Your Council

Cr Tom Melican - Ibbott Ward

Mayor 2008-2009 
Phone: 9459 8026
Fax: 9459 8162
Mobile: 0413 043 015
Email: tom.melican@banyule.vic.gov.au

Tom is a happily married father of 4 teenagers and a Banyule resident for the past 25years. He considers being a Councillor as a great privilege that brings many responsibilities.

Cr Melican believes that being an independent Councillor enables him to judge every issue, and make decisions based on what he considers is in the best interest of residents.

"Being able to act on behalf of residents and not having to consider any political master is very important" he says.

Tom has worked for a large financial institution for 33 years, and manages to maintain a very active sporting life alongside work, Council and family commitments.

He has an incredible amount of energy, and thoroughly enjoys his very active lifestyle. A very keen cyclist, he rides his bike 60km return to work every day, and still has time to play football for Macleod Football Club.

The main reason Tom decided to join Council was because of his concerns over the many traffic related issues that face Banyule residents. He believes that the public transport system needs to be upgraded and extended to relieve the traffic congestion within Banyule.

"There needs to be a strategy on how we can manage the ever increasing traffic volumes on Banyule roads~' he says. The zone ticketing system is also unfair, it encourages people to drive to inner zones, and should be replaced.

The preservation of the neighbourhood character that makes Banyule such a wonderful place to live is very important, and Councillor Melican is committed to ensuring that development does not destroy Banyule's character.

Cr Peter McKenna - Bakewell Ward

Deputy Mayor 2008-2009 
PO Box 201, Lower Plenty 3093
Phone: 9434 2461
Fax: 9432 6264
Mobile: 0409 027 762
Email: peter.mckenna@banyule.vic.gov.au

Peter McKenna has lived in Bakewell Ward since August 1997.

Having owned and operated two small businesses Cr. McKenna has a passion for small business and regards "the entrepreneurial spirit as the lifeblood of any community."

Cr. McKenna's other passions include spending quality time with his wife Amanda and their son Connor.

He is a self confessed 'cricket tragic' and takes a keen interest in most sports. Peter is a strong advocate for children becoming involved in sport no matter what it is.

When time permits his other activities include: politics, fishing, camping, bush walking, bird watching, writing, golf, winery tours and Irish genealogy and history research.

Since becoming Bakewell Ward councillor in November 2005, Peter believes his role of encouraging resident participation in all aspects of the decision making process has already provided an opportunity for the residents to have a say in projects that effect them.

He points to the exciting re-development of the Greensborough shopping centre and some local road safety improvements as good examples of genuine community input influencing project outcomes.

While Peter welcomes and understands the importance of state and federal government cooperation and is more than happy to work with local members of parliament he has vowed to continue to combat political party interference in the council decision making process.

He will continue to lobby for containment of persistent and deliberate government 'cost shifting' measures imposed on the ratepayer. He advocates that there are clear areas of federal, state and local government responsibility and that many services traditionally funded by the federal and state authorities are being pushed more and more onto local government without the funding to maintain those services. This trend must be halted.

Don't hesitate to contact Cr. McKenna by phone or email if you have any queries, concerns or ideas.

Cr Peter McKenna will be Council's representative on the following advisory committees and internal working committees:

- Greensborough Principal Activity Centre (GPAC) Community Consultative Committee (Chairman), Safer Greensborough Project Working Group, Early Years Advisory Committee, Banyule Environment Advisory Committee (Sub), Asset Management Steering Committee (Sub) and Property/Strategic Direction Advisory Committee.

He has been council representative on the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Board, Yarra Plenty Regional Library Audit Committee, Banyule Community Plan Steering Committee and a number of internal working committees like the Banyule Recreation Study Committee and Electoral Representation Review Committee.

Cr Wayne Phillips - Beale Ward

PO Box 134, Greensborough 3088
Mobile: 0408 999 189
Email: wayne.phillips@banyule.vic.gov.au

Cr Wayne Phillips served as the Mayor of Banyule from 2005- 2008.

Cr Wayne Phillips is looking forward to the challenge of providing the best possible range of services to the Banyule community during what he believes will be interesting and tough financial times.

"I am sure my local knowledge and experience of 24 years in local and State government will be a great asset to our community."

Cr Wayne Phillips will be Council's representative on the following Banyule Advisory Committees: Audit Advisory Committee, Asset Management Steering Committee,

Greensborough Principal Activity Centre (GPAC) Consultative Committee, Northern Regional Housing Working Group and the Victorian Local Governance Association.

Cr Jenny Mulholland - Griffin Ward

PO Box 1027, Ivanhoe 3079
Phone/Fax: 9458 1391
Mobile: 0413 986 912
Email: jenny.mulholland@banyule.vic.gov.au

Jenny was elected in March 2000 as Griffin Ward Councillor and re-elected in 2003 (unopposed), 2005 and 2008. Griffin Ward includes Ivanhoe, East Ivanhoe, Eaglemont, Fairy Hills and parts of Heidelberg.

Jenny has lived in Griffin Ward (Ivanhoe) for the past 26 years with husband David and their four children and has participated actively on a range of community groups during that time. Jenny was Banyule's first female Mayor in 2003/2004 and again re-elected Mayor in 2004. Jenny was Deputy Mayor in 2005.

Jenny is the longest serving current Banyule Councillor.

Jenny is the Councillor Representative on the following committees:

  • The Ivanhoe Project Community Consultative Committee
  • Yarra Plenty Library Audit Committee
  • Yarra Plenty Library Board
  • Audit Advisory
  • Banyule Community Plan Steering Committee
  • Greensborough Principal Activity Centre (GPAC)
  • Arts &Cultural Advisory Group
  • Property / Strategic Direction Advisory Committee
  • Disability Reference Group
  • Municipal Association Victoria
  • Australian Local Government Association
  • Chairperson of Napier Waller Property Committee of Management

Jenny is the Chairperson of Fundraising of Lions House Foundation, and a member of the Heidelberg-Warringal Lions Club.  Jenny is a member of Australian Local Government Women's Association and the Victorian Association of Environmental Education and has been a member of the MAV Environment Policy Committee for 7 years.

Some of the highlights of Jenny's eight years as Griffin Ward Councillor include:

  • Meeting, interacting and assisting residents and businesses in Griffin Ward
  • The streetscaping upgrade of Ivanhoe Shopping Centre
  • The Banyule netball facility
  • Improving sporting facilities particularly for the youth and elderly
  • New facilities for East Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe and Heidelberg Bowling Clubs
  • Safer streets and roads with improved traffic management near schools
  • An advocate for women's issues.
  • The Heidelberg Structure plan and the commencement of the Ivanhoe Structure Plan/ Civic Precinct to include new library.

Jenny's policies will continue to focus on family values, continuing a strong stand on inappropriate development, stand with the Griffin community to fight the State Government to strengthen and preserve our neighbourhood character strategies in accordance with community views, continuing to work with the older community to improve services they need to stay active and providing stability and experience for Council as it works for all of our community to build an even better place to live.

Cr Jessica Paul - Grimshaw Ward

PO Box 432, Heidelberg 3084
Mobile: 0418 513 559
Email: jessica.paul@banyule.vic.gov.au

Cr Jessica Paul has lived in Banyule her whole life and is passionate about the issues affecting the area.

Jessica was elected at the age of 20, making her the youngest Banyule Councillor.

"I have always had an interest in politics and I hope my youth and enthusiasm will be an asset to Council," Jessica said.

Jessica lists her major issues of concern as:

  • Cleaning up and restoring parklands
  • Improving traffic conditions throughout Grimshaw Ward
  • Keeping Rates as low as possible
  • Engaging youth programs
  • Improving  facilities around Public Transport locations
  • Supporting our senior citizens and the needy within our Community

Cr Steven Briffa - Hawdon Ward

Suite 102, 86 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough 3088
Phone: 9435 1935
Fax: 9435 8730
Mobile 0429 807 052
Email:  steven.briffa@banyule.vic.gov.au

Cr Steven Briffa lives with his wife and three daughters in Greensborough. Fourteen years ago his wife introduced him to the area and he fell in love with it and has lived there ever since.

Steven has been the President of the Greensborough Chamber of Commerce for three years and a member for ten years. He resigned his position this year to focus his energy on running for Council. Councillor Steve Briffa has also served the community as a Rotarian for a number of years and has been a volunteer radio presenter on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM.

"My favourite thing about this area is the lifestyle and friendly nature of the residents. I really enjoy serving the community and I want to continue to do that in my new role. I want to be a part of Council and help make it a better place for my childrens futures," Cr Briffa said.  

"I am very passionate about sports and I would like to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take part in local clubs and competitions. I also feel very strongly about the provision of quality aged cared services and accommodation. Older people in the community have given a lot to us and we need to appreciate that and look after them," Cr Briffa said.

Cr Anthony Carbines - Olympia Ward

PO Box 314, Heidelberg West 3081
Phone: 9459 6042
Fax: 9459 3829
Mobile: 0408 523 472
Email: anthony.carbines@banyule.vic.gov.au

Elected in 2005 and re-elected in 2008 on a platform of ‘renewing our neighbourhood', Anthony is committed to a back to basics approach at Banyule City Council. He encourages residents to be active partners in the work of the council. Anthony is keen to strengthen the council's role in supporting local volunteers and community organisations in Banyule.

Anthony lives in West Heidelberg with his fiancée Anita and is employed as the chief-of-staff to the Minister for Education in the State Government. He previously worked as a journalist at the Geelong Advertiser after completing a BA in Journalism at RMIT University and Year 12 at Rosanna East High School (now Viewbank Secondary College).

Anthony is active in several community organisations and is a member of the Bellfield Community Centre committee of management.

He is the council's representative on the following committees:

  • Metropolitan Waste Management Group
  • Victorian Local Governance Association
  • Yarra Plenty Regional Library Board - chairperson
  • Heidelberg West Neighbourhood Renewal Steering Committee
  • Mall Project Community Consultative Committee - chairperson
  • Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Masterplan Community Consultative Committee

The Olympia Ward includes the suburbs of West Heidelberg, Heidelberg Heights, Bellfield and parts of Ivanhoe.

The Role of Councillors

The primary role of a Councillor is to determine policy, set objectives and strategic directions, ensure that the provision of services meets community need, together with monitoring the performance of the Council organisation. A Councillor consults with the community and acts as an advocate for the whole community. A Councillor must also become familiar with large budgets, a complex organisation and a diverse range of social, environmental, management and development issues.

Councillor Code of Conduct

Amendments to the Local Government Act 1989 that came into effect on 31 July 2004 require that all Victorian Councils adopt a Code of Conduct. The Code must also be reviewed within six months after each Council election.

The Code was reviewed in October 2009 and is incorporated in Local Law 2 (2005) - Conduct of Meetings Local Law. The Code provides a framework for ethical and professional behaviour of Councillors in the range of interactions between Councillors, Council staff and the public. It covers various areas of professional conduct and details the standards of behaviour expected of Councillors.

A copy of the Code can be downloaded by clicking on the link below, or can be inspected at one of Council's 3 service centres in Ivanhoe, Rosanna or Greensborough during office hours.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. Click here to download the reader.

Information about Wards

A ward is the electorate that a Councillor represents. It is broadly equivalent to a 'seat' in State and Federal elections. Each Ward is represented by a single Councillor.

Wards are devised on the basis of communities of interests - similar areas: a statutory requirement for each ward not to vary from other wards in number of voters by more than plus or minus 10%

Banyule is divided into seven wards. These are Bakewell, Beale, Griffin, Grimshaw, Hawdon, Ibbot and Olympia.

Bakewell - brothers who established the Plenty Station (having bought the land from Dr Martin).
Beale - Major Edward Beale amongst other contributors, founded St Katherines church after the church on the Island of Helena.
Griffin - Walter Burley Griffin, the architect of Canberra, planned estates in the area.
Grimshaw - an identity of the area, Grimshaw contributed to public life and is honoured by the naming of the major east west linking.
Hawdon - Joseph Hawdon an identity of Warringal Township built the Banyule Homestead, and with others, sought the government grant of crown land for Warringal Cemetery.
Ibbott - Nellie Ibbott was the first woman Mayor of the City of Heidelberg and in Victoria.
Olympia - covers the area which hosted Melbourne's Olympic Games in 1956.

Ward Map