City of Greater Geelong election 2024: Cheetham candidate survey

Find out about this year’s candidates.

Picture: Alan Barber

Mellissa Hutchinson

Cheetham candidate Melissa Hutchinson

Age: 48

Occupation: Home Duties/Community Volunteer

Do you live in the ward? Yes

Are you or have you ever been a member of a political party?If so, which one(s)? No

What are the three key issues you are campaigning on? Accountability, transparency and truth.

Should council only focus on the three Rs – roads, rates and rubbish? They are important but there are other issues to address such as the cost of living, affordable housing.

Do you believe Australia Day should remain on January 26? Yes

Do you think we are currently facing a climate emergency? No, it’s called seasons.

Tom Gant

Cheetham candidate Thomas Gant

Age: 39

Occupation: Director – Jonair Workshop Equipment

Do you live in the ward? Yes

Are you or have you ever been a member of a political party?If so, which one(s)? Yes, I was a member of Reason and the Greens in the 2010s. No longer a member of any political party.

What are the three key issues you are campaigning on? I am campaigning to improve housing affordability and accessibility, enhancing sports and recreation facilities, and improving city safety for a stronger more resilient Geelong

Should council only focus on the three Rs – roads, rates and rubbish? While the core focus should be the three R’s. We can also focus on recreation, revitalisation and resilience, to build a vibrant, sustainable Geelong

Do you believe Australia Day should remain on January 26? Jan 26th is the day Arthur Phillip raised the British flag here. We are a multicultural nation. We should find a date that represents all.

Do you think we are currently facing a climate emergency? It is disappointing that this is being framed as a divisive. We are facing a climate emergency, and urgent action is necessary.

Melissa Cadwell

Cheetham candidate Melissa Cadwell.

Age: n/a

Occupation: Industrial relations and Geelong councillor since January 2023.

Do you live in the Ward? Yes.

Are you or have you ever been a member of a political party? If so, which one(s)? I am not endorsed by a political party. I am an ALP member.

What are the three key issues you are campaigning on? Representing the people of the eastern suburbs. Delivering important, affordable services like childcare, libraries and homecare. Delivering important upgrades for sporting and community facilities.

Should council only focus on the three Rs – roads, rates and rubbish? Delivering the essential services our community needs is a vital role of Council. That includes childcare, library services, and homecare as well as the roads, rates and rubbish.

Do you believe Australia Day should remain on January 26? I think we can recognise Indigenous Australians and their history and allow migrants to this country to celebrate their citizenship on the day.

Do you think we are currently facing a climate emergency?

I believe in the science of climate change, and that Council should operate as sustainably as possible. However, state/federal governments need to do much of the work.

Jess Harper

Cheetham candidate Jess Harper

Age: 38

Occupation: CEO – Disability Peak Body

Do you live in the ward? Newcomb

Are you or have you ever been a member of a political party?If so, which one(s)? I’m proud to be an endorsed Greens candidate. I am upfront about my values and do not take corporate donations.

What are the three key issues you are campaigning on? 1. Increasing council social and community services,

2. Improving and maintaining transport infrastructure,

3. Implementing Stormwater Recycling; Opposing Waste Incinerator and Offshore Gas Terminal

Should council only focus on the three Rs – roads, rates and rubbish? In a cost-of-living crisis we need Council to do more not less; increasing council social and community services. This can be done while tackling roads, rates and rubbish.

Do you believe Australia Day should remain on January 26? Australia Day means many things to different people. It causes distress to First Nations communities, and we should work together to find an alternative date.

Do you think we are currently facing a climate emergency? Yes – We’re in the midst of a climate crisis. Our council plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of our local environment.

Jon Metrikas

Cheetham candidate Jon Metrikas

Age: 65

Occupation: Business Owner

Do you live in the ward? Yes

Are you or have you ever been a member of a political party? If so, which one(s)? Yes the Liberal Party

What are the three key issues you are campaigning on? 1. Get back to basics 2. Cut waste and provide service and value to ratepayers and our community. 3 Focus on issues that we can deal with and are council responsibility.

Should council only focus on the three Rs – roads, rates and rubbish? Yes council’s main focus – along with budget must be the three Rs

Do you believe Australia Day should remain on January 26? Yes – Australian Day is an important day for me as the son of a refugee and veteran

Do you think we are currently facing a climate emergency? No, I do not agree. Claims that the science is confirmed is unscientific. Climate Cultism is dangerous and irrational – to be careful about energy use is important but bullying is unhelpful

Originally published as City of Greater Geelong election 2024: Cheetham candidate survey