In 1986 my wife and I created a vibrant purpose built home for our Film and Post production business in a previously neglected warehouse in Thistlethwaite St. For nearly 40 years our multi-million dollar high-tech business employed hundreds of talented creatives in Montague Ward.  We travelled intentionally with Government to attract production work to Australia from Asia, Europe, USA, and the UK.

 

My extensive work with educational, government and business committees gave me an understanding of what can be achieved with positive initiatives.

 

My work with the Lighthouse Foundation gave me an understanding of how children can end up, homeless, on the streets, and how they can be rescued.

 

I represented Business on the council committee for the Fishermans Bend precinct which met regularly to understand the challenges in Montague converting the previous industrial base into residential and business.

 

I formed group of Montague residents and business owners to fight a permit issued by council for a brothel on the corner of Ferrars and Thistlethwaite Sts. in an area frequented by children.   We won at VCAT, a rarity, which led directly to the establishment of the school and park in Ferrars street. 

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Montague Ward

Montague Ward is very diverse. The Montague area in Fishermans Bend is part of the  largest urban renewal development in Australia. With its fine grain, very dense previous industrial life, it is particularly challenging. Serious lack of open space, very few amenities, lack of public transport, difficulty with scale of development, are pressing issues.

 

Contrast with the established residential areas and the shopping and commerce around City Rd and Crockford St. with their own challenges.

 

Currently the council, including the current labor councillor, has approved the permit of a swingers sex club in the midst of the most brothels in any area in Australia.  This seriously detracts from the feeling of safety in the area and raises the issue of exploitation of vulnerable women in the industry.

 

These issues influenced my decision to run for council where I can directly work on the many challenges faced by a diverse community.

 

My background as engineer and editor, owning and managing a bleeding edge hi tech business gave me a deep appreciation of business and creative fields. In particular the creative sector could benefit greatly with an overview organisation that could help with publicising and managing events and people, to bring awareness to the public of their contribution to our society.

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Your future, your city, your choice, vote for:

A greener city  - where people think positively about ecology

A better managed city - transparency and efficiency are key

A more engaged city - your voice matters

A cleaner city - it starts with effective management

A fairer city - a city for everyone

A safer city - safety is top priority

A more vibrant city - bring back our village vibe and creative reputation

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If you vote for People Empowering Port Phillip (PEPP), we are a group of aligned independents, so your independent councillor is part of a team with impact.

 

We don’t have to follow party lines or narrow agendas that are not in the best interests of residents and businesses. And as a group we will fight for council transparency and accountability.

 

Of course we are not obligated to agree with the views of the majority of our group, we are independent after all!

 

But with our independent expertise and experience we will develop the best policies for your ward and Port Phillip. Councillors represent each ward, however it is the collective vote from the majority of the councillors that gets things done.

 

As an independent group, PEPP,  your candidate will listen to your concerns, then use our collective wisdom to develop policies for your ward and this amazing city of Port Phillip.

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Thank you for your kind words

 

Over the many years I’ve known Chris as a fellow resident of Port Philip, I’ve been impressed by the seriousness of his concerns with issues that matter to our community. I’ve been struck by his hardheaded, practical understanding of them. It is the kind understanding that, together with an astonishing capacity for hard work, enabled him and his wife, Kerri, to create an internationally successful business. All of us in Port Phillip need people like Chris. Residents of Montague will be fortunate indeed if they elect him to council.

Raimond Gaita, Honourary Professorial Fellow in the Melbourne Law School, Emeritus Professor of Moral Philosophy at King's College London

 

 

Having known Chris for over thirty years through his incredible work with the Lighthouse Foundation, an organisation dedicated to ending child and youth homelessness, I have seen first hand his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, both socially and environmentally.

His work with the Lighthouse Foundation gives him invaluable insights into the importance of strong, supportive communities, where all children can grow and thrive.

I have no doubt that Chris’s vision, leadership, and passion for social and environmental progress will be an asset to the City of Port Phillip.

Susan Barton AM, Founder and Director of the Lighthouse Foundation

 

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I have known Chris for decades. He’s an enormously talented entrepreneur, his skills and experience would be invaluable in any setting – particularly one, like the Council, where energy and creativity in addressing local issues are needed.

Chris is a free thinker – he doesn’t take things at face value but digs into issues to make sure he’s fully understood them before forming his views. He will listen to locals with an open mind and act on their concerns.

A community needs a local who will push for solutions which truly address local needs.

Jane Hemstritch AO

 

AO is the second highest, AM the third highest level, of The Order of Australia, the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens.

 

Concepts to address from council

I was privileged to work with Susan Barton and The Lighthouse Foundation. Interviewing her and some of the young people whose lives have been transformed by offering them a home and care, shined a light on the amazing work she has done to help these homeless young people. Their stories are heartbreaking, and highlight the individual problems people have when they have no support, no home, and no hope.

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There are people in Port Phillip who desperately need hope, and our society is judged by how we treat them. Each one has a story, and each individual needs specific help.

The proportion of those in need of support is a small fraction of our population, and the cost of helping is minor compared to the benefit to our society.

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Although some may detract from the feeling of safety in our streets, when I walk around with my Golden Retriever I am greeted with smiles. I feel like I contribute in some small way. Contrast with the tiny number of people on our streets that generate feelings of hostility and alienation.

While demanding, these issues can be handled  through proper consultation and a sense of care.  It will take resolve in council to work to bring about solutions – short- and long-term.  There are examples around the world and in Australia of successful programs involving compassionate coordination of police and social workers. In Australia, and in the City of Port Phillip, we should not accept that ‘this is the way it is’.  We are a diverse society with diverse views which creates the vibrancy and contrast in our lives. We don’t want to bland that out, but celebrate it.  A society is inclusive, not exclusive.

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Chris Schwarze

 

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People despair over the deterioration of some of our favourite shopping strips. Shops closing, graffiti, dirty streets. It seems the current council doesn’t help. However if you look at thriving centres around the world, they have a feeling which doesn’t just come out of thin air, but from planning and enhancing the natural appeal of the area.

 

I believe Council has a role to work with traders associations to create a vision for their area. 

 

This could be as basic as removing unsightly overshadowing balconies, and utilising colourful umbrellas and innovative street furniture. This would also reveal interesting facades. Many are in desperate need of a bit of paint. Replacing drab dirty paving with high key pavers which are easy to maintain and lift an area dramatically. Creative lighting. Or even some hanging baskets as you see in the streets of Dublin!

 

Consider a program to provide a window dresser for those shops requiring a bit of help. Maybe support vacant shops to display boards, items or even local artworks behind their windows. Perhaps images of interest, art, or archival photos of a bygone era. Lit up at night so to add rather than detract. Cost of LED lighting is minimal and activates rather than diminishes.

 

There is a host of options when it comes to imagery and clever lighting that can be used to also promote events and top spots around the precinct.

 

These are only a few of many ideas that I would like to present to council that could blossom into creative solutions to energise and create a vibrancy to our much-loved and globally popular City of Port Phillip.

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