by Yvette Brand
Roads, recreation projects and sustainable planning to maintain the liveability of Baw Baw Shire were hotly discussed at a "politics in the pub" session hosted by independent candidate for Monash Deb Leonard in Warragul last week.

Councillors Suzanne Allen, Ben Lucas and Kate Wilson led a panel discussion focused on infrastructure priorities in the shire.
About 80 people attended the session held at Everything's Better With Wine on Tuesday night, including community members and Ms Leonard's campaign supporters.
"People are eager to see real action on the infrastructure issues that matter to them," Ms Leonard said.
Introducing the three councillors, Ms Leonard said the councillors were not endorsing her campaign but were there to share their views and provide constructive discussions on how to get the best outcomes for Baw Baw's communities.
The three councillors acknowledged future infrastructure depended on advocacy, advocacy and more advocacy to ensure good relationships and external funding from federal and state governments for shovel ready projects.
Cr Wilson said when the new councillors were elected, they came to the table with a combined wish list of projects totalling $170 million, plus recreation projects of another $200 million, plus $30 million for kindergarten infrastructure.
"The challenge is prioritisation. How do we attract that investment and convince state and federal governments how important we are?" she said.
Cr Lucas said he recently attended a South East Australian Transport Strategy (SEATS) meeting in Queanbeyan, where he naively thought lobbying for $3 million for road network planning in Baw Baw Shire was a big request.
He said other municipalities were talking big projects in the vicinity of $57 million and $20 million - "and we can't even get $3 million for lines on a map."
"Politics has a lot to play. We put a lot of money into that bucket and we don't get it back for a fast growing peri-urban council," he said.
Cr Lucas said the Drouin bypass was a major priority because currently milk trucks, cattle trucks, semi trailers and school buses all ended up at the same roundabout in the main street.
"It's an absolute quagmire and it won't get any better," he said.
Cr Allen said the Thorpdale Rd was another example of a problem road that needed to be fixed. "In an agricultural area we need good roads and they need to be safe."
Cr Wilson said her priority was projects that maintained and improved the liveability of the shire for residents. "It's all about making it better to live, work and play in Baw Baw."
"I am about economic development. I hope there are more businesses operating here. We have to have a reputation that Baw Baw is open for business. We need footpaths, trails, parks, open spaces and the places to enjoy," she said.
Cr Allen said council needed to protect its rural living. "It comes down to open spaces, trails and community connections. It's knowing your neighbour is reaching out to help because sometimes that can get lost. We need to look at connections, how to keep people connected and the kindness and care."
Ms Leonard said the issues facing Baw Baw Shire were not unique - "there's not much left over" for many councils.
Years ago, council used to receive one per cent of Commonwealth revenue but, Ms Leonard said that had been whittled away. "Imagine what this council could do with an extra $12 million a year."
Ms Leonard said federal grants were going to marginal seats but Monash was missing out.
She said independent MPs for Indi and Warringah Helen Haines and Zali Steggall were examples of independents who had delivered millions of dollars in funding for their electorates.
"There is clear evidence of independents getting things done, especially in electorates that have been ignored by the major parties for decades when they were a safe seat," Ms Leonard said.
Ms Leonard stressed the importance of collaboration with the community about infrastructure decisions.
"I agree with Cr Lucas' bang for buck approach - we need to make sure the right infrastructure is put in the right place, and the way to make that happen is by having these open and ongoing conversations with community members," she said.
The forum ended with an extensive Q and A session. Key topics included investment in roads particularly the Drouin bypass, expanding social housing opportunities, sustainable planning, walking paths, and protecting the liveability of the shire.
Ms Leonard committed to holding regular community meetings if elected to ensure she stayed connected to the community she represented.
"Evenings like this are so valuable in keeping representatives accountable and engaged with the people they serve," she said.