2024 Murrindindi Shire Council Elections
Every four years, Murrindindi Shire residents and ratepayers vote to elect Councillors to represent our community.
The next Council elections will be held on Saturday 26 October 2024.
Tim Molesworth
for Koriella Ward
Libertarian endorsed candidate
Koriella Ward
Libertarian
Endorsed candidate
New councillor
Not represented Murrindindi previously
VEC Questionnaire
No questionnaire response provided
ADTTA Interview Question Responses
Q.
What inspired you to run for council, and how do you see yourself making a difference for the Shire of Murrindindi?
A.
My belief is based on the philosophy of libertarianism. Local government has become to involve in individuals lives, private property, and waste too much money. Also, although the question is not asked, I am an endorsed candidate with the Libertarian party.
I understand that some people do not like candidates that are connected to political parties, but I decided not to run as a pretend independent like so many do. I may lose votes but I will not lose my integrity.
Q.
What do you see as the most pressing challenges facing local businesses, and how would you address them if elected?
A.
Many of the challenges local businesses are facing is out of the hands of local government. However I believe the best thing to do for any small business, is to get the government out of the way as much as possible, cutting red tape and unnecessary legislation.
For most getting land rates down, I’m sure would be helpful with the current cost-of-living.
As a general rule, I do not believe government has the answers to help business, and when it tries it often makes matters worse or simply shifts the problem to somebody else.
Q.
Tourism plays a big role in our local economy. How would you support and grow tourism in the Shire, particularly through community events?
A.
I run a farm-stay business with my parents and absolutely agree that tourism is important part of our economy.
however, other than maintaining current infrastructure I believe it is up to the community and the businesses to attract their customers, not all constituents will benefit from the money spent on tourism and therefore not all rate pays should have to pay for such projects.
I believe community events should be done by the community, and the council should not spend money on them. I know it is an unpopular view for many.
However, because not all rate payers will benefit or in some cases may even be against an event, I do not believe it is just that they are paid for with ratepayer money.
However, I do think that Council gets in the way and makes it hard for the community to organise its own events. I think there is a lot that council could do, such as clear guidance on how to get permits to use public land spaces and cutting the costs of such permits.
Council staff and representatives are meant to work for the community, therefore they have an obligation to make any process as easy as possible for the people of the community.
Q.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the Shire of Murrindindi over the next four years, and how do you plan to address them?
A.
I believe Murrindindi like most councils around Australia has too much of a nanny state mentality, and it seems to be getting worse.
I will do what I can to stand up for private property rights, individual autonomy, and cutting red and even unnecessary green tape.
I think council needs to stay out of external politics such as climate change and, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that they were pushing for the yes vote in the voice parliament referendum.
Council must focus on local issues and our community.
individual counsellors should absolutely be free to express their individual views, but not on Council social media.
Q.
How will you work to foster a strong sense of community and inclusivity in a region as diverse as Murrindindi?
A.
Other than ensuring individual human rights the government at all levels should stay out of the conversation.
Often now when the word diverse or diversity is used it does not include the diversity of thought.
Government of any kind wagging its finger at people telling them that they celebrate other people will only cause division.
The people of Murrindindi are good people, they care for others and they are happy to live alongside peacefully with people that they may disagree with,
If they are left alone to do so and simply given equal human rights.
Q.
How would you balance the needs of urban and rural areas within the Shire, ensuring fair representation and resource allocation?
A.
Even though it is not my Ward, it seems evident to me that many in the community of Kinglake feel that they miss out when the council starts spending money, and even though I do not live there it does seem to be the case.
The more any organisation tries to take on, the more it will struggle to do anything well. Murrindindi is a large area, the council has taken on a lot of roles that are not necessary for council.
I believe that if council stuck to the basics, It could do its job well for the whole region and there would be no favourites.
As an example, Swimming pools in Eildon, Alexandra and Yea need to at least be raising enough money to pay for their own existence, it is not right that someone in one area pays the same land rates for a swimming pool that is half an hour or more away from them.
Please do not misunderstand me, I love the swimming pool in Alexandra. I taught my children how to swim in that pool, last summer we would’ve visited that pool on average four afternoons a week.
That’s great for me, but it is not right for those that don’t only live five minutes out of town.
Candidates were provided twelve (12) questions, and invited to respond to six (6) of their choosing. As such, responses will be different from one candidate to another.
The candidate's responses have been published exactly as submitted. The Alexandra and District Traders and Tourism Association (ADTTA) has not altered or edited the content for spelling, accuracy, or tone.
NOTE: This post does not imply that ADTTA endorses any of the candidates in the upcoming elections