Leading Melbourne - The Issues - Brooke Wandin

Our Indigenous Culture

The context for what I would hope to achieve in Council is underpinned by my very election: As the first Wurundjeri woman of the Kulin Nation my presence on Council will create change:

At every Council meeting we could be welcomed to Country not only acknowledge Country;

Council would have a person that could listen and understand the issues of Aboriginal people and bring them before Council. A safe and sympathetic voice in the system at its highest level of representation;

Melbourne will have a Councillor who could wholeheartedly own and stand for the Council's plans and policies with respect to its Indigenous communities and history.

I would also like to:

Nourish and communicate the knowledge of the current Melbourne Ambassadors. They often have no knowledge of history, their uniforms create no link to our Indigenous culture, and there are few Aboriginals working in their ranks who could share our old and sacred history;

Create an office of Kulin Nation leadership. We could create a resource of local Aboriginal people who could train, educate, welcome, and guide for the Council, businesses, tourists, visitors, and at our events. This is a great social enterprise that we at the Council could lead and develop.

Every Building Sustainable Now

WE WILL aim to have every building in Melbourne fully embrace all possible sustainability improvements, including energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, on their property.

We will build upon the Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA) to include residential property and to explore options to drastically improve take up. This is a cost free option for all business and domestic residents of Melbourne to immediately move towards being carbon neutral.

With this agenda the city would lead the world in sustainability. We would create sustainable new jobs and Melbourne would be the centre for development in sustainability; regionally,nationally and internationally. This agenda means great jobs and opportunity for the future of our city.

Homes, Not Homelessness

Homelessness in Melbourne is not a social services issue - it is all of our issue. The solution is complex but not when you approach it with commitment and the support of all sectors of the community. We can change this situation, and quickly, but only if we give it priority and focus.

WE WILL fix this issue for those who are homeless and for everyone else who is frightened or left helpless because of it.