MRRA PRESS RELEASES

(Last Updated 12/10/05)

Local Papers’ Responses To MRRA Press Releases

Press Release #1

Issued 22/9/05   Published:   Kyneton Guardian (in full)

MRRA Wake Up Call To Macedon Ranges’ Residents

Macedon Ranges Residents’ Association (MRRA) is calling on residents to start thinking about the Council election coming up in November.

“So much has changed since the 2003 election, there is potential for a lot of confusion,” said MRRA  Secretary Christine Pruneau.  “MRRA is asking people to take a little time to find out more now.  For example, some non-resident ratepayers and tenants may now need to apply to vote (enrollment closes on September 30th).  Do people know which new ward they are in (e.g. the north face of Mount Macedon and Hesket are now in the East (“Romsey”) ward)? “

MRRA believes Macedon Ranges is at the crossroads and the outcome of the November election will be critical in shaping Macedon Ranges’ future.  “The way some current Councillors perform is terrible, with voting blocks, one-upmanship, and Councillors who don’t stand up for community views and values, are uninformed, don’t do the work, are preoccupied with political party affiliations and ambitions, and/or are pro-development and support ‘good ideas’ instead of good planning”, said Ms Pruneau. “We need to get a better Council.”

The Association is urging people to think about where they want the Shire to be in, say, 10 or 20 years’ time.  Do they want more of what they’ve got now, with Macedon Ranges sliding into suburbia?   Or do they want change?  “With the future of this place at stake, we owe it to ourselves, and future generations, to make informed decisions, and that means we all need to put some thought into where we want Macedon Ranges to go after November.”

Residents can get information from the following websites:  Macedon Ranges Shire Council (www.mrsc.vic.gov.au), Victorian Electoral Commission (www.vec.vic.gov.au), MRRA (www.mrra.asn.au).

Press Release #2

Issued 6/10/05   Published:   Midland Express (in full)  Leader (portion)

First For MRRA:  Will ‘Rate’ Candidates in Council Election

Macedon Ranges Residents’ Association today announces its intention to, for the first time, assess and ‘rate’ candidates in the up-coming Council election.

“Residents have often asked MRRA to show leadership, to ‘do something’.  With potentially large fields of candidates, MRRA feels residents are entitled to know more about the people who want us to trust them with our future,” said MRRA Secretary, Christine Pruneau.

“It’s not about whether MRRA ‘likes’ a candidate, it’s about what the candidate can do for Macedon Ranges.  Make no mistake, Macedon Ranges is at the crossroads and its future very much depends on the calibre of Councillors we have after this election.  We need people who are knowledgeable, committed, creative, and passionate about this place, who can see the ‘big picture’, and are prepared to fight for what most of us value.  We need a better Council and November is our only chance of getting one.”

The Association is preparing criteria against which all candidates will be measured.  Key issues will be the candidate’s values and skills, and their experience and performance in standing up for wider community interests, protecting our towns, environment and heritage, supporting good governance, saying no to suburbia and keeping the Shire rural.  Candidates will generally be measured on their track record, not what they promise this election.

“The object is to put MRRA’s view before voters about how candidates measure up on issues we know are important to most people in the community,” said Ms Pruneau.  “The criteria will be based on MRRA’s Purposes - recently described as comprehensive and holistic.  We believe it’s a sound starting point.  The same criteria will be applied across the board, with points scored or deducted for each criterion.  Candidates will then be given a ‘star’ rating, and initially these results will be published on MRRA’s website.  The more support we get from the community (including donations), the more we will be able to do in getting the message out.”

MRRA will consult other community groups on the criteria, and MRRA members will assess the candidates.  Any MRRA member who runs as a candidate will be automatically excluded from these processes and will be required to stand down from the Association during the election period.

The Association will also review candidates’ statements, and publish any concerns it may hold with those.