MEET JULIE WILLIAMS

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In November 2022, Councillor Julie Williams was elected Mayor of Darebin. Suraya Saleh spoke to her about her journey to Darebin’s top job and her plans for the area.

“I need to do more in Reservoir. We all need to do more,” says Mayor Julie Williams.

We’re sitting in her office at Preston City Hall and I’ve just asked whether Reservoir has been overlooked by Darebin City Council in the past.

Mayor Williams is emphatic. “Absolutely.”

She says she’d love to beautify it: “More trees, more seating, more bins, more colour, more connection. Places to be proud of, places that connect people more.”

As Mayor and a councillor for Reservoir’s North Central Ward, she’s better placed than most to instigate change, so I’m keen to learn more about her plans for the community.

A lifelong Darebin resident, she was born and raised in Thornbury, studied at La Trobe University, and moved to Reservoir when she got married.

She came to local government not because she sought a political career, but because she saw an opportunity to make a difference in her community.

It started when a developer put in an application to build a seven-storey apartment building on Plenty Road near her house. Realising that it would go ahead if nobody did something, she was spurred to action – door knocking to get neighbours onside and organising submissions to Darebin Council and VCAT. The campaign was successful and the development never went ahead.

When the next council election came around, friends, neighbours and even standing councillors encouraged her to run.

While initially reluctant as she had two young children – including a daughter with severe autism – she did end up running and was elected in 2012.

Balancing family life with council commitments was a challenge, but it was also very rewarding.

One of her proudest achievements is having hanging basket swings included in new playgrounds throughout Darebin – a policy which was then introduced around Australia.

“If there's one place where children should not be discriminated, it’s at a playground. So if you have a broken leg, or are in a wheelchair, or if you had autism like my child, or OT (occupational therapy) issues, at least they could use one piece of equipment at every playground,” she says.

She also names the elderly and people with disabilities among her priorities. She says the council plans to continue with home care support, despite the program running at a loss.

“We believe we need to support our most vulnerable in whatever capacity that we can, whether it's going shopping, showering them, or doing basic cleaning at home,” she says.

Mayor Williams is also passionate about the Preston Market and has been active in campaigning for its protection.

“The Preston Market is a place of gathering where no matter where you come from, you feel welcomed,” she says.

“It's a huge employment hub, particularly for our north. We've got people that have been employed at the Preston Market that would never have had the chance or opportunity otherwise.”

While the fight isn’t over, the Save Preston Market campaign had a significant win on 3 April when the State Government announced it would be introducing Heritage and Development Plan Overlays, which will restrict development.

But this is of course The Rezzadent, so I want to hear more about her plans for Reservoir.

Top of her wish list for investment is the

Reservoir Leisure Centre precinct. Mayor Williams is in favour of a 50-metre pool, pointing out that local schools currently need to leave the area for events like swimming carnivals.

“The Reservoir Leisure Centre needs to be rebuilt, it might be down the track, but it needs to start being designed for the future population,” she says.

“We're going to have an increase of around 30,000 people in the next 10 years and most of them are going to come towards the north of Darebin. It'd be lovely to have a beautiful centre for people to engage in and to socialise at, and swimming is a life skill - an important life skill.”

Mayor Williams also names the Cheddar Road strip as an area she’d love to see redeveloped, although she concedes it might be difficult due to the site being owned by Melbourne Water. Despite these barriers, community consultation was sought for ideas on how to ‘activate’ this strip a few months back, whether that be through community gardens, dog parks, playgrounds, fitness equipment or barbecue areas.

However, with Council still feeling the financial effects of the COVID pandemic and already committed to infrastructure projects such as the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre redevelopment, she can’t say for sure what Reservoirfocused initiatives will make it into the upcoming budget.

One place that Edwardes Lake visitors will be happy to know is, on the agenda is the boathouse. There have been several attempts in the past to convert it into a café or restaurant, but none have gone ahead. Hopefully this time will be more successful.

“We've seen what other boat houses have been able to accomplish,” Mayor Williams says, gesturing to a framed artwork of Studley Park Boathouse hanging by her desk. “The boathouse is definitely one of the things that we would love to activate, or reactivate, I should say.”

Talk turns to other local spots – what are her favourite places to eat and drink in the area?

“Oh, there’s so many. When you said that, my mind was like tick, tick, tick,” Mayor Williams says.

She mentions Hard Rubbish – now called Hardout – a bar on Plenty Road which recently was gifted to new owners for free, after a pitching process.

“I love those types of stories. They wanted to hand it over to somebody else who could reinvent it and continue it. And that's what they did.”

She loves getting out in the community – whether that be dropping into The Hub youth centre, handing out accolades at the Darebin Community Awards or dancing for hours at the FUSE Festival event - The Last Dance.

“People need to see a representative out there. They need to see that Council cares,” she says.

“And they also want to tell me their stories and their complaints. And I need to hear it, whether I like it or not.”

She encourages anyone else who is passionate about their community and wants to give back, to consider local government.

“I encourage anybody who would like to run for council as I think it's really important, especially if you have a vision and want to see change. I personally believe anyone can run for council.”