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Whitehorse City Council has 11 Councillors elected by residents to govern the city.
Our Councillors provide updates on their work through columns in Whitehorse News on an alternating schedule (5 Councillors or 6 Councillors each month).
Read below our Councillors' columns for April 2025.
Councillor Ward Columns - April 2025
Cr Prue Cutts |
LET’S CELEBRATE THE SUCCESSES FIRST! Thank you to those people who made submissions to the State Government’s Ringwood Activity Centre proposed plans, along with Whitehorse Council and a submission from myself, which resulted in the Whitehorse area being removed from the “Catchment” area of the Activity Centre. This represented 920+ homes in Mitcham near Heatherdale Station. It’s a great outcome and shows that the State Government did listen to our feedback. I do, however, hold serious concerns about how the State Planning Reforms will be rolled out, and how this will affect liveability and tree canopy across Whitehorse. |
Cr Hayley Weller |
Local government maintains local roads, which make up 85% of Victoria’s road network. In Lake Ward, residents have raised traffic safety issues with me at Central Road, Lake Road, both ends of Junction Road and Jeffery Street (speed limit reduction). I have met with Council Officers about these issues. They are experts with innovative ideas about how to fix them or which state government bodies to work with as sometimes approval is required to make changes. Please continue to contact me about traffic issues so improvements can be made in our area and keep calm and drive safely. |
Cr Jason Martin |
After my first five months in council, I see a real focus and energy on core issues including community safety, responsible budget, sustainable rates and planning. Council is committed to reducing waste to landfill for both environmental outcomes and reducing the cost to ratepayers. So hopefully in four years’ time and beyond we can demonstrate some positive change and outcomes for the City of Whitehorse. In February, Whitehorse hosted a community forum on the Victorian Government Planning reforms. This was in response to the new housing targets of 76,500 net new dwellings in Whitehorse by 2051. 
Planning remains a key focus for me and keeping the community informed. I also note the community is very passionate about active transport options for cyclists and pedestrians and I am looking forward to council working on strategies and actions later this year and providing some real improvements and outcomes. This will require some significant investment but is required to meet our growing needs. Lastly, I recently noticed a comment on a Facebook post stating ‘why get involved they are going to build it anyway.’ From my perspective I would say certainly put your thoughts on council related issues as we do listen. Councillors have a responsibility to consider all angles and community feedback on matters put before council. Submit your thoughts via the Your Say Whitehorse webpage, in person or online sessions. We want and need your feedback to build a better Whitehorse. Thank you. |
Cr Peter Allan |
It still has been a very busy time in Sparks Ward. I have continued to meet with residents and Ward based groups/clubs such as the Box Hill United Football Club (season launch), Tzu Chi Buddhist Charity Foundation, Box Hill Rugby Union Club, Elgar Contact monthly meeting and the photographic exhibition by Chinese artists from the Australian Vision Photographic Club (AVPC). It was fantastic to see so many interested people at the Whitehorse Community Forum on the proposed Victorian Government Planning Reforms on housing targets, ResCode, Suburban Rail Loop and activity centres. Like them or not, these reforms will have a dramatic affect on our amenity and liveability especially in Box Hill and especially long term! It's planned to have more towers up to 40 storeys at core sites and 3-6 storeys and 7-8 storeys in 'residential neighbourhoods.' Council is now finalising the 2025/2026 Council Budget. The budget is due to be released for community feedback in early May. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me with suggestions for the budget. I have been representing your views and also encourage residents to provide their own feedback directly to the budget consultation process. Please feel free to call or email me on any Council issue! |
Cr Jarrod Gunn |
Since my last update there have been a number of significant improvements across the ward. East Burwood Football/Netball/Cricket Clubs and Blackburn Cycling Club were advised of a new pavilion coming their way. An incredible shared community asset that will be heavily used. Residents near Billabong Park will have noticed the new paths and batting cages installed, with more improvements to come. So far, the best part of this role has been connecting with residents who really care about this community. I hope to build on your collective enthusiasm and ideas to continue to advocate for improvements to Terrara Ward. |
Cr Ben Stennett |
Visiting local schools Graffiti in our community I'm sure you have noticed there has been an increase in graffiti in some parts of the city. I certainly have noticed an increase near Britannia Mall Mitcham. I will be discussing with Council ways in which Council can improve its efforts in cleaning and removing graffiti throughout Whitehorse. I will be attending the annual Anzac Day service at Halliday Park Mitcham and laying a wreath on behalf of Council. I invite you to join me at 5.45am on 25 April, for the service which will be followed by the traditional gunfire breakfast at the Mitcham Bowling Club. |
