Serge Thomann: Councillor for Catani Ward
"The recent struggles across Port Phillip serve as fertile ground to rethink our future"
Local Issues Matter
I understand St Kilda as an incubator of rich ideas and a unique place in Melbourne’s landscape, and a connected
engaged community.
As such, St Kilda needs a strong representative, who will support residents in their day to day needs, deliver social justice, education, environmental actions and sustainable development, nurture the arts and encourage the wellbeing of local residents and traders.
On Council I will act to:
- Impose strict licensing laws to curb excessive drinking in St Kilda’s hot spots;
- Address the problem of noisy revelers in residential streets;
- Improve our footpaths and pedestrian access to public transport, parks and beach;
- Clean up our streets and better manage litter in public places;
- Upgrade the Peanut Farm and other sporting facilities, to encourage people to be more active;
- Encourage arts and cultural initiatives in St Kilda;
- Review the costs and benefits to the local community of St Kilda Festival Sunday ‘Street Party ‘and the major events plan for the foreshore;
- Support the Ecocentre achieve a more prominent role in our community; and
- Ensure St Kilda’s development meets the needs of our diverse demographics.
No less importantly we must achieve an acceptable and responsible outcome for the Triangle, acknowledging the legal rights of Babcock-Brown-Citta (BBC).
There are three possible scenarios at this stage:
1. If our legal challenge succeeds we will ensure BBC delivers a revised plan, through a transparent processes and public involvement, that genuinely meets key objectives of the Urban Design Framework;
2. A fresh start is only possible if BBC abandons its development rights. This would pave the way for a new funding model for the Palais and an opportunity to deliver a truly visionary and innovative outcome, sensitively designed to respect the rest of the site, its heritage and history - and wishes of the community; and
3. If our legal challenge fails we abide by our duty to thoroughly scrutinise BBC’s subsequent planning permits, ensuring planning constraints are imposed to meet community interests, not stretched to fit exponential growth and to further commercial gains.
Telephone: 0411 188 980
Email: serge4catani@gmail.com
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I have been an active citizen of Port Phillip for 25 years. I live and work in Catani.
I am as outspoken as I am passionate, and this has made me unpopular with most of the current Councillors, to the point that they have circulated unsavoury rumours, aimed to intimidate and silence me and the unChain St Kilda movement. It has taken all my courage and fortitude to stand up to the innuendo and bullying coming from the Town Hall.
As President (and founder) of the Unchain St. Kilda campaign, my main objective was to ensure that the voice of the people of St. Kilda was heard. The campaign was based on the “keep the bastards honest” attitude - an approach I plan to bring to Council and ensure the values of trust, truth and transparency become the standard to be expected of our council.
The Triangle should have been a centre of real significance in the creative life of Melbourne, a place of seaside fun for young and old, and an outstanding model of sustainable development. Rather than revitalizing St Kilda, this plan is rooted in a 1970s car dependent development model - a massive beachside shopping mall and supermarket and another cluster of nightclubs, beer barns and other alcohol dependent venues.
We’re still trying to unravel the secret process that led to this decision. Our Freedom of Information requests have been blocked at every turn. Our questions dismissed. Promises made to the community about hard fought concessions were clawed back in the final plan. Now Council is using our rates to produce slick advertising materials promoting the developer’s interests. Last month as the financial crisis took its toll and credit became scarce, Councillors threw the developer a lifeline by agreeing to its request to delay the project's start 12 months.
I am running for Council so that our City will never again have to be party to secret agreements with developers, endorse manipulation of policy by officers, and tolerate shoddy tender processes.
I will ensure our processes are open and honest and that we govern for the benefit of local people not the political ambitions of individuals. I am not a member of a political party, therefore I can proudly say that my community, the people of St Kilda and Port Phillip, are my party.
My father was a Mayor and Councillor for 30 years in a French town in Alsace where I grew up. He created a community that respected all its citizens - youth, families, traders, the elderly and the disadvantaged.
In the footsteps of my mentor, I am determined to create a Port Phillip that we will be proud again to live in, a Port Phillip that once more reflects and acts on the values of collaboration, care, community and creativity.
In particular, I understand St Kilda as an incubator of rich ideas, a unique place in Melbourne’s landscape, and a connected engaged community. As such, St Kilda needs a strong representative, who will support residents in their day to day needs, deliver social justice, education, environmental actions and sustainable development, nurture the arts and encourage the wellbeing of local businesses.
My work as a social photographer has brought me into contact with people from all walks of life and all sides of politics. I have used my broad networks to promote and nurture talent and organise events. I continuously donate my time in support of local charities, such as the Sacred Heart Mission and local campaigns, such as the Acland Court and Espy battles, but also the MS Society, the Cancer Ward at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and the national AIDS Trust.
I will bring to Council the essential elements needed to give to Port Phillip a connected community, visionary leadership and sustainable innovation.
I have the honour of being blood brother to Aboriginal leader and Yothu Yindi singer Mandawuy Yundupingu, who gave me the name Gutjuk, meaning hawk, as a symbol of my sharp vision and ‘don't be afraid of the fire’ attitude.
The time of the hawk has come.
Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Telephone: 0411 188 980
Email: serge4catani@gmail.com
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