The key issues they are working for are:

• keeping planning decisions in local hands
• improve financial management of  council towards providing better services
• improving safety and accessibility for all residents, especially the elderly and disabled
• an independent council, unaffected by pressure from developers
• create a culture of community consultation and participation
• ensuring your council is in your hands

8 Things John Sidoti would do for Burwood Liberals

1. Planning Laws

We will use every available means to get back our planning powers from the State Labor Government for the benefit of our local community, even if that means taking legal action through the courts. The State Labor Government’s plan to force an extra 7700 high-rise dwellings into our suburb must be stopped! This Labor plan will place more stress on our over-stretched amenities and will threaten our quality of life.

2. Roads and Footpaths

We will order immediate repairs to those dangerous roads and footpaths already identified by the Council, and commence an audit of all local roads and footpaths to identify unsafe surfaces
for the repair programme.

3. Street Lighting

We will introduce a programme where residents can phone-in ‘dark spots’ in need of improved lighting. In addition we will begin an immediate audit of our suburb and commence
negotiations with private enterprise and EnergyAustralia to either install or upgrade street lights where required.

4. Traffic Matters

We will identify and implement best practice currently used effectively by other councils to eliminate speeding and reduce traffic congestion in local residential streets. In consultation with
residents directly affected by such traffic issues, we will consider the use of more roundabouts, speed humps and speed signs where appropriate.

5. Tree Maintenance

We will immediately implement a regular tree maintenance programme and will respond promptly to residents’ concerns about trees damaging footpaths and interfering with street
lighting. We will also implement regular cleaning programmes in areas adversely affected by tree leaves.

6. Burwood Railway Station

We will voice the communities’ outrage at the Labor State Government’s 13 years of inaction on the repeatedly announced upgrade to Burwood Station. We will pledge $1 million towards
the urgent upgrade of Burwood Railway Station. We can achieve this by cutting back on senior staff & consultants.

7. Pensioner and Disabilities Rates Rebate

We will increase the pensioner and disability rebate by $100 per annum and we will achieve this by cutting the Mayor’s advertising budget.

8. Better Financial Management

We will set clear restrictions on all unnecessary expenditure, including wasteful advertising such as politicians promoting themselves, as part of our plan to better manage ratepayers’
money.We will conduct an audit of all council expenditure to ensure ratepayers’ money is spent on basic services and community facilities.