Make Melbourne Green

The Melbourne Times today suggests that some councillors may be second-guessing their own support for the Planning Committee’s decision on June 3rd (see the prior post).

Bianca Hall reports on Page 3 that despite the Planning Committee’s unanimous decision to overturn council’s original support for the East-West Tunnel, “the council’s political resolve shows early signs of wavering. Several councillors were later oscillating about how they intended to vote when the matter goes before the full council.”

Of particular concern is Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer who, it seems, had no qualms in telling Ms Hall that: “I haven’t made up my mind… I can see the arguments on both sides… I’ll be making up my mind closer to the date.” Might his vote on June 3rd end up being totally meaningless? And which other councillors might yet let the residents of the City of Melbourne down?

Click “read more” to see where the councillors stand and find out what you can do to ensure that council upholds its opposition to the tunnel.

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Lord Mayor John So

We can only assume that the Lord Mayor has, since returning to the city (he was absent from the committee meeting on June 3rd), spoken with his team of councillors and tried to whip them into shape to support his own stance, which has been one of unwavering support of the state government and the East-West tunnel.

As recently as yesterday, The Age quoted him as saying: “In principle I support the east-west tunnel”.

Let him know that that’s not good enough. You can email him here.

Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer

Has the Lord Mayor’s conversations with his Deputy since June 3rd helped to influence Cr Singer’s decision to distance himself from his committee meeting vote? Let Cr Singer know that the need to take a principled stand with Melbourne’s residents in opposing the tunnel is more important than shoring up his spot on the Leadership Ticket in November. You can email him here.

Cr Fraser Brindley

A vocal opponent of the East-West tunnel since the very beginning, Greens Councillor Fraser Brindley moved the original motion “that the Planning Committee recommends that Council resolve to abandon Council’s support for an East West Road Tunnel” (Planning Committee meeting minutes - pdf).

Cr Peter Clarke

Cr Clarke has been a supporter of the East-West tunnel project in the past. He did vote against the project on June 3rd, but not before attempting to delay a vote on the project for 5 weeks in order to allow more time for councillors to make their decisions. He indicated to the Melbourne Times yesterday that “he might introduce a different recommendation”. Whether he does or not, let him know which way you expect him to vote on the substantive motion by emailing him here.

Cr Carl Jetter, Cr David Wilson and Cr Brian Shanahan

Each of these three councillors, present at the June 3rd committee meeting, have indicated to the Melbourne Times and The Age that they intend to vote in favour of the original resolution to oppose the tunnel. Hopefully Cr Jetter (email) and Cr Wilson (email), both part of So’s team, will stay strong.

Cr Catherine Ng

Cr Ng, notorious for her poor attendance record at committee meetings, was absent from the June 3rd meeting. The Melbourne Times quotes Cr Ng as wanting to examine “alternative solutions”. The lead candidate on the team So council ticket in 2004, Cr Ng will no doubt be thinking about her political career as much as any principled stance, but make sure she knows what your stance is. You can email her here.

Cr Fiona Snedden

Cr Snedden was also away from the June 3rd meeting, but is more likely than Cr Ng to vote for the resolution to oppose the tunnel. If Crs Jetter, Wilson and Shanahan stay true to their word and support Cr Brindley’s motion to abandon council support for the tunnel, Cr Snedden’s vote should be enough to clinch a win for the city’s residents. More so than other councillors, it is important that you email her.

Rohan Leppert 11/6/08