Friday, May 4, 2012
A Star News Group publication
MEDICAL APP TO REVOLUTIONISE TREATMENT p5
Phone: 5249 6700 Trades and Classifieds:
NEW FACILITY PUMPS UP p7 OUR MUSSELS
Mayor first hand up for direct election
The Mitch pitch BY JOHN VAN KLAVEREN MAYOR John Mitchell has announced his nomination for Geelong’s first direct mayoral election. Cr Mitchell said hed had received an “inordinate amount of support to run again”. “People from sporting and business circles and the general community have asked me to stand and I wanted to let them know of my decision,” he said. “I wanted to take the angst out of it and take the pressure off the initial announcement.” Residents will have their first chance to choose City of Greater Geelong’s mayor at council elections on October 27. Under the previous system councillors chose the mayor behind closed doors. The Independent revealed last week that the election would run under a preferential system rather than first-pastthe-post. Cr Mitchell said he had received encouragement from both sides of politics. “I’m not a member of a political party, so I’ll be representing everyone, not just sections of the community.” Cr Mitchell said he would run a grassroots campaign. “It won’t be an elaborate campaign. I still have some corflutes left over from the last election. “No doubt some people will throw a lot of money at it but I can’t afford that. I reckon $30,000 would be the upperlimit.” Cr Mitchell said he made his announcement early to avoid it becoming a distraction to his existing work as mayor. “It’ll be a long campaign but
that comes later. My sole focus is about being mayor of the day and I can guarantee that an election campaign will not get in the way of that.” Cr Mitchell said he was unconcerned State Government had yet to finalise the full process for the election and mayoral role. He was happy to stand on his record and achievements as mayor over the past four years. “We certainly bat above our weight in terms of grants received from state and federal governments in the last few years,” he said. Geelong Chamber of Commerce executive officer Bernadette Uzelac said she was unsurprised Cr Mitchell would stand again. “Now that John has shown his hand it might encourage any other potential candidates to announce their intentions,” Ms Uzelac said. “We’re looking for new leadership to take Geelong into the future. Geelong will look for more than simply the status quo. “The business community is looking for a strong leader who can help business grow in the region.” Geelong Trades Hall’s Tim Gooden said the first direct election might let a “person of the people” like Cr Mitchell stand but the system was flawed. “It’s a huge electorate, bigger than any state or federal seat, and changes the power base of the position of mayor. It can lead to corruption,” Mr Gooden said. “Ordinary workers are out of the race because it will cost up to $250,000 to run a campaign.”
On the run: Mayor John Mitchell at City Hall on Wednesday. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 80865
Diplomas now available as traineeships
1300 666 808
Cars plan ‘dumped’ BY JOHN VAN KLAVEREN STATE Government has dumped plans to relocate Melbourne’s import-export car trade to Geelong, State Government has confirmed. Ports Minister Dr Denis Napthine said a $2 million feasibility study found too many “impediments” for the move. Concerns included limited suitable land and restricted access to a one-way shipping channel, he said. The Independent reported in October extensive automotive industry opposition to the move. Dr Napthine said the car trade would consolidate in a new location at Webb Dock. Department of Transport “worked hard” to explore the potential of shifting the car trade to Geelong, he said. But the report ruled that themove “would not be viable”. “The automotive industry raised a number of serious concerns that would have adversely affected their operations. These concerns include the lack of suitable land at the Port of Geelong, which is required to conduct predelivery inspections on imported vehicles as well as to consolidate and prepare vehicles for export. “Access to the shipping channel also proved to be an issue, with ships facing delays due to restrictions in windy conditions coupled with the fact the channel is one-way.” Shadow ports minister Tim Pallas said the “sham of a process” had only disappointed Geelong. “The Government has treated the people of Geelong with contempt in coming out with this in the dead of night just after the budget announcement.” Nissan Australia spokesman Jeffrey Fisher said the decision confirmed car industry concerns. “We always thought any move out of Webb Dock would add to our costs.This decision helps us plan and gives that part of our businesses some continuity.”
READY WITH CA H. Cash from $300 to $3,000 now!
Call us today 5224 2329 www.diversitat.org.au/training
Geelong 5274 9811 1300 FINANCE cityfinance.com.au ACL No: 390546
1026749-JF11-12
Professional development that your boss will agree to. Upskill, get qualified & your workplace gets paid*. *conditions apply
1032152-JF18-12
(with affordable repayments)