Northcote by-election: Candidates Clare Burns and Lidia Thorpe answer key questions
THE Greens are hoping to prise the marginal seat of Northcote from Labor in the upcoming state by-election. We asked each party’s candidate five key questions on local issues.
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LABOR and the Greens have been hitting the pavement courting swing voters ahead of the Northcote by-election on November 18.
The Greens hope to prise the marginal seat from Labor, which has held Northcote since its inception in 1927.
Top Northcote candidates back move to strip John Batman’s name
But both leading candidates have revealed few specifics about what they would do for the electorate once in office.
The Northcote Leader spoke with Labor’s Clare Burns and the Greens’ Lidia Thorpe to find out where they stood on five Northcote issues.
Do you support stricter controls around building heights?
Lidia Thorpe: We support stricter controls to ensure appropriate development occurs in established centres and urban renewal areas. Local government should have greater control over their planning scheme, as they are best placed to represent what is best for their communities. Like other Greens MPs I’ll be calling for legislative change. Northcote is a beautiful place to live and we want to ensure that as our population grows, we don’t lose all the things that make Northcote great.
Clare Burns: I’m a Northcote local, and I know just how special this community is. We need to protect Northcote’s unique character — but we also know that better housing supply is a cornerstone of housing affordability. We want young Victorians to be able to afford to live in Northcote — whether that’s renting or owning their home — and responsible development in the right places is an important way of driving supply so that they can.
Do you support extending the number 11 tram to Reservoir?
Lidia Thorpe: The Greens have long supported this tram extension and others like it, to give more people public transport options and reduce congestion on our roads. Just as importantly we want to see a massive increase in frequency along this line because we know that people in the seat of Northcote currently have to cram onto packed trams — not just during peak hour but throughout the day.
Clare Burns: Trams are really important throughout Northcote and I’ll continue to fight for improved public transport services for our community.
Do you support the proposal for elevated rail to replace level crossings at Bell and Preston stations?
Lidia Thorpe: Yes, level crossings are dangerous and there are no two-ways about it. The State Government should support Darebin Council’s calls to remove the level crossings at Cramer St and Murray Rd as part of the Bell St commitment. This will allow for more frequent trains along the South Morang line.
Clare Burns: It’s important to get rid of these dangerous and congested deathtraps. It’s great to see progress on the Grange Rd level crossing and I am looking forward to seeing progress on Bell St and Preston Station.
Do you support the push to strip John Batman’s name from places like Batman Park?
Lidia Thorpe: Absolutely, I support that, if that’s what the people of Northcote want.
Clare Burns: I do — as long as it’s done with proper consultation.
Do you support reopening all the median crossings on St Georges Rd?
Lidia Thorpe: As Darebin Council and many in the local community are saying, there needs to be a solution that balances safety and access. This will only be achieved if VicRoads undertakes a proper consultation with all road and path users, including local residents and businesses. If elected, I’ll hold the Roads Minister to account to ensure that consultation occurs before any further decisions are taken.
Clare Burns: Having consulted with the local community, I support reopening all of the median crossings on St Georges Road. That being said, we have to ensure that everyone who uses St Georges Road — drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users — are safe, and the Government is currently planning how we best do that. I have met with the Minister for Roads and Roads Safety to ensure that the needs of the community are reflected in that plan.
NORTHCOTE BY-ELECTION TIMELINE
Close of nominations (party candidates): 12pm Wednesday, October 18.
Close of nominations (non-party candidates): 12pm Thursday, October 19.
Early voting period: Thursday, October 19 — Friday, November 17.
Registration of how-to-vote-cards period: Friday, October 20 — Friday, November 10.
Last chance to apply for a postal vote: 6pm Thursday, November 16.
Election day: Saturday, November 18.
Source: Victorian Electoral Commission