Whittlesea is a special place.

It is a proud township where people celebrate its history, look out for each other and value open space. Anybody who attends the ANZAC March could tell you that. Whittlesea has a character that should be respected and protected.

The government has already acted to protect important areas from inappropriate growth and sprawl. Victoria's planning laws mean these decisions cannot simply be waved through by council, developers or landowners. Where protected land and boundaries are involved, any attempt to weaken those protections faces a much higher legal and parliamentary hurdle.

That protection is important. But legislation alone does not stop the pressure from developers, landbankers and speculators who look at townships like Whittlesea and see the next opportunity for smaller lots, more subdivision and more development.

I understand why locals are concerned. Whittlesea should not be treated as a place to be carved up by people who do not live here, do not understand the town, and will not have to live with the consequences.

Some developers claim that Whittlesea residents support this.

Recent practical action to upgrade Whittlesea Secondary College and fund park improvements reflects something important: towns do not have to get bigger to get better.

I want to keep working with locals on the next priorities: safer local roads, better pedestrian links, local safety and the day-to-day issues that matter to people who live here.

I also want residents on the record.

Do you support strong protections for Whittlesea, so local character is respected and inappropriate small-lot subdivision is not allowed to creep in by stealth?

Your feedback will show developers and land speculators that the community rejects their push to open up the area. It will also make it harder for anyone to claim that Whittlesea wants its township character weakened, carved up or traded away.
Whittlesea's character is worth protecting.

My job is to stand with locals to make sure that happens.