Welcome to the website. I’m David Ellis, Manningham councillor.
As you may know, I am a member of the Victorian Greens and was a candidate for the Greens in the last state and federal elections. However, I stood for Council in 2008, as an independent.
Why? Well, I remain very committed to a sustainable environment and the charter principles of the Greens but I also believe that party-political divisions are not the best way to go in local government: at least, not in Manningham.
My aim as a councillor will be to be to act in the best interests of our community. There is no doubt that right now we face some very serious challenges in the immediate future economically and environmentally.
I will work productively with any other councillors who are prepared to join me in meeting those challenges with vision, sound management and leadership - irrespective of party allegiances.
What do you think of this ‘non-aligned’ approach in local government? Have your view on this and any other matter you wish to raise on the Your Say page.
Tough times.
The world financial situation doesn’t look like getting better anytime soon. I’ve been in business long enough to know the value of sound financial management through times of economic recession. That’s what I want to bring to Manningham Council: keeping rates down, minimising waste and keeping council services running at maximum efficiency. If you have a view or question on improving our Council’s productivity and financial management, just contact me.
Freeway: Not here –but there.
The state government appear to have revised their thinking on extending the Eastlink tollway through Warrandyte’s Green Wedge and the Mullum Mullum creeklands, Park Orchards and Banyule. Instead their current Transport Plan involves a similar extension through Banyule, including the Banyule parklands. It seems that while our State Government remains overwhelmingly committed to extending car-based transport, local communities are going to suffer the effects. (Not to be totally negative, the recent plan for new train services in Melbourne’s north, and for better buses in Manningham is a welcome breakthrough. Maybe our state politicians are starting to get the message on public transport.)
We don’t need further encroachment on our open space. A sensible alternative to these costly freeways: Better allocation of arterial roads and a serious commitment to functional public transport. As a councillor, I am putting this case at every opportunity.
With the help of some terrific supporters and local businesses, our petition against the tollway achieved over 3,200 signatures. It was presented to the Victorian Parliament by Greens MP Greg Barber as a clear statement of community feeling that this ill-considered project should NOT proceed.
Please Note : this is not an official Council Website. The content is published by myself and represents my own views which are not necessarily endorsed by other councillors or Council as a whole, nor should they be assumed to represent the view of Manningham Council.
Below is my Blog of events leading up to the council election:
October 31. I joined Sue Genziuk of Donvale (active member of 
Australian Conservation Foundation) on a deputation to federal member Kevin Andrews. Main point: to bring his attention to the effect of logging in our water catchments which actually costs us more than 60 gigalitres (that’s 60 billion litres) every year. This is state government policy and right now they are just not listening. Lobbying and pressure from others in the political process can be useful. That is exactly what is happening at local government level: so far 15 municipal and shire councils have passed resolutions calling for an end to the logging of water catchments. Manningham is not one of them. If I am elected to Council I plan to make it a priority to get Manningham on board on this important water-conservation measure.
September 24: our Climate Emergency forum with guest speaker David Spratt, author of Climate Code Red. This is a close look, aided by most recent science, and at a very serious and imminent problem. All governments - local, state and federal - need to have responsible strategies in place right now. Regrettably this is not happening at anything like the rate that is needed. But things are stirring at the community level...
About fifty people attended our Code Red forum and heard guest speaker David Spratt and myself.
Local state member Ryan Smith (with me, below) came to listen and learn. (Good to see him there, but: still working on him! The fact is political representatives right across the board have been slower than many business leaders and the general public on this issue. One thing I can do is make sure that in Manningham we are ready with responsible and fast local action. Further details under Big Issues and Meet the Press)
September 10. Our Genetic Engineering forum (for & against) at Doncaster East Uniting Church drew a wide and enthusiastic response. I chaired the meeting while our two guest speakers put their respective cases and fielded questions. Animated group discussion followed. (Local councils and the whole electorate need to be fully informed about this major issue. If you have a view or query you are welcome to contact me here.
I was glad of the chance to join a large protest ride by motorcyclists on July 5 specifically against the road tax imposed on motorbikes. As petrol shortages, road congestion and global warming all begin to take effect I think it makes sense to encourage people to make the move from four wheels to two – and especially when it means a move to the new electric scooters and bikes (some very impressive machines). The event was an obvious success with many hundreds of riders heading in convoy from East Doncaster to Frankston to make their point. Here I am (picture) with organiser Damian Codognotto and Stuart Strickland, CEO of Honda Australia.
July 26 was national tree-planting day. I spent the morning with Graham Patterson and Friends of the Yarra Valley revegetating areas of bushland in Bulleen, planting trees and grasses. Here I am with Graham (front) Paula and Bruce. Groups like this do a terrific job in repairing and restoring native bushland. Others in the immediate area include Friends of Warrandyte State Park and the Hundred Acres group in Park Orchards.
Written and authorised by David Ellis, Tills Drive, Warrandyte
Web Site by Bilby Web Design, Warrandyte
Please send technical comments on the webpage to bilby@davidellis.net.au
