Toby Heydon

Deputy Mayor - Forest Creek Ward

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What made you want to run for Council?

It’s been said that Castlemaine runs on volunteers, and that a healthy democracy relies not just on people voting, but also on people standing as candidates.  I decided to run for Council in 2020 and again in 2024 because I feel I can offer good skills and experience to the people of Mount Alexander Shire. I have had the great pleasure of working with many local organisations, and for me, stepping up to serve as a Councillor is a way that I can continue to serve this wonderful community.

What are your top three priority areas for your term?

My top three priority areas in this term (2024-2028) are managing population growth, maintaining and defending our natural heritage and developing our sense of connectedness and community spirit. 

We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country with so many important built and natural heritage places. As such, we are a very attractive place to live, so managing population growth and ensuring that there is adequate housing for all are key challenges that demand my focus more than anything else.

Maintaining and augmenting natural vegetation and public open spaces is of high importance to me, especially in light of rapid urban growth. As many newcomers make our shire home, we must also work hard to include members of our community in our public and civic life – through our public institutions and community organisations alike.  

What do you love most about your local area and community?

What I love most about Mount Alexander Shire are the people and the country.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?

Get active and get involved!  If you have not already, join one of our great sporting, cultural or arts organisations. We are so fortunate to live in a community that has so many thriving and friendly clubs and societies. Life in Mount Alexander is even brighter when you’re involved in the civic life of the shire. 

Related information

Councillor Code of Conduct(PDF, 2MB)

Committees

  • A House of My Own Committee
  • Buda Historic Home and Garden
  • Active Transport Advisory Group
  • Camp Reserve Community Consultation Committee
  • Community Waste Reference Group
  • Disability Inclusion Action Plan Advisory Group
  • Indigenous Roundtable
  • Mount Alexander Shire Council Audit and Risk Committee
  • Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy: Castlemaine, Campbells Creek and Chewton Community Reference Group