Meet the people running for the City of Stonnington Council
Nominations are now open for the City of Stonnington council election. Meet the candidates who want to earn your vote.
Inner South
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The City of Stonnington council election is not far away, and many of the candidates have already stepped up to the plate.
Stonnington City Council will have nine wards with one councillor in each ward.
It previously had three wards with three councillors in each.
Meet the candidates putting themselves forward to represent the municipality.
Como Ward
Luke Balasingam
Prahran resident Luke Balasingam has announced he is running for Como Ward in the council elections.
Mr Balasingam’s key priorities include keeping the cost of living down, protecting the environment and supporting small business.
Meghan Hopper
Former mayor and councillor Dr Meghan Hopper has announced she has joined the race for the Como Ward.
The academic and South Yarra resident said she had always been passionate about the community.
“I believe that strong communities are safer, healthier and more sustainable,” she said.
“South Yarra is a great place to live, I’m ready to get straight to work.”
Hamish Taylor
Scientist and researcher Hamish Taylor has thrown his hat in the ring for the Como Ward.
Mr Taylor is a Greens candidate and is focused on creating “safe and walkable neighbourhoods, more active transports, preserving green spaces and building essential infrastructure”.
He said he was keen to address the housing and rental crisis.
“Council must play a role in addressing the rental crisis and supporting affordable, high quality housing that gives everyone a place to call home,” he said.
Greville Ward
Mike Scott
Deputy Mayor and councillor of Greville Ward Mike Scott has announced he is running for re-election in the Greville Ward.
Mr Scott is a Greens Party candidate.
He said he would focus on the cost of living pressures, the climate emergency and the housing crisis.
“This includes protecting vulnerable communities, developing climate mitigation strategies and diversifying housing so that people can live close to their loved ones and places of work,” he said.
Mr Scott is part of the LGBTQIA+ community and Rotary Prahran.
Hedgeley Dene Ward
No candidates have been nominated for the Hedgeley Dene Ward.
Malvern Valley Ward
No candidates have been nominated for the Malvern Valley Ward.
Orrong Ward
No candidates have been nominated for the Orrong Ward.
South Yarra Ward
Mitch Fuller
Mitch Fuller has joined the race for the South Yarra Ward.
Mr Fuller is a Greens Party candidate for the 2024 council elections and said he believed in prioritising social justice, housing affordability and accessibility.
“I want to make Stonnington Council chambers an inclusive space where every resident feels heard,” he said.
Kate Hely
Kate Healy has announced she will be running for re-election in the South Yarra Ward.
Ms Healy has been the councillor for the South Yarra ward since 2020.
She said she was “eager to continue working for the community and ensure voices were heard”.
Ms Healy has worked as a strategy director for major brands including Cricket Australia and Schweppes and has an MBA.
Ms Healy said she was passionate about prioritising heritage and sustainability as the community grows, fostering community where everyone thrives and supporting local businesses and the wise use of council resources.
Toorak Ward
Marcia Griffin
Marcia Griffin has announced she will be running for re-election for the Toorak Ward.
Ms Griffin was first elected to council in 2016.
She is a 36-year resident of Toorak and said she had loved living in the area.
Ms Griffin said she believed the council’s role should be firmly focused on community amenity and not global or other politics.
She has been involved in the upgrade of Toorak Park and stadium, the update of Toorak Village and the development of new green pocket parks.
Ms Griffin said she was passionate about reinstating traders associations to ensure effective local marketing activities, putting “Christmas” back into Christmas and upgrading playgrounds for safety and aesthetics.
Tooronga Ward
Polly Morgan
Polly Morgan has announced she will be running for re-election for the Tooronga Ward.
Ms Morgan has been a councillor for the Tooronga Ward since 2020.
She is an IT professional working for a leading global software company and a long time resident of Malvern.
Ms Morgan was involved in writing Stonnington’s first climate emergency action place which reduced the council’s emissions by 78 per cent below 2005 levels, as well as the Harold Holt Swim Centre upgrades and the creation of the all-abilities regional playgrounds at Sir Zelman Cowen Park and Central Park.
She said she would support prioritising disability access and inclusion projects for all residents and lead smarter planning decisions to create a greener and more liveable city with sustainable and diverse housing.
Wattletree Ward
No candidates have been nominated for the Wattletree Ward.
Do you know a candidate who hasn’t been included on this list?
Email gemma.scerri@news.com.au
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