Border Mail Survey Response

Published Friday 19 September 2025

Should Wodonga Council continue to lobby for a single-site hospital?

Wodonga Council has responsibility to plan for our growing community. Health services are critical to our community. The evidence clearly shows the need for improved health services.

As Wodonga’s Mayor, I made advocating for a new, fit for purpose hospital a priority. A hospital with university medical teaching and military medic training, on a greenfield site. I’m solutions focused. I brought our region’s councils together for a health summit and commenced constructive engagement with the commonwealth government.

I thoroughly understand the processes of development and how to work with government to achieve the health services and infrastructure our community needs.

What would you like to see done at Junction Place, given the land has sat idle for some time?

Junction Place is the most important opportunity in the city centre and is vital for economic and social vibrancy. It’s been tied up in red tape and bureaucratic advisory groups achieving nothing for far too long.

It’s an opportunity to strengthen the commercial centre by expanding hospitality, entertainment, conference, auditorium, and visitor accommodation, in the city centre. The original work provided attractive public spaces in Junction Square and Richardson Park, but development has stalled.

Importantly, it must be economically viable in its own right to stand the test of time. If elected I will make Junction Place a priority project.

Does Wodonga have enough poker machines?

Whilst acknowledging that some sectors of our community are vehemently opposed to poker machines, they are currently legal in Victoria subject to State government regulations and approvals.

In fairness Council should avoid discrimination between venues and allow the rules to be applied. All relevant venues should have a right to proceed through the approval process. Unless there are other planning reasons and given that some venues exist, then Council should not discriminate between venues purely based on a dislike of poker machines. The normal review and approval process should run its course. Within the rules, let the marketplace decide.

Do you think Killara has the appropriate services? What could be done to improve that for residents?

We need to build the community infrastructure that Riverside needs. Services and facilities have not kept pace with development. Riverside now has about 500 homes, with plans for nearly 1,700 as development continues.

Whilst I was mayor the second entrance was approved but construction seems to have stalled. We need to get construction started without further delay. Whilst Riverside has good local parks, there is a need for public toilets, a community BBQ, a dedicated fenced off-leash Dog Park, and child safety fencing of Cuthbert Street Park. It is also time to get the local neighbourhood shops precinct started.

What is the biggest issue specific to Lake Hume ward ratepayers, and what will you do to fix it?

There are two consistently raised issues. High rates and inadequate growth infrastructure. I have committed to keeping rates lower. I will prioritise better budget management. Inadequate growth planning for increasing traffic volumes on the Lake Hume Ward corridor is raising traffic capacity and safety issues. I will prioritise infrastructure to accommodate the growth.

I’ll advocate to duplicate Bandiana Link Road, build William Page Drive, upgrade ANZAC Parade - Murray Valley Highway - Kiewa Valley Highway intersection. The second entrance to Riverside Estate needs to be started without delay. I will advocate for better bus services to our growth corridor.