2020 Bendigo council election candidate Luke Martin stands on local services, community consultation, community groups

Luke Martin's platforms include local government service provision, good quality community consultation, the importance of sports and community spaces, and heritage preservation.

The first-time candidate is running for one of three council positions in the Whipstick Ward.

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Mr Martin said he hoped to strongly represent local government services, such as in-home aged care. He said high quality, directly employed local government services were high on his agenda.

Mr Martin said he believed the council needed to promote local jobs and encourage employers to set up in Bendigo.

He said he viewed sports and community groups as vital to the health of the community.

Mr Martin said would support these groups to get back on their feet after COVID-19, if elected.

He said as Bendigo's population grew, the city would have a greater need for local government to invest in open community spaces.

Read more: Thirty-two Bendigo council hopefuls as nominations close

Mr Martin said he believed in good quality, genuine community consultation.

Heritage preservation was another of Mr Martin's policy positions. He said Bendigo's beautiful historic buildings were part of the city's charm, and needed support from local government to maintain them.

Mr Martin said he saw in the Whipstick Ward a really high need for support after the COVID-19 crisis, such as social housing.

Mr Martin said he began thinking about a council bid during the last round of elections.

He said decided to run in 2020 because he felt someone who was going to support people was needed after a rough year.

Mr Martin said his vision for Bendigo was to ensure it was a healthy, vibrant community with plenty of opportunities.

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"As the secretary of the trades hall I already represent quite a number of people in central Victoria," he said.

"So I can bring that level of representation to Bendigo council to bring that to the council and be a local voice for local people."

Mr Martin is a member of the Australian Labor Party but not standing as a party endorsed candidate.

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