Vote 1 Justin Halliday

A fair go for Alma Ward

Local EXPERIENCE
Local KNOWLEDGE
Local ACTION
Local RESULTS

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New vision for Alma Ward

As a long-term resident of St Kilda East, I’ll bring fresh energy and progressive ideas to the Port Phillip Council.

Ensure Alma Ward gets our fair share of Council funding

Increase affordable housing supply across Port Phillip

Invigorate Carlisle St shopping centre with new development plan

Accelerate tree planting and deliver new parks in under-served areas

Invest in safe walking and cycling routes across Port Phillip

Act on climate change to reduce emissions and mitigate impacts

Invest in community childcare, aged care, and libraries

Revitalise our local precincts with community-led projects

Reduce cost of living pressures with focus on value-driven projects

Rebuild community cohesion

Bring renewed integrity, transparency, and trust to Council

St Kilda East and Balaclava have been overlooked by the Council. As they invest millions in projects elsewhere, our community misses out.

St Kilda East faces challenges with high population density and limited green spaces compared to other parts of Port Phillip. Our local parks, streets, and businesses struggle, yet the Council directs funds away from us.

It’s time for a representative on the Council who will advocate for our neighbourhood. We need improved parks, thriving shops, and better services in Alma Ward.

I’ll be a strong advocate for St Kilda East, ensuring our needs are addressed and our voices heard. And as a progressive community candidate, I’ll prioritize accountability to the residents of Alma Ward and Port Phillip, rather than party political allegiance.

About Me

Read My Policies

Endorsements from our Community

Alma Ward has been neglected for too long. Justin has the experience, the plan and the passion to turn this around. He is a genuine progressive, grassroots independent putting the community first and he deserves your support.

Tim Costello AOFormer St Kilda Mayor and Community Leader

I’ve worked closely with Justin and seen his dedication to PECAN’s goals. Justin’s thoughtful approach to equitable climate action, greening, and open space has strengthened Port Phillip’s climate action plan, secured new and expanded parks for St Kilda East and Balaclava, and resulted in strong tree-planting targets. In all his work locally, Justin works thoughtfully and skillfully with a wide range of stakeholders. He passionately advocates for fairness and equity, properly resourced and well-delivered council services, and support for a thriving Port Phillip for all residents.

Deb SykesPort Phillip Emergency Climate Action Network

As the founder of Friends of Alma Park, I’ve seen first-hand Justin’s love, appreciation, and vision for Alma Park. Justin will be a passionate advocate for our beautiful park on Council, supporting the families, walkers, runners, dogs, cyclists, sports people, and gardeners who make Alma Park the hub of our community.

Andrew FosterFounder, Friends of Alma Park

I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Justin on the Green Line local environmental initiative. He communicates with clarity and conviction, driving impactful outcomes for our communities. His ability to connect with people, infectious positivity, commitment, energy, and thoughtful approach makes him a great candidate for councillor in Port Phillip.

Mark WallaceGreen Line Alliance

Action not words! I know that Justin has a long track record of working for Alma residents. His action plan to revitalise Carlisle Street and to deliver more open space, better transport choices and improved community safety, is a great solution. He will be a strong advocate for our community.

Freda ErlichFormer Alma Ward Councillor

Justin has extensive knowledge of how Council works. He understands the budget process, the delivery of services for childcare and libraries, the internal operations of Council, and the challenges and needs of his local community. This knowledge will allow Justin to hit the ground running as a councillor to deliver for the residents of Alma Ward and the whole of Port Phillip.

Frank O’ConnorFormer Port Phillip Mayor

Justin’s work on the Green Line project and Port Phillip Council’s Urban Forest Strategy and Public Space Strategy demonstrates his grasp of the significant health, well-being, biodiversity and cooling benefits of our parks and trees. His ability to bring together community members and advocate effectively to the Council has delivered new local parks, strong targets for tree canopy, and embedding biodiversity in the Council’s planting plans.

Kerry GoreAustralian Treenet Community Leadership Award 2021

I am proud to endorse Justin for Council. Carissa and Justin are deeply committed to fostering with our agency, and they are reliable, dependable and trustworthy. Their work supporting vulnerable children and families showcases their dedication to our community.

Kate SullivanMackillop Family Services

As the recent CEO of the Port Phillip Community Group (PPCG) and former Councillor, City of Port Phillip, I am very pleased to support Justin Halliday as the Councillor for Alma Ward. Justin is a long term resident of Alma Ward with an understanding of the many challenges facing Alma Ward. Justin is committed to fair and equitable access to all of our city’s services and resources that embrace diversity, celebrate difference, encourage participation and ensure Port Phillip continues to be a great place to live, work in and enjoy. His knowledge, passion, energy and community involvement ensure that Justin will be a hard working, inclusive and accountable Councillor, and will deliver for the residents of Alma Ward and the whole of Port Phillip.

Karen SaitFormer Port Phillip Councillor and Community Leader

As a Councillor for the Alma Ward area in the former City of St Kilda, I’m delighted to endorse Justin Halliday as a candidate for Alma Ward. Justin’s understanding of the challenges facing our city equips him to represent our community as a councillor. He is in it for the long haul and will be a strong and responsive champion for Alma Ward.

Les RosenblattFormer St Kilda Councillor

Justin has been a massive contributor to the effort to secure equitable, sustainable transport for Port Phillip. He’s worked to give residents the option to ride, walk, or scoot to work, to school, or to the shops, and understands that meeting the climate challenge can mean cleaner air, healthier people, and happier children.

Julie ClutterbuckPort Phillip Community Leader

Justin believes in action. I’ve worked alongside him and seen his passion, commitment and care to improve community safety, nurture our parks and trees and take real climate action across St Kilda East and Balaclava.

Gillian UptonBalaclava Community Leader

Representing our Community

Over the years I’ve represented the St Kilda East community in engagement with Council and state and Commonwealth governments across the political spectrum.

LOCAL Achievements

Green Line engagement with Mayor and council officers

Justin Halliday representing PECAN in meeting with Energy Minister Chris Bowen

Justin hosting the Urban Heat or Cool Green Urban Forest Strategy forum

Justin and Danny from Snap Send Solve at Alexandra St

Green Line engagement at Balaclava Community Garden

Justin representing local residents with Councillors

Justin running The Adaptation Game for Port Phillip residents

Campaign Updates

Representing our neighbourhood on Channel 9’s Today Show to discuss the dumped vehicles next to St Kilda Cemetery.

Representing our neighbourhood on Channel 7 news to discuss the dumped vehicles next to St Kilda Cemetery.

Discussing Council’s unfair capital investment process, which short-changes Alma Ward residents.

Upcoming Events

Previous Events

Local Climate Action Now!

2:30pm, 25 August 2024
Join us to discuss the impacts of climate change on Port Phillip in this Local Climate Action event.
I’m speaking about the impacts of flooding and accelerating sea level rise here in Port Phillip. The event’s other speakers will cover electrification, greening and open space, and emissions reduction.

Watch Recording

Port Phillip Emergency Climate Action Network banner image showing an aerial view of St Kilda with a human sign on the beach reading 'Climate change - Our future is in our hands'

PECAN Meet the Candidates!

4pm, 4 August 2024
I’m joining other climate-friendly Port Phillip election candidates at this social event.
Come along to meet and hear from each of the candidates from each of Port Phillip’s 9 wards.

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Urban Heat or Cool Green: Port Phillip Urban Forest forum

6:30pm, 19 March 2024
Dive into the science and practical considerations for Port Phillip’s draft Urban Forest Strategy, and how we might reach 30% canopy cover by 2040, as set by other cities.

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Progressive Port Phillip 2024 Campaign Launch

6:00pm, 26 March 2024
Join Progressive Port Phillip ahead of the 2024 Council Election Campaign with the launch of a Policy Platform to unite candidates for progressive change in October.

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Your Questions…

Why aren’t you standing for a political party?

I’m a long-standing progressive voter, but I prefer to represent people outside of the constraints of party politics. Port Phillip council has a long and sorry history of party-affiliated councillors selling out the principles of their party.

Why are you standing when we need more women on council?

I totally agree; I’d love to have a local woman stand to drive action on the issues we’re facing here in St Kilda East. If this sounds like you and you’re interested in standing in the election; get in touch and we’ll team up! Until then, I’ll represent our community.

If you’re not taking donations, who’s paying for your campaign?

I am. I’m serious about this, so I’m putting my own money into my campaign, as well as my time and everything else!

Sounds like you want to get lots of money by being a councillor.

Hahahaha. Quite the opposite. If elected, I will reduce my work time and take a pay cut. Councillors do get paid, but this does not fully cover the time and effort required to properly represent our community.

You sound like a decent chap, but I’d prefer to vote for one of the main parties.

It’s a safe choice, but not all party-affiliated candidates are up to the job, not all political parties will reflect your priorities for St Kilda East, and not all candidates are here to represent their constituents; many see local council as a way to achieve their higher political ambitions.

All these projects sound expensive, how are you gonna pay for all this?

The City of Port Phillip has over $160m in reserves and consistently delivers $10m surpluses yearly, yet the council budget only allocates $640k for greening across the entire city. The council budget is a question of priorities, and if elected to council I will prioritise the needs of St Kilda East and long-term sustainability, rather than further investment in the most privileged parts of Port Phillip.

When I Google ‘Justin Halliday’ I get a LinkedIn page for someone working for the Victorian public service. Is this you?

Indeed! For the last 10 years I’ve worked for the Victorian public service. Most of my work is in project management for innovation projects.

When I Google ‘Justin Halliday’ I get lots of pages for a videogame and tabletop game designer. Is this you?

Yes! This is me. I spent 20 years in the videogame industry, and now I design and publish role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons) and board games. My most notable game project is Hero Kids, a role-playing game for kids that has been translated into more than 10 languages and is played by families around the world!

When I Google ‘Justin Halliday’ I get research papers about immunisations and bushfire evacuations. Is this you?

Yes, this is me too! These are just a few of the amazing projects I’ve been able to work on in the Victorian public service. For the first project, we partnered with Monash University to test how we can improve immunisation rates. In the second, we worked with CSIRO and RMIT to design a system to simulate human behaviour during bushfire evacuations.

When I Google ‘Justin Halliday’ I get someone who worked for Screen Australia. Is this you?

Yes! I did a great stint at Screen Australia as an investment manager for the Multiplatform Fund and the Games Fund. It was a great experience working with our talented creative industry, and I’m proud our funding delivered amazing games and screen projects (one notable project was the Katering Show, after which the Kates have gone on the great success!).

When I Google ‘Justin Halliday’ I get a dentist in Smithfield, Queensland. Is this you?

No, this is not me. Sadly, I cannot help you with dental issues.

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live; the Bunurong and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. The people of the Yalukit-willam clan were the first custodians of the unceded lands that now comprise the City of Port Phillip.