Socialist Alliance (SA) Councillor is standing for re-election to Greater Geelong City Council in Corio Ward, which includes some of Victoria’s .
Corio Ward includes Norlane, Corio, North Shore, Lovely Banks, Bell Park and Bell Post Hill.
Hathway told 鶹ý volunteers “plan to knock on every door in the ward between now and October” to have as many conversations with residents as possible on issues that matter to them.
“Every time we have door-knocked in Norlane and Corio, we find residents are shocked that someone has taken the time to ask them what they think about pressing issues and what they want done,” Hathway said.
“Residents in the Northern suburbs are sick of being taken for granted by state, federal and long-term Councillors who believe the North is a safe Labor seat.”
Hathway said “the disparity in basic amenities between the North and other wards is obvious”.
She cited the recently-opened aquatic centre and community hall facilities as “improvements”, but said they are still not affordable for those people for whom these facilities were purportedly built for.
“The cost-of-living crisis is hitting people in my area very hard. That means we need Councillors who are prepared to campaign for Council-run services, that are affordable, family-friendly and accessible.”
Hathway also said the area “needs the basics”, including local parks and drainage and flooding issues fixed.
“Council has a role to play in representing the community on political issues such as public housing.
“Why can’t we use Council-owned land, and together with state and federal governments build the public housing we so desperately need?”
Hathway said council can also “foster social inclusion” with education campaigns tackling racism, providing services for the LGBTIQ community. She has an exemplary track record of standing with communities impacted by Israel’s genocide in Palestine.
Hathway, a social worker, works in community mental health services. Before that she was a union organiser for 5 years in the health sector.
Since being elected via a count back in June 2023, Hathway has worked with residents to set up the Free Palestine Geelong group, last October, supported the campaigns to oppose a proposal for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Lara and worked with residents to revitalise public spaces.
Angela Carr has been preselected as SA’s second candidate for the Greater Geelong City Council and will be running in Hamlyn Heights Ward.
Carr is a community services worker, a union delegate and is active in a range of community campaigns, including opposing Council’s plans to defund libraries. Residents ran such a good campaign they won additional funding, and kept all the local libraries open.
She is a strong advocate for public housing and housing affordability and helped to found the Geelong Housing Action Group.
Carr is also working with residents opposed to the incinerator in Lara.
[Get involved in Sarah Hathway for Corio on ǰ or Angela Carr for Hamlyn Heights on ǰ.]