Grilling time

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
Residents stood up and voiced their frustrations and problems within the community.
They were concerned with the current state of aged care, health, crime, law and order, employment and industry, local council, and logging, in Gembrook.
The Millgrove Residents Action Group held its meet the candidates forum last Wednesday 17 November at the Baptist church, with five of the 10 Gembrook candidates in attendance.
More than 50 people turned up to hear the views and policies of (in ballot paper order) Liberal candidate Brad Battin, independent candidate Hayden Ostrom Brown, Nationals candidate Peter McConachy, independent candidate Robert Belcher and Labor sitting member Tammy Lobato.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato copped negative comments for the way Labor has handled the health system, crime and logging over the last 11 years, with residents also reprimanding the Liberals for previous damaging actions.
Mr Battin spoke about law and order, and as a former police officer his experience on the subject was evident but his zero tolerance approach was questioned. Some residents were concerned with the difference between getting criminals off the street and filling up the jail system.
Nationals candidate Peter McConachy spoke about the Coalition’s logging policy, his own experience coming from running the Powelltown mill. He said Victoria’s plantations were at a ratio that exportation couldn’t keep up with.
Ms Lobato said her personal view on logging in catchment areas still stood firm.
“I don’t believe there’s sustainable logging in water catchments,” she said.
“I was elected by the people of Gembrook. I represent them first and foremost.”
Nineteen-year-old Hayden Ostrom Brown told residents he wasn’t a local, but he said the problems in Upper Beaconsfield mirrored those along the Warburton Highway.
Independent Robert Belcher said he had been “on the planet a reasonable amount of time” to have a strong vision on health, education and the environment.
Residents said afterwards that it was good to listen to both sides and get a better idea of what each candidate stood for.
Some residents commented on Mr Battin’s strength of character and said they were surprised by how strongly he spoke.
Others were sure that Ms Lobato’s work in the community would continue.