Hi, I'm Kenna
I’m running for Council because I’m sure Merri-bek can move ahead so much faster and more consistently to be an even more vital, exciting and sustainable community.
I finished paid work during Covid after a varied career as a social worker, association manager, successful IT business owner, then back into social work in child protection, school social work, and finally in adult mental health. With extra time to see so much more of what’s happening in our community and having increased direct participation, I started seeing so many things that can be done better. Watching both the positive steps and stumbles by Council, I became highly motivated to help move things forward.
As well as my professional skills, I bring a love of planning and affirmation of the Greens’ values of ecological sustainability, social justice, grass-roots democracy and peace & non-violence. I also bring my personal values of respect and service as a progressive Christian and queer woman to the task of working with colleagues to move Merri-bek forward as a vital community, welcoming and supportive of it’s great diversity of people!
With many years’ experience working as a social worker in schools, child protection and adult mental health, I care deeply about our community and will never sell out to corporate interests.
As your Councillor for Pentridge Ward, my priorities will include:
- More genuinely affordable housing! I will push for property developers to include a minimum 30% public and genuinely affordable housing in new developments.
- We need to ensure that new developments are high quality but sensible, especially close to public transport where we need to ensure plenty of green space as well.
- Frequent and reliable public transport services are essential for a thriving local community. This will need Council to be a very strong advocate on behalf of our community and I’m committed to pushing this.
- Contributing to reducing the cost of living by bringing down your power bills and taking climate action through solar bulk-buying and community batteries, including for renters, and supporting households to get off gas.
- I want Merri-bek to be so much more than just a dormitory suburb with cool coffee shops. We need lots of businesses providing diverse, high-quality jobs. I’m particularly keen on creative, health and high-tech industries.
- Pedestrian and bike safety! In Pentridge ward the Bell Street bridge and Murray Road are obvious priorities. These are State Government roads, so Council and the community need to work together in advocating for the necessary changes!
- I’m particularly keen on revitalising Central Coburg and Sydney Road to make it safer and more prosperous. This will need to include more housing, open green space and a bigger, better library while still providing adequate parking. Council has made a start, but it needs ongoing attention to make sure progress continues.
- And of course, care for and extension of green spaces and parkland is vital! Both Merri and Edgars Creeks are obvious, but we still need more parks close to homes throughout our community.
Vote [1] for Kenna Morrison! Your vote is powerful.
