”I love being part of such a vibrant, diverse and progressive community. I want to make Darebin as inclusive and sustainable as it can be and will continue to stand up for open and transparent local government.”
Trent is the father of two young children and has been a leading local voice for child-friendly policies and safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians. Recently, these initiatives were commended by the Transport Accident Commission for reducing road fatalities and injuries.
Since being elected in 2008, Trent has campaigned against inappropriate development and in favour of sustainable, well-designed housing for a diverse community, including an increase in social housing options. As a result, Darebin has recently adopted strict environmentally sustainable design controls for all new buildings.
Trent has also secured Darebin's first trial of non-toxic weed management in parks, playgrounds and other public spaces.
Trent has advocated for strong action on climate change, Council divestment from fossil fuels and a major expansion of the award-winning Solar $avers program, which has assisted hundreds of pensioners to switch to solar without the upfront costs.
Trent has spoken out against developer donations to councillors, racism, discrimination against LGBTIQ communities and violence against women. A White Ribbon Ambassador, Trent believes that men must take a stand against misogyny in all its forms.
A former vice president of the Victorian Local Governance Association, Trent has been a leading voice for local councils to become more inclusive of their LGBTIQ residents, from maternal child health to aged care services.
Recognising the critical role neighbourhood houses play in building resilience and reducing social isolation, Trent secured an increase in funding for Darebin's houses, including doubling funding for the Alphington Community Centre.
Working closely with representatives from netball and basketball clubs, Trent has led the charge on Council to build a new multi-sports stadium in Rucker Ward and expand participation opportunities for local women and girls.
Trent is also the founder of Darebin's award-winning Active Spaces program, which supports local traders by placing artists and other makers in vacant shopfronts on a short term basis. In the recent Council budget, Trent secured funding to expand this innovative job-creating program throughout Darebin.
Trent is committed to protecting and furthering the social diversity, creative culture and live music scene in Darebin. He's passionate about a consultative, community-focused approach to governance to ensure sustainable and transparent planning for the future.
Outside of Council, Trent leads a community organisation that works to improve the outcomes for disengaged young people. In 2011, Trent was a finalist in the Australian Human Rights Awards as the co-founder of the Whitelion Bail Out, an event that has raised $5 million to support youth at risk and in detention.