Welcome to my site.
Hi, my name is Julie Emmins. I am currently running for the Wodonga Council with another 19 people, which I believe is the biggest group to run for Wodonga Council.
I am a 21 year old mother of two and carer. I like many others have nominated because of disappointment of current council. I know there are people happy with current council, and it may just be because they haven't been affected yet.
To me a council is a representative of the community, and is put there on behalf of the community. So I think it would make sense that residents deserve a high input into decision making and I don't see this happening at current.
Top priority is council debt. Wodonga Council has one of the dearest rates in Victoria and at present has $30 plus million dollars in debt. Now if I was to say I want to cut spending I might not be seen as the nice guy, but eliminating debt is going to be top priority because it benefits everyone. We don't need rate rises because of debt rises, especially when everything else in a household budget rises.
For me community knowledge of local services is an issue I'd like to see improved. (On a personal note it has taken be 4 years to realise the help here for personal carers, and thats too long.) I'd like people in the community to know whats happening here for themselves and also if they could help put back into the community, such as volunteer and not for profit programs. With this in mind I'd like to see more events that volunteer/ not for profit groups can be apart of to raise profits for their groups.
Because I am 21 I know it was just a few years ago I said 'there's nothing here to do', and I am still hearing this with youth or youths parents. So more events for youth is important as I believe if youth are busy its going to stop them getting into trouble. And just because I'm mentioning more doesn't mean more in spending. There are things we can do to be affordable for both parents and council. Overall though more events for anyone and everyone would be great. Whether its for kids, families, youth, elders etc.
Another note to make is I am against the spending on High Street at current. As I have mentioned council debt is priority and if major spending is not a necessity it needs to be reconsidered.
Wodonga Saleyards is fine where it is. I am a resident of Killara and have had community meetings here and everyone seems to agree the Saleyards do not bother us, (smell, noise). So why do we need to move it? Lets say I have opinions as to why council are doing it but put this aside, moving this will cost us more than to improve the current site. (On a personal note there is a walking track beside the saleyards and my KIDS LOVE IT).
As I have mentioned I am a resident of Killara and a factor to why I wanted to join council is to stand up for the smaller suburbs like Killara, Bonegilla, Ebden and Leneva. Whether or not much need doing to these areas I am sure everyone wants to be seen and heard equally, and people have mentioned to me that they dont feel like council even notices them, until ratepaying time. I could go on with issues in Killara that council have done nothing about while our residents complain continuously...and I expect it happens in other areas too. I want to see an equal community where everyone feels respected.
As for my age I know I cant say I've live here for 30 years like some can say, and the same with work experiences. But I don't want my age to be a negative like some point out at me. To me if you really care about your community and want to improve it, that means much more then any age. I can also say I've cared for my mum since leaving school and partly before that. With this I've had life experiences many others haven't had as well as a high role of responsibility. I would love to get on council to show that I am determined and mature enough to make a difference.
Thanks Julie
authorised by Julie Emmins
4 Park Street Killara