Dear members,
If you are enrolled to vote, you will have received information about the forthcoming 2024 council elections. The councillors elected to Bayside City Council have a direct impact on your club and its facilities as our councillors determine policies on the use of reserves, funding for lighting and pavilions, and how the competing priorities of local community groups will be managed.
In Bayside we have very active conservation groups which operate under the collective Bayside Conservation Alliance. These various groups and others such as Friends of Native Wildlife, have an agenda which directly impacts the facilities your children can use for soccer. For example, we have lobbied for years to enable 2 small pitches to be installed at Balcombe Park Reserve together with some small change room and storage facilities. This Reserve is graded Category D (lowest grade) by Council meaning that it has minimal resources (for example, no drinking water fountains, irrigation or lighting). Consequently, we are restricted to playing junior games with the pitch in very poor condition leading to multiple complaints from players, referees and parents. Council refuse to address this problem, and to date our local councillors have refused to support an upgrade of Balcombe reserve reportedly due to the influence of conservation lobby groups.
BSC has no issue with conservation. We live in a beautiful community, and we want to keep it so. That said, Bayside City Council encourages population growth by the sub-division of land, rezoning land for building and allowing multi-storey apartment dwellings as part of the hub strategy. Higher population leads to greater demand for children to play sport, yet the council have refused to address this by providing for better utilisation of existing facilities or plan for future additional soccer facilities. The direct consequence of this failure is that your club cannot meet the demand from parents for children to play football, and we are going to lose 5 junior boys teams in 2025 (75 boys) because council will not take the necessary action to improve Balcombe Park Reserve and the lighting at Beaumaris Reserve to maximise utilisation. Furthermore, our requests for increased access to Cheltenham Park West, an under-utilised reserve, have been rejected. This follows council removing our joint tenancy at Shipston Reserve, Weatherall Road meaning we cannot field as many teams as the demand requires.
Despite the multiple health studies which prove the importance of local community team sport for the mental and physical well-being of our children, your Council refuses to prioritise support of your club to meet the demand created by Council policies.
The elections are therefore an opportunity to get new representation – people who want to do better for our children and to enable volunteer sporting clubs to provide what parents and children are asking for. Recently we reached out to Council candidates in 3 local wards: Beckett (Beaumaris), Ebden (Black Rock) and Boyd (Sandringham) to put forward our needs and understand what support the candidate will provide if they are elected.
Some candidates did not respond, which is not uncommon, or could not be contacted, and a no response is noted.
Some candidates are incumbents and have a track record which you can see from their voting records and we have considered these candidates according to the past support for BSC and other community sports clubs.
Note that council minutes can be accessed: https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/council/meetings-agendas-and-minutes/council-minutes
Some candidates are supportive of the policies of various lobby groups as you can see from these links:
Some candidates made the effort to meet and or speak with committee members and they have provided their statements to us to share with you in your consideration of who to vote for.
Your club continues to lobby for improved maintenance of the facilities we use and greater access to sporting grounds that can help us meet community demand. We need councillors who will support these objectives, and we hope that you’ll take this into account when considering who you will vote for.
Green - Positive to supporting community sports clubs and prepared to advocate for BSC
Blue - Has shown willingness to consider advocating for BSC but has either not supported BSC in the past or is actively advocating for another lobby group
Orange - has shown no interest in advocating for BSC and has either acted in the past contrary to BSC interests or has stated that they are advocating for lobby groups that do not support community sports clubs in the Bayside City Council area.
Comments from Council candidates regarding community sports club facilities:
Beckett ward (Beaumaris)
Jess Clark (meeting)
Council is currently spending $3 million for the new Beaumaris art centre this came as a surprise for me given the lack of funding for Beaumaris Soccer, which I believe is significantly more integral to our community.
I have a personal connection to soccer in the area as my 15-year-old sister wanted to play soccer this year and had huge difficulties finding a club with a vacancy. There is a great need for girls to be able to keep playing team sports through their teenage years – not merely as competitive athletes but for fitness, social interaction and making new friends. Sporting clubs, such as the BSC create opportunities for the creation of connections between parents and help the social fibre of our community.
I would be very happy to support Beaumaris Soccer Club and advocate for each of the items you have mentioned - funding to rebuild the pavilion, increased maintenance of the reserve, upgrade of the Category D reserve and replacement of light poles.
From my perspective, these are initiatives that council should be prioritising. As well as benefitting your players, it also benefits families and represents a significant percentage of both Beckett Ward and the wider Bayside population.
I will advocate for these to be included under Bayside’s strategic goal area #2 “Our People” as this is directly relevant to creating communities that foster participation, where people thrive and live healthy, active lives – all articulated in the Council Plan.
I’d love to advocate for Beaumaris Soccer Club to be prioritised in funding. As a new councillor I would welcome your help in formulating proposals for funding of Beaumaris Soccer Club facilities.
The timing of the elections and the election campaign is slightly tricky for me as I am finishing up school and studying for my VCE exams. I’d appreciate the opportunity to meet you to understand more about Beaumaris Soccer Club’s needs. If we can’t make a time before my exams, and if I am elected, then I would very much like to meet afterwards for me to learn how I can best advocate for the Club’s needs.
Debbie Taylor Haynes (comment)
It was good to inspect the reserve at Balcombe Park. Top of my list of priorities should I be elected are answers as to why the reserve has not been upgraded, along with why the lights have not been replaced at the Beaumaris Reserve. All council assets should automatically be updated/replaced over a feasible lifespan and those assets not currently it for purpose (ie sports' pavilions unable to cater for female participation) should be prioritised.
Chris Sutton (meeting)
Thanks for the opportunity to meet with you last Saturday week at the Beaumaris Reserve and hear the plans and challenges faced by Beaumaris Soccer Club.
In my nomination statement as a candidate for Beckett Ward councillor I stated I will support young people by promoting the role our libraries, sports clubs and council programs contribute to their physical and mental development. I have seen the large increase in BSC player numbers over the years and it is great to see the enjoyment in the increasing number of girls and women playing the game. I would like to thank the BSC committee for ensuring the excellent behaviour of their players at training and on games days and ensuring the grounds are kept clean.
Sport club committees manage the needs and aspirations of their members to train and play the game. As Councillor I will work to ensure that Bayside Council supports and does not hinder these activities. My support will include working to ensure the BSC committee receives a fair allocation of financial and maintenance support from Bayside Council. I am familiar with the slow delivery and inconsistent consultation BSC and residents have experienced with recent projects. I will raise as a priority with Councillors and the CEO the delays, conduct of consultation and lack of keeping sports clubs and residents informed is unacceptable and must improve.
I will support Bayside Council deliver on the following BSC priorities:
· Upgrade of lighting at Beaumaris Reserve.
· Upgrade of change facilities and pitch layout at Balcombe Park.
· Providing additional practice ground access at Cheltenham Park.
· Incorporate additional storage facilities with the upgraded cricket nets at Beaumaris Reserve.
I will also pursue a more equitable use of open space funds across Bayside to maintain a higher standard of sport ground playing surfaces and reduce weeds and overgrowth in surrounding public spaces. I am keen to investigate with Council the potential in Bayside for locating a shared soccer facility for seating the larger crowds attending the higher league games.
While as a new councillor I will need to learn the extent I can assist sports clubs in Beaumaris, I am committed to supporting their role supporting our young participate and enjoy their sport.
Garry Hoover (no contact details)
Ebden ward (Black Rock)
Calista Clements (meeting)
Hello to all Beaumaris Soccer Club Members,
My name is Calista Clements, and I am excited to announce that I am running in the upcoming Bayside Council election for the Ebden Ward.
As a former member of the Beaumaris Soccer Club and a lover of the sport, I truly understand the value that sports bring to people of all ages. Sporting facilities not only foster a sense of community but also contribute to physical health, mental well-being, and help counterbalance the effects of our increasingly digital world.
That is why I am equally as disappointed in our current council members as to what you are. Their lack of empathy is frustrating - their priorities have been disillusioned by matters that are not central to their responsibilities as councillors.
If elected, I will be a dedicated advocate for the revitalization of long-neglected areas, especially those dedicated to sports and children. These spaces deserve our focus and investment. If the Council continues to overlook them, our collective voice as a community is diminished by those meant to amplify it.
Should you have any question or want to chat with me directly, please feel free to email me at calistaclements@outlook.com
Geoff Leigh (meeting)
Thank you for a tour of the club on Saturday and letting me know about the amazing work you have all done for the soccer community.
I was interested to learn of the issues you have with the facilities at Balcombe Park. I know the oval well and clearly the facilities need to be upgraded for everyone.
You can be assured if I am elected one of my first priorities will be to have discussions with council officers as to what we can do quickly to improve the facilities. You will be aware that council has $124 million and I see no reason why some of this money cannot be spent to assist your juniors. I would appreciate a list of your requirements that I can present to council. Imagine if the $4 million dollars wasted on the netball court tip saga could have been put into other sporting clubs.
Much money needs to be spent on upgrading our sporting grounds throughout Bayside. I intend to request an audit of all the facilities at sporting grounds with preference to be given to upgrade the worst facilities first. This is common sense because our children play at grounds across Bayside.
My three sons all played football - at both junior and senior levels - and went on to coach teams at Beaumaris Football Club. I know the value that sport can play in the lives of young people in so many ways.
As the member for Mordialloc, I was involved in ensuring the Kennett Government provided funds for Bentleigh Greens Soccer Club in Centre Dandenong Road. I know what a difference those funds made.
I was disappointed to hear that the sponsor who provided the timing device for your club could not be recognised due to council rules. The advertising rules are also inconsistent. I will do my best to change this as it is ridiculous.
I have been alerted to the fact that several of the councillors were more interested in their favourite sport. I would ensure that the rules are the same for all clubs that are using the facilities in the City of Bayside.
Once again thanks for meeting with me and alerting me to the issues your club faces.
Laurie Evans (12 years incumbent)
Thanks to the VP, David Richards, for reaching out to me to address members. I will leave it to Candidates in your Ward (Beckett) to ‘Champion’ and give their personal aspirations to assist your wonderful club.
As the sitting Councillor for Ebden Ward(adjacent) I have, and always will be supportive of BSC, having assisted over my previous 12years in the acquisition of your marvellous clubhouse.
I am an easily accessible, Independent, experienced community candidate for Ebden Ward.
Tim Watts – no comment
Janet Abadee – no comment
Matt Kaplan – no comment
Cliff Maillard (previous Councillor) – no comment
David Perry – no comment
Ian Cochrane – no comment
Boyd Ward (Sandringham)
Faiza Nouman (meeting)
I wanted to personally thank you for taking the time to show me around the Pavilion, Beaumaris Soccer Club and for sharing your valuable insights about the community, the challenges you face, and the heritage of the area. It was truly enlightening to see firsthand the dedication and hard work being put into keeping the club active, despite the hurdles with approvals, from the scoreboard to the lights and even the oval grass.
Your knowledge of the architectural heritage of Beaumaris, especially the mid-century modern homes, is inspiring. I appreciate even from a Council’s perspective, how much effort it takes to balance preservation with the community's evolving needs. It’s clear that there’s incredible capability and enthusiasm within Beaumaris, and with more active collaboration from the council, I believe these projects can move forward to benefit both the sports community, our liveability, and our local heritage.
As mentioned, if I am elected as a councillor for Boyd Ward, I will make it an action item to advocate for these prominent issues, for the Beaumaris society and community. I plan to work closely with local clubs like yours, architects, heritage advocates, and the council to streamline the approval processes for projects like the scoreboard, lighting, and field upgrades. This would include advocating for more efficient timelines for approvals, clearer communication between stakeholders, and a dedicated task force to oversee both community projects and heritage preservation.
By strengthening partnerships between the council and community, we can honour Beaumaris' rich history while supporting local sports and activities, ensuring our kids stay active and the community thrives, balancing heritage with modern needs.
Thank you again for your time and for being such a strong advocate for the community.
Chris Barca (meeting)
It was great to meet you and hear about the great work of the Beaumaris Soccer Club. Such clubs are extremely vital for healthy communities. Although I was also very disappointed to hear that your grant of supporting the all abilities soccer team was rejected.
As I explained, in my community leadership role (as a Community Centre owned by another Council) I am also subject to a culture of avoidance and inaction which is beyond frustrating.
I am committed to making a difference and working on council to be part of the change of culture to one that is committed to community, being flexible and focused on creative in problem solving should I be elected.
Thank you also for further expanding on the 3 areas of focus you require Council action.
I have a strong commitment to Community, and this has what has motivated me to stand for my local Council. I am also committed to ensuring the community has access to participation in their chosen activities. To this end, if elected as an independent, self – funded candidate for Boyd I will undertake to advocate and support:
Enhanced lighting (installation of LED’s providing directional lighting) which would both enable more teams to train/play over longer hours
Increased access so that Council Facilities can be accessible to all ages and genders through consideration of more efficient systems to more effectively manage/share playing spaces
A review of council maintenance programs schedules to ensure open playing spaces are not inadvertently overtaken by lack of intention park servicing.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide this response and to visit the club.
Jane Proskurnya – no comment
Nicholas Healey – no comment
Kylie McIntosh – no comment
David Williams – no comment
Fiona Stitfold (incumbent) – no comment
Ivison ward (Hampton East)
Alysia Regan (BSC member)
Nicholas Batzialas
Lyn Austin
Andrew Hockley
Liam Kruger
Brandon Hoult
Sonia Castelli (8-year incumbent)
James Long (previous Councillor)
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