Richard Stockman is attempting an audacious swap from Nillumbik Shire Council to Whittlesea City Council at the October 25 local government elections.
Mr Stockman has been a Councillor for Nillumbik’s Blue Lake Ward over the past four years.
His business interests include being a real estate agent, predominantly in the Whittlesea municipality, and running Stockman Wines at Diamond Creek.
He has said over the past four years that many in the community thought he was a Councillor at Whittlesea, even though Adminisitrators were in charged.
Mr Stockman says his vision is “to utilise the expertise I’ve gained from running several successful businesses to ensure Council is held accountable for how effectively they use rate payers money”.
“I work well in a team, but I am also a builder of teams. As an elected representative I feel by
involving the community through listening and respecting their understanding of what needs to
be given priority is very important.”
Mr Stockman is standing for the Bundoora Ward seat of Whittlesea Council. It will be a tight contest, as he has seven competitors: Daniela Zinni, Danny Hanna, Harsh Singh, Jamie Nikolvski, Nimesh Shah, Marcelle Henderson and Anthony Marcuso.
Ms Zinni is a locally raised kindergarten educator; Mr Hanna did not return a questionnaire with personal details to the Victorian Electoral Commission; Harsh Singh said: “My vast experience in the field of farming, market gardens, analytical mind would help with good decision making and create better opportunities for future.”
Mr Nikolvski said his vision is “that Whittlesea provides better council services at a lower cost for ratepayers. That we actually listen to our constituents and try to achieve what they want us to achieve, as we can’t do everything by ourselves. We’re all in this together and we must work for and include each other.”
Bundoora nominee Nimesh Shah said their vision was “for the municipality of Whittlesea Council to improve the happiness and prosperity of the residents and to make it a better to live in by ensuring better infrastructure and more job opportunities with a guarantee of sustainable development by causing least damage to the environment”.
Ms Henderson listed vision points as: “Safety. Kindness. Care. Fiscal responsibility. Health and wellbeing.” She added: “I have been a loyal person in both my family and at work and can bring that loyalty to council.”
Mr Mancuso said: “I will be committed to bringing good governance, reducing waste and restoring services that were cut back.
“I’ll be encouraging a strong local and circular economy plan, local jobs, expanded services with transparency and community consultation. Council must deliver value for every ratepayer dollar spent.”
Meanwhile, the Stockman family are involved in an interesting twist at Nillumbik Council.
Richard Stockman’s wife, Maria, is challenging long-time Ellis Ward Councillor Peter Perkins, who has a strong Diamond Creek base.
Cr Perkins says that he is the longest-ever serving Councillor at Nillumbik, with 15 years in the job, twice as Mayor.
He points to a “lifetime of voluntary work in Diamond Creek, realistic and achievable vision for our future, established and productive working relationships with staff at Nillumbik and MP’s in Government and opposition at state and federal levels.”
Ms Stockman says her vision is “to enhance, make more accessible and generate more local pride within our community”.
She believes that she will bring “good communication and listening skills” to the role.
Also competiting for the Ellis Ward seat will be Darren Zilic and Joe Marchio.