By BEN CAMERON
A CARDINIA Shire councillor fears an incoming Labor government would turn a deaf ear to the shire.
In his nomination speech for the mayoral role on Monday night, former mayor George Blenkhorn urged closer ties with the City of Casey to advocate for major projects which benefit both areas.
Cr Blenkhorn feared that with Labor odds-on to return to power, several Liberal candidates set to claim local seats would not have the ear of the future state government.
The seats of Gembrook and Bass appear all but locked away by the Liberal Party.
He said if elected, new Casey mayor Mick Morland had agreed to meet monthly to “co-ordinate our advocacy approaches”.
However Ranges Ward Cr Leticia Wilmot was elected mayor with an overwhelming 6-1 vote.
“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,” Cr Blenkhorn said.
“With due respect to (Labor candidate for Gembrook) Cr Collin Ross, if the opinion polls are correct, all three seats 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 State Government has promised a $310m overhaul of Thompsons Road if re-elected.
