CRRA continues to provide a crucial forum for opinion

THIS Saturday a new Cardinia Shire Council will be elected.
The composition of that council is a matter yet to be decided by voters. However, many residents are saying they have never known such active campaigning in the shire prior to a council election.
Perhaps this is a good sign that members of the ratepaying and resident community are alert and discussing the relevant issues, thinking about local democracy and how they want to be represented on council for the next three years.
Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association has contributed to this remarkable situation by providing a forum in which election candidates could make themselves known and where the community could meet those candidates and discuss the crucial issues. The first of these events was held on Friday 4 November at Pakenham Public Hall where over 100 people attended a Meet the Candidates evening. Fourteen candidates were present. Only one of the current councillors attended.
The second event was a Community Forum at Pakenham Racecourse on Sunday 13 November, where CRRA joined with local business people and residents to provide an opportunity for people to listen to candidates and community members discussing the major issues important to them in this council election.
Generous support and goodwill was provided to assist with running this event, with over 100 people attending. Thousands of leaflets have been printed and delivered in Central Ward, and in some township wards.
This has been done by paid delivery and also by volunteers willing to walk long distances in order to support genuine community candidates standing for election.
This is all seen as an indication of the need for some changes in the Cardinia Shire Council and it is to be hoped the result on 26 November will bring about those changes.
Whatever the outcome, CRRA remains committed to providing a forum for the opinions of local ratepayers and residents to be heard and to ensure that the performance of council will continue to be monitored.
Gloria O’Connor,
CRRA president,
Pakenham Upper.