CRANBOURNE GARDENS WARD
Suburbs: Cranbourne West, Cranbourne South, Cranbourne, Junction Village, Botanic Ridge, Devon Meadows, Pearcedale, Cannons Creek, Blind Bight, Warneet
Candidates: Anthony Lake, Michelle Crowther, Jo Muir, Tamas Kapitany, Blessing Nhliziyo, Mary Beth Melton
MARY BETH MELTON
Suburb of residence: Cranbourne.
How long have you lived in Casey? 20 years.
Political party (past and present): None I am Independent.
Occupation, business/employer name: I have worked my entire career in the community services industry for non profits, non government private charities, from program delivery to middle management to the executive level.
Property interests: I am part owner of two properties in Cranbourne.
Business interests: None.
Three most important issues for your ward: In my conversations with residents and neighbours it is clear that people want our council to focus on community safety, fixing the roads and seeing our council demonstrate fiscal responsibility with our ratepayer dollars.
Describe your involvement in the local community:I am a member of the Casey Philharmonic Orchestra, a member of the Casey Ratepayers Association, I represent my neighbourhood body corporate as a committee member.
Why are you standing for election? I am standing for election as I believe that Casey Council needs to get back to basics. Residents want to see value for dollar and want to see councillors demonstrating fiscal responsibility, diligence, integrity, accountability and most of all, transparency.
What is your campaign budget? $500.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? None.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? None.
TAMAS KAPITANY
Suburb of residence: Devon Meadows
How long have you lived in Casey? 34 years.
Political party (past and present):
None though I did support a friend setting up an independent party which morphed into another party (Fusion). Though I never voted or partook in anything, withdrew recently.
Occupation, business/employer name: Director National Dinosaur Museum Canberra, owner Crystal World exhibition Centre in Devon Meadows, Collectors Corner Garden World, international consultant to governments and small communities around the world
Property interests: My home/Crystal World in Devon Meadows.
Business interests: Numerous as above.
Three most important issues for your ward: Neglect by the city of Casey. Lack of sealed of maintained roads and footpaths. Overrating properties after rezoning without a change of use.
Describe your involvement in the local community: Education in science and natural history, particularly geology, saving Rosie the Shark. Supporting local landholders from overbearing council staff.
Why are you standing for election? Locals suggested I can make a difference. Mostly as I am prepared to stand up and fight authoritarian council staff.
What is your campaign budget? Whatever is needed!
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? My own companies; (me).
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? None – foolishly.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Beth Melton as she and I have shared information. Though no personal contact.
BLESSING NHLIZIYO
Suburb of residence: I am a long-term resident of the City Of Casey and proud resident of the suburb of Junction Village 3977 which is a suburb that is situated on the northernmost border of the Cranbourne Gardens Ward.
How long have you lived in Casey? I have lived in the city of Casey for almost two decades now, and during that time I have also lived in several other areas within the City of Casey. I have deep connections within the City of Casey community including family and social connections. My professional life has also seen me work on a number of projects within the City of Casey including telecommunications development and upgrade projects, renewable energy development projects amongst a plethora of other developments.
Political party (past and present): I have no specific political party affiliation and have a non-partisan approach in that respect. My focusing is mainly on noting and supporting those that are supportive of our local community’s development.
Occupation, business/employer name: I am an experienced town planning consultant and development manager with over a decade of experience in facilitating major developments across Australia (including project right here in the City of Casey). I am currently a development approval manager for a local engineering firm specialising in renewable energy development.
Property interests: My family and I are proud residents and rat payers with property interests in the City of Casey. We love and believe in the City of Casey as a wonderful place to live and raise a family. A place with a colorful tapestry of people and culture. A place we are happy to call home (a sentiment we are likely continue to carry for years to come).
Business interests: I conduct work in the City of Casey area on behalf of clients.
Three most important issues for your ward:1. Upgrading existing infrastructure. 2. Facilitating new development. 3. Advocating for new schools. 4. Advocating and supporting council efforts aimed at alleviating cost of living pressures on City of Casey residents.
Describe your involvement in the local community: I have a strong history of community involvement, including conducting outreach programs, participating in social groups, and supporting local initiatives.
Why are you standing for election? My drive for standing for election to represent the interests of Cranbourne Gardens Ward residents stems from wanting to make a positive contribution to the long term development of our wonderful (our home) and to use my professional, social and personal experience to help foster positive changes in our community.
What is your campaign budget? I am a self-funded independent candidate who (with the support of the Cranbourne Gardens Community) is looking to give back to the community over the next four years as part of the City of Casey Council.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? I believe in the vision of a thriving City of Casey so much that I have set out to self-fund the entire campaign thus far.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? N/A.
Who will you direct your preferences to? These are yet to be determined.
JO MUIR
Suburb of residence: City of Casey.
How long have you lived in Casey? 18 years.
Political party (past and present): Nil.
Occupation, business/employer name: Inclusion, community and marketing manager at the Amstel Group
Property interests: Owner/occupier of a residential property in the City of Casey.
Business interests: Nil.
Three most important issues for your ward: Bringing back trust in our council following many years of uncertainty. Having a transparent councillor who is willing to have a seat at the table for all issues that the Cranbourne Gardens Ward raises with me. Community safety and the reduction of crime in our area.
Describe your involvement in the local community: Working alongside people living with a disability and providing a trailblazing program for training and employment opportunities at no cost to the participant has been a huge step forward to creating an inclusive culture in the area of Cranbourne. The Every 1 Cafe sees over 1000 customers a year and all money raised through this goes back to local charities such as the Cranbourne SES. I was also nominated as a finalist in the 2024 Casey Community Awards in the category of Inclusion and Diversity for my work completed in the City of Casey.
Why are you standing for election? As the City of Casey undertakes a new journey, I am honored to stand as a candidate for Cranbourne Gardens Ward. Leveraging my 25 years of business expertise, neurodiverse coaching qualifications, management acumen, and community leadership skills. Coupled with a proven track record of successfully running my own business and currently serving as Inclusion and Community Manager, I have fostered deep community connections, positively impacting many local residents. As a homeowner, ratepayer, and long-time resident I am deeply invested in this community. I proudly raised my family here. My active social participation in local clubs, weekly walks through our beautiful Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, support of many local businesses and patronage of local cafes are just a small insight into what our community means to me. My vision is for a council who prioritises inclusivity, fiscal responsibility, and well-being, keeping our roads safe and enabling all residents to flourish.
What is your campaign budget? Unsure at this stage of the campaign. I would estimate that this will be around $1000.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? Nil. My campaign is funded by myself only.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? Nil.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Those who I believe will benefit the Casey Gardens Ward. I will make this decision closer to the time after looking at the offerings of each candidate.
