Voices for Melbourne to fight for a new high school in Docklands

Lord Mayoral candidate Greg Bisinella, who is leading the resident-led campaign Voices for Melbourne, said his team was advocating for a new high school in Docklands to cater to the growing number of families living in the area.

Mr Bisinella, who until recently served as president of East Melbourne residents’ organisation the East Melbourne Group, said a new school either in Docklands or nearby was critical for the community’s future.

“The Docklands neighbourhood is an integral piece of the jigsaw that makes up the City of Melbourne,” Mr Bisinella said.

Its unique characteristics and its residents and local businesses deserve and demand improved servicing and support from the City of Melbourne.

Mr Bisinella is running alongside candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor and Carlton resident Megan Stevenson and well-known West Melbourne resident and local Docklands Primary School parent Mary Masters.

Ms Masters will be no stranger to readers of this masthead, with the local mother of two and passionate community activist being central to many grassroots campaigns, namely relating to safety and planning issues surrounding local schools.

As recently reported in sibling publication North West City News, Ms Masters played an integral role in successfully lobbying the state government to reduce the speed limit along Curzon St between North Melbourne Primary School’s two campuses.

She has also been a leading voice advocating for new secondary schools in Docklands and the Arden Precinct, as well as for safety upgrades surrounding Docklands Primary School.

“I work with the community in trying to get better outcomes,” Ms Masters said.

“So much of my time is spent advocating to the council, and it’s better that we have someone who’s representing residents, truly representing residents,” adding that the community deserved a “council that listens, acts with integrity, and genuinely represents the people who live and work in this city.”

“Together, we can build a council that truly reflects the voices of Melbourne,” Ms Masters said.

Mr Bisinella said Voices for Melbourne was committed to a progressive agenda that addressed the need for transparency, integrity and reform at the council, with a focus on key economic, social and environmental opportunities for the municipality.

He said his team also wanted to develop a comprehensive traffic management plan for Docklands to handle the influx of vehicles after major events at Marvel Stadium, as well as plan to better manage protests to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.

He added that the team would seek reform of the “undemocratic electoral provisions of the City of Melbourne Act 2001”, including the removal of the two votes for non-resident owners and business, the return of a ward structure and attendance voting.

Joining Ms Masters on the Voices for Melbourne council ticket will be Carlton resident James Robertson, who will run in the number two spot. •