Building bridges: a shared future for Port Phillip
By Brendan Perera

I am running as an independent candidate for the City of Port Phillip Council, representing Alma Ward. I have lived in CoPP for 10 years and own a unit in Alma Ward, so I am a true local. I am a civil engineer by profession, a member of Engineers Australia, and I am not affiliated with any political parties, unions or activist groups.

Why am I running for Council?

There have been several bad decisions and proposals made by Council (such as the approval of the Carlisle Street murals, the Inkerman bicycle lane proposal to remove 114 carparks, and the decline of our main streets – these are just the tip of the iceberg). It may be an unpalatable truth to many, but our Council seems only interested in pandering to vested interest groups and playing divisive identity politics, rather than listening to our community.

The time has come for fresh leadership – someone with integrity, who will listen and act in the best interests of the community. This is where I need your help to get the politics out of Port Phillip Council and let us get back to putting the community first.

Building bridges

After the tragic events of October 7, I understand that some may feel reluctant to vote for or endorse someone outside their community. But I see the pain and fear our community is enduring and I understand. From major political parties showing tacit approval for pro-Hamas-led Palestinian protests in Melbourne, to the shocking arson attack on a Jewish MP’s office in St Kilda, the rise of antisemitism in Port Phillip is deeply disturbing. 

I stand with you. I want to assure you that I am a friend and ally to your community. An attack on any community is an attack on all of us.

Shared values and ideals

My grandparents endured the brutality and indignity of the Japanese occupation of Malaya, and my parents lived through the racial riots of May 13, 1969, in Malaysia, where ultra-nationalist Muslim Malays, armed with machetes, went house to house, searching for minorities to take out their frustrations over their perceived loss of power at the electoral ballot. 

In both times of crisis, what became clear was that our neighbours, regardless of race, religion or creed, stood by us. In those moments, shared values of humanity and decency united us. I carry those same values with me today. I believe that by focusing on our shared values, we can overcome division and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

As a candidate, I will be direct. Whether I am elected or not, I will never support Council overstepping its remit on issues that belong at the state or federal level. Neither am I here to pit one community against another. My goal is to listen to the community, build bridges, unite us around our shared values and make the City of Port Phillip a better place for everyone.

The way forward

If elected, I will push for an immediate rate freeze without cuts to existing services. We are currently in a cost-of-living crisis and the City of Port Phillip has a budget of $250 million, with a high staff count of 850. This does not benchmark well, compared to other councils. Council must find efficiencies. 

Council must come up with better design proposals for bicycle lanes, to minimise the impact on resident parking and economic damage to businesses. While I am supportive of having a live music venue in the St Kilda Triangle, from experience, I believe the current plan lacks a clear Return On Investment and is unlikely to revitalise Acland and Fitzroy Streets, as intended. We need to take a broader, more holistic approach to the projects we undertake.

Unlike previously elected Councillors, I will not support frivolous expenditure, like foreign aid to East Timor or symbolic gestures, such as motions against nuclear weapons or declaring a climate emergency. The Council’s role is to provide essential services to our residents and ratepayers, and I intend to keep the focus there.

I am running to bring practical, effective leadership to the City of Port Phillip Council, free from political gamesmanship and I am focused on delivering real results for our community. 

I hope to earn your trust and your vote to help build a brighter future for all of us.

Caption: Brendan Perera on a visit to Jerusalem in 2022