Animal Justice Party candidate Chloe Coulson speaks with STPL News about transport, housing and her push for greater investment in Hastings communities.
Chloe Coulson, the Animal Justice Party candidate for Hastings, says the electorate needs better public transport, stronger community services and greater protection for wildlife.
In an interview with STPL News, Coulson outlined the pressures facing residents and why she believes voters should consider a minor party.
Her party profile says she has spent seven years supporting students with disabilities and complex needs at a specialist school, alongside community and conservation volunteering.
Why Is Chloe Coulson Running For Hastings?
Coulson said development pressures, habitat loss and housing insecurity had helped shape her decision to stand.
She argued that Hastings was missing out on investment in services and infrastructure.
“I just feel like there’s not proper investment in Hastings itself in terms of infrastructure and community services.”
Protecting Wildlife And Improving Hastings Roads
Coulson wants stronger environmental protection around Western Port and greater recognition of the role wildlife, bushland and beaches play in the peninsula’s appeal.
She said industrial investment had a place, but protecting natural areas and supporting ecotourism also needed attention.
On roads, she supported the council’s funding requests and repairs to potholes. She also wanted wildlife crossings, tunnels, signage and appropriate fencing included in road investment to reduce collisions with animals.
“I really want to advocate for stronger environmental protection, stronger animal protections.”
Public Transport In Hastings, Somerville And Tyabb
More frequent services and better connections between buses and trains were central to Coulson’s transport priorities.
“I strongly, strongly advocate for more direct hourly buses.”
“I want more frequent train services and for those buses and train services to actually link up.”
STPL News raised concerns that the trial Hastings–Mornington bus route excluded Somerville despite community calls for its inclusion, and that local state member Paul Mercurio MP had not advocated further for that change.
Coulson agreed Somerville and Tyabb needed better bus connections. She linked improved transport to household costs and access to healthcare, sporting facilities and community services.
Healthcare And Community Facilities
Coulson supported more funding for community health and allied health services, including paediatric care. She also advocated preventive healthcare through access to healthy food, exercise and sporting opportunities.
After visiting Western Port Wolves FC for a presentation day, she said local sporting facilities needed investment.
“Having access to appropriate sporting facilities is very important for a community.”
She linked that investment to physical health, mental wellbeing and community connections.
Coulson also backed the Animal Justice Party’s Veticare proposal to improve access to affordable veterinary treatment, saying pet care costs were adding to household pressures.
“We want people to be able to afford to look after their pets.”
Housing And Crisis Accommodation In Hastings
Coulson identified ending gender-based violence and increasing crisis accommodation as priorities, alongside greater investment in social and public housing.
“We need to have specific crisis accommodation.”
She called for stronger community services supporting people affected by violence and questioned whether housing labelled affordable was genuinely within reach of those who needed it.
On rental conditions, she said some tenants were living in substandard properties and landlords needed to be held accountable.
Why Vote For Chloe Coulson In Hastings?
Asked what she would say to voters questioning whether a minor-party candidate could make a difference, Coulson argued their votes could influence the priorities of the major parties.
She said support for the Animal Justice Party sent a message about the importance of animals and the environment.
Candidacy had also given her opportunities to meet residents and advocate for their concerns, she said.
“Everything that I do for the Animal Justice Party is on a volunteer basis.”
Her closing message focused on practical involvement. She pointed to wildlife rescue, landcare and engagement with people experiencing hardship as examples of how she and fellow party members acted on their concerns.
“We’re not just sitting back somewhere saying that we care about these things.”
“We’re actually doing it. We’re actually involved.”
Read our Hastings interviews with Frank Schiefler and Peter Angelico.
