to take their young children fishing,” Ms Halstead said.
She said although people were advised they could fish at the San Remo Jetty instead, she described it as a “commercial operation” and was concerned for children's’ safety.
“It concerns me for the tourist side of it that it (the Newhaven Jetty) provides quite an iconic view of the San Remo Bridge — it’s just a great little spot and I think it’s a real shame that it’s been allowed to deteriorate to the point where it’s been closed ‘indefinitely’,” Ms Halstead added.
She called on Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos to restore and retain the jetty.
JON TEMBY (2ND ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1560
Percentage: 17.23 per cent
Environmentalist Jon Temby was the second elected councillor for the Western Port Ward.
Mr Temby said the key issues impacting the council were inadequate finances to service needs and expectations, environmental degradation and lack of services, especially in new estates and rural areas of the Bass Coast.
One of Mr Temby’s other concerns was a lack of public open spaces and facilities for families in Wonthaggi North.
He has been living in the region since he was a child and was a member and advocate of the “Save Western Port Woodlands” Facebook group.
Mr Temby called on Western Port Ward residents to tell him what they wanted done in their area.
He said he had a long history with Phillip Island but now lived in West Creek.
JAN THOMPSON (3RD ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1310
Percentage: 14.47 per cent
Bass Coast local Jan Thompson was the third elected councillor for the Western Port Ward.
Ms Thompson said the council needed to focus on delivering services and maintaining infrastructure, empower its diverse community to thrive and improve transparency by engaging residents in decisions.
“Roads are a major concern right throughout our shire including highways, arterial roads, and local roads where potholes are a common occurrence,” Ms Thompson said.
“I will advocate we allocate monies to upgrade and repair roads, culverts, drains, bridges and residential footpaths play a vital role in communities.
“The humble footpath provides links to shopping, community centres and to our magnificent shoreline.”
She said a “proper” hard rubbish collection was critical for maintaining environmental health and public safety.
“Incorrect disposal can lead to pollution, risk of injury and unwanted clutter,” Ms Thompson said.
“We are currently charged $132 per collection — I will be advocating for all ratepayers to have one free hard rubbish collection.”
Ms Thompson said the community didn’t want costly infrastructure that did not address the needs of the majority.
“We need more focus on delivering value for money with projects most people want,” she said.
“ Sporting facilities in some areas are either run down or non-existent — this is where our children, who are our future, learn about teamwork, diligence, and hard work to achieve goals.
“Townships are crying out for better services, and no one is listening.”
Ms Thompson said housing affordability in 2024 was “the worst on record”.
“Social housing has been run down for decades — the worst affected are woman with children fleeing domestic violence, people living with mental illness, low-income older people, especially older woman and first nations people,” she said.
“Although housing is a state issue, our council can shine a light and guide the way.
“We have the planning and the means to encourage more use in our community for pods or portable units.”
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