Whittlesea and Eden Park are special places.

Places where people celebrate their history, look out for each other and value open space. Anybody who attends the ANZAC March could tell you that. Whittlesea and Eden Park have a character that should be respected and protected.

We have already acted to protect important areas from innappropriate growth and sprawl. Victoria's planning laws mean these decisions cannot simply be waved through by Council or developers.

But legislation alone does not stop the pressure from developers, landbankers and speculators who look at townships like Whittlesea and Eden Park as the next opportunity for smaller lots, more subdivision, and more development.

I understand why locals are concerned. Whittlesea and Eden Park should not be carved up by people who do not live here, do not understand the area and will not have to live with the consequences.

Some developers claim that residents want small towns opened up.

So I want resident views on the record.

Do you support strong protections for Whittlesea and Eden Park, so local character is respected and inappropriate small-lot subdivision is not allowed to creep in by stealth?

Your feedback will help show developers and decision-makers that our community wants the character of Whittlesea and Eden Park protected.

Recent practical action to upgrade Whittlesea Secondary College reflects something important: towns do not have to get bigger to be better.

I want to keep working with you on priorities like safer local roads, better pedestrian links, and community safety, because the character of Whittlesea and Eden Park is worth protecting.

My job is to stand with locals to make sure that happens.