By BEN CAMERON
A CARDINIA councillor has urged for closer ties with the City of Casey amid fears that an incoming Labor government would turn a deaf ear to the shire.
In a nomination speech for the mayoral position on Monday night, former mayor George Blenkhorn urged both councils to work together to advocate for major projects which benefit their areas.
Cr Blenkhorn said he feared that with Labor odds-on to return to power, several Liberal candidates set to claim local seats in Cardinia would not have the ear of the future State Government.
Cr Blenkhorn said that if elected, new Casey mayor Mick Morland had agreed to meet monthly to “co-ordinate our advocacy approaches”.
Ranges Ward Cr Leticia Wilmot, who was elected mayor with an overwhelming 6-1 vote, agreed to a similar arrangement.
“Cardinia on its own is a relatively small community but together with Casey our population will in the middle of next year surpass that of Canberra,” he said.
“With due respect to (Labor candidate for Gembrook) Cr Collin Ross, if the opinion polls are correct, all three seat will be held by Liberal members (in the Cardinia Shire).
“None of these will have the ear of ministers in a future Labor government.
“Casey and Cardinia together will be wholly or partly in nine constituencies and at least four of them at present have Labor members.
“I believe it would be greatly to our advantage to work as an equal with Casey to advocate jointly for projects to provide future benefits for both communities.
“We are already working together to encourage more employment in both our areas.”
Cr Blenkhorn said one project of significance was the extension of Thompson Road over Cardinia Creek.
The Liberal State Government has promised a $310 million overhaul of Thompsons Road if re-elected.
