GRANT District Council’s newly appointed chief executive officer David Singe has foreshadowed his plans to drive economic development in the region.
Speaking with The Border Watch just days after stepping into his prominent local government role, Mr Singe said he was impressed with the economic diversity of the council area.
Boasting a background across four states in the fields of economic development, planning and health roles, the civic leader said he was eager to apply his expertise and knowledge to the Grant district.
Mr Singe said he was already buoyed by the engagement of Mayor Richard Sage and elected members, as well as the strength of the district’s agricultural food basket.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be here, it is a wonderful region. I was very impressed with the council’s documentation regarding its economic and council strategy,” Mr Singe said.
“I thought they were very sound and logical.”
Mr Singe also described Grant council’s setting as “very interesting” given it had a doughnut presence around South Australia’s largest regional city.
“That gives it a singular character and it is a beautiful region – it has diversity and my background is working in regions with primary production,” Mr Singe said.
Explaining he knew little about hands-on agriculture, Mr Singe revealed he had a strong background in economic regional development.
“My achievements in economic development should be beneficial here,” he said.
“It is a very sound economic region and it has a long standing presence of being an identifiable region.”
He said the South East was not just recognised in the state, but also nationally.
“It is certainly known in Melbourne,” he said.
Mr Singe has also flagged he wanted to take significant interest in the region’s health care.
“I have a long standing interest in health care, it goes back 25 years and I am currently the chair of a primary health service in the West Australian wheatbelt,” he said.
Mr Singe said economic development and healthcare were linked to the vibrancy of a region.
He listed the cornerstones of economic development as jobs, health, education and transport.
“Most of my work will be piecing things together strategically,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the Grant district was also home to two large community-owned infrastructure facilitates – the Mount Gambier Airport and Glenburnie Saleyards.
Conceding both the airport and saleyards posed some challenges moving forward, he said council needed to determine how it would continue supporting the livestock exchange and “keeping it relevant”.
But Mr Singe is well placed to tackle the saleyards given he was involved in creating a new livestock selling facility north of Perth through regional analysis.
The council executive also pledged to be “upfront” regarding his views regarding these two assets and other issues across the district.
In particular, Mr Singe vowed not to be stuck behind a desk, but said would go out and meet
ratepayers and staff.
“I will be out and about looking at everything,” he said.
“When issues come up, I will not be sitting behind a desk, I will be out somewhere in the council area dealing with them.”
Mr Singe has also been meeting with elected members over the past week in a move to gain a snapshot of issues facing the council.
He was appointed to the position following a comprehensive recruitment process.
