Hi, I’m Christine Leahy
Like you, I love living in Mount Martha, on The Mornington Peninsula.
I am standing as a candidate in the Mornington Peninsula Shire by-election, for the Briars ward because I want to make sure we are well represented on council.
If elected, I will stand up for what matters most to our community.
I have spent many weeks listening to our community. You have told me you love living here, in a place with great beaches and bushland with a great sense of community. But, there are opportunities for council to make Mount Martha an even better place to live.
I am committed to ensuring every dollar is well spent, to get the best outcomes for our community.
I support the Shire's long-standing commitment to protecting the green wedge and the unique character of the Mornington Peninsula.
I believe council should focus on its core deliverables - rates, roads and rubbish - but also provide ways to enable our residents to live healthy, connected lives. For example, supporting sporting clubs with good facilities, improving pathways so people can get around on foot or by bike, and ensuring our amenities are well maintained and quickly repaired when needed.
I will strongly advocate for:
Responsible spending of rates
Every dollar of ratepayers’ money must be spent wisely
Well maintained roads
No more roads riddled with potholes
Safe intersections
I will advocate to the State government to have dangerous intersections like Uralla Road fixed, we shouldn’t be risking our lives on our roads
Faster repairs to local amenities
Our pathways, such as the Balcombe Estuary and Birdrock Beach should be fixed quickly so we can enjoy them. It shouldn’t take years
Community Safety
I will partner with community organisations and the police to ensure we are safe in our homes and on our streets
Supporting local businesses
Small businesses are at the heart of the Peninsula. We need to help them thrive, not tie them up in unnecessary red tape
Better sports and recreational facilities
Our sports facilities are falling behind in the Briars ward and across the Peninsula. Sport plays a major role in our community, and we need to make sure these facilities are properly maintained and supported
About Me
I am grateful to call Mount Martha and the Mornington Peninsula home. Our beaches, our bushland, and our strong sense of community make this one of the most special places in Victoria.
This is what motivates me to step forward — to listen, to represent, and to work hard for our community.
I bring leadership experience across family businesses, charities, multinationals and health services, combining practical business insight with community‑minded decision making. This is strengthened by a Commerce degree and as a Fellow of Leadership Victoria’s Williamson Community Leadership Program.
I am currently an Executive Director for a business that supports leaders across health and human services in Australia and New Zealand. My earlier career includes roles with Deloitte, GlaxoSmithKline, the Corval Group and Treasury Wine Estates. I also founded and led a charity and served as a Board Director at Barwon Health.
My favourite pastime is walking, you’ll often find me walking along South beach, by the Estuary or through Sunshine Reserve.
I have two daughters - one in primary school and one in high school. In my view, there is no better place to raise a family.
Please note: voting in the Briars Ward by-election will be conducted by postal vote. Ballot packs will be mailed by the VEC to enrolled voters from 14 September 2026. Completed ballot papers must be returned to the VEC by 6pm on Friday 2 October 2026. Voting is compulsory for enrolled voters.