We are standing for City of Port Phillip council as People Empowering Port Phillip (PEPP) – a group of independents with a genuine community focus and deep long standing connections to Port Phillip.
By bringing independent voices together, we can foster collaboration, respect and a shared commitment to our city’s future – without the divisiveness and agendas along political lines that can hinder a council’s ability to effectively address and act on the needs of our local community.
It’s time for a council that prioritises collaboration and mutual respect for our community to bring about real positive change to Port Phillip.
We’re a diverse group with a wide range of expertise in business, council and community who are passionate about our community. We can represent each individual ward with its unique issues but with an overall vision for Port Phillip.
As individual councillors, we may not agree on every issue, but we can benefit from each of our lived experiences to form an independent, informed view, without having to conform to party lines or idealist agendas. We’re ready to give our city a new way forward.
Our Policies
Our policies are based around 7 themes:
a more engaged city
a safer city
a cleaner city
a fairer city
a greener city
a more vibrant city
a better managed city.
As a team of councillors from adjoining wards we can utilise our respective strengths to address difficult and important issues.
We welcome all feedback. To contact PEPP, email: peppportphillip@gmail.com or click on the individual candidate pages to email them directly.
Balaclava Ward: Michelle Di Donna
Michelle has lived in Balaclava for 37 years and is a qualified architectural draftsman, former singer and St Kilda post office worker. The post-Covid decline in business and maintenance of the precinct, and the increased homelessness and anti-social behaviour, are her triggers in the Balaclava ward.
With a background in media communications and governance, Janet has called the Elwood Ward home for 32 years, during which time she has enjoyed deep connections with local schools, kindergartens, sporting clubs and the community market. With her extensive experience as a journalist providing a broad understanding of issues that concern communities, Janet is committed to building a vibrant liveable and connected neighbourhood.
With a background in large-scale business and sustainable enterprise, Levi knows the importance of working together to create positive change. Levi aims to build a positive and supportive community around Lakeside Ward, addressing its unique challenges with fresh ideas and a collaborative spirit. He is committed to transparency, accountability and advocating for solutions that promote safety, growth, and inclusivity.
A resident of City of Port Phillip for over 40 years. Chris has a background as engineer and editor. Owning and managing a bleeding edge hi tech business in the Montague precinct has given him a deep appreciation of business and creative fields, and the issues confronting the Montague Ward. Work with educational, government and business committees has also given him an understanding of what can be achieved with positive initiatives. A huge influence has been his involvement with Lighthouse, an organisation for homeless street kids.
Port Melbourne Ward: Sabina Sablok
Sabina has been a resident of Port Melbourne for over 20 years. Originally from New Delhi she has been very involved in the local community including schools, sports club and the Rotary Club. Having run a very successful business with her husband, Sabina has turned her mind to civic duty helping the community and enabling Port Melbourne Ward to evolve into a safe, vibrant neighbourhood.
Serge has been a St Kilda resident for almost 30 years and previously represented City of Port Phillip from 2008 until 2016 as Councillor and Deputy Mayor, where he was instrumental in stopping the commercial centre proposed for the Triangle site, building the skate park, refurbishing the Palais and conceiving the Victorian Pride Centre in Fitzroy Street. He is a local business owner, and is president and board member of several local not-for-profit organisations. He believes that all residents should be engaged, included and be an integral part of the city and he wants to work towards more genuine citizen participation. Vote for Serge because he makes it happen.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live; the Bunurong and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to our traditional elders, past, present and future.
Authorised by Serge Thomann, PO Box 117, Port Melbourne Vic 3207
