By Callum Ludwig
Chloe Bond from the Animal Justice Party has put her hand up for the role of O’Shannassy Ward councillor at Yarra Ranges Council.
Ms Bond is ‘a mother, lawyer and animal lover’ who has called Wesburn home for three years.
Ms Bond said her passion lies in community well-being, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
“I believe that I can bring my experience as an advocate to represent the people, animals and environment of my Ward,” she said.
“My career as a lawyer has primarily been in the areas of Victims of Crime and Family Violence, where I have dedicated my adult life to providing a voice for victim-survivors who have been silenced by their circumstances, I believe that through dedication, education, and courage, we are all capable of effecting great change within the community,”
“The Animal Justice Party is often seen as a ‘one-issue party’, however, we seek to represent not only animals but people and our planet, I seek to make the Yarra Valley a place where the community, animals, and our natural land are all able to thrive together.”
Ms Bond also ran for the Animal Justice Party in the 2022 Victorian State elections in Eildon, receiving 1340 (3.16 per cent) of first preference votes.
Ms Bond also identified three other areas of concern she has her sights set on if she is elected.
“There is a current housing crisis where, as interest rates rise, landlords are needing to occupy their rental properties, this is leading to a rental crisis where tenants are being evicted with nowhere to go and there are just not enough rental properties in the area for those who need them. Although this crisis is somewhat unavoidable, there are ways in which local government may assist, for example, a tax incentive for landlords to rent their properties long-term, as opposed to short-term Airbnb rentals,” she said.
“We are fortunate enough to live in an area which is also home to a lot of wildlife, however, we do not currently have the capacity to care for injured wildlife and extreme pressure is placed on volunteer carers who are given little support, I believe that our local government should prioritise supporting these carers,”
“The roads throughout our council are in serious need of repair, their current state is proving hazardous to both people and wildlife. Alongside repairing these roads, I also believe that our local government should further promote active and public transport options.”
