Alison Balind
Age: 49
Occupation: Consultant
Marital status: Married
Affiliations: Bill Lancaster
Standing for: Councillor
1. If your brother Mike Neville is re-elected as mayor and you get on council, do you think it will threaten council’s intention to represent a cross-section of the community?
I don’t think so. Mike and I have different interests and different experiences and, like most people who have siblings, we don’t always agree on things. One thing we do agree on is that we want the community to be strong and to grow. I don’t think our relationship will have an impact at all.
2. You’ve spent the past four years working in a senior position at council. While it could have its obvious advantages, doesn’t it also create a conflict of interest in terms of relationships with staff and knowledge of sensitive information?
It could, but a lot of decisions council make are based on information put before them in reports from council staff. I see it as an advantage because I am aware of what’s involved, the amount of effort that goes into preparing reports and the capacity of council to deliver on the things councillors ask for.
3. You were one of the unfortunate people who were retrenched from council recently. Is there any part of you that is running for council so you can right some wrongs?
No. I understand why the decision was taken and obviously I wasn’t happy at the time, but I’ve moved on. I don’t like to hold a grudge.
4. If elected, what will your immediate top priorities be?
Ensuring that the community strategic plan Growing Griffith 2030 is at the forefront of all councillors’ minds because that’s our blueprint for the community. It was developed in consultation with the community and reflects what the community wants to work towards.
5. As a former long-serving editor of The Area News, what unique perspectives have you gained that will help you as a councillor?
Clarify everything. The media has a role to play in any community and Griffith is fortunate enough to still have a local newspaper. I learned that there are two sides to every story and, as far as councillors are concerned, they need to look at the whole picture, not just what they’re told by people who have an interest in the subject. Every decision made has an impact on people and, if you don’t look at both sides, sometimes you make a decision that is not in the long-term best interests of the community.