Better Services, Public Spaces and Local Representation

Footscray’s future should be shaped by the people who live here — including families, older residents, young people, local organisations and those whose voices are too often overlooked.

A strong community needs accessible services, useful public spaces and opportunities for residents to influence decisions that affect their daily lives.

Local concerns should not disappear after a meeting or consultation. Residents deserve to know whether their feedback was considered and what happened next.

My priorities

1. Listen and follow through

I will make community engagement a practical part of my work. When residents raise an issue, I will seek to understand the problem, identify the authority responsible and pursue a response where action is warranted.

I will also be clear when an issue sits outside the powers of a state MP.

2. Advocate for accessible services

I will raise gaps in essential services and community facilities with the relevant ministers and agencies. My focus will be on demonstrated local needs, transparent decision-making and whether services are accessible to the people who need them.

3. Protect valuable green space and mature trees

Parks, trees and open spaces contribute to neighbourhood character, recreation and community wellbeing. Infrastructure planning should properly consider their value and avoid unnecessary loss.

My position on McIvor Reserve is clear: I support protecting its green space and mature trees. When sporting infrastructure is being planned, alternatives should be properly considered to meet community needs while minimising the loss of valuable green space.

I will continue to scrutinise proposals that affect the reserve and advocate for options that protect its natural assets.

4. Support inclusive community spaces

I will advocate for public spaces and facilities that are safe, accessible and useful for a broad range of residents. Decisions should consider the needs of families, young people, older residents, people with disability and others who rely on accessible local facilities.

5. Keep the community informed

I will work to provide clear updates on significant local issues, including what residents have raised, which authorities have been approached and what responses have been received.

Community consultation should be meaningful. It should help inform decisions, not simply provide the appearance of engagement after the outcome has already been settled.

What I can realistically do as an MP

A state MP cannot personally manage every local service, park or council facility. Responsibilities are divided between state government, local councils and other organisations.

My role would be to advocate for community priorities, scrutinise state decisions, work with the responsible authorities and help residents understand the options available to them.

How residents can hold me accountable

If elected, I will work to report on:

• Significant community concerns raised with decision-makers.
• Local services and facilities I have advocated to improve.
• Major proposals affecting public spaces and community assets.
• Responses received and issues that remain unresolved.

My commitment: Community voices should matter before decisions are made — and residents should be able to see what happened after they spoke up.

Hai Dinh
Independent Candidate for Footscray
Safety. Opportunity. Community.