A DESIRE to see services for the community improved has prompted Kalangadoo resident Robbie Stewart to seek a place on Wattle Range Council.
He will be a candidate for Sorby Adams ward at the upcoming election.
The ward takes in his home town as well as the townships of Glencoe, Mount Burr and Nangwarry.
It has been represented by dairy farmer Rob Dycer since 2005, while retired school principal Dale Price was first elected in 2010 and is nearing the end of his second term.
Nominations for the 11 vacancies in the four-yearly elections do not open for another two months, but the 34-year-old joins fellow newcomers Millicent’s Nicolle Looby-McRostie and Michael Gurney and Tantanoola’s Klaus Emmerich in announcing their intentions for council.
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi will not be seeking a third term in the role, but a number of other serving members are expected to re-nominate.
Nearly all of his life has been spent living in Kalangadoo and Mr Stewart believes more can be done to improve his home town.
“I am concerned about the presence of open drains on Adelaide Road at Kalangadoo,” Mr Stewart said.
“There are potholes on the first portion of Cemetery Road and it is an unsealed road.
“There are a number of properties in the Kalangadoo area which need to be cleaned up as they pose a fire hazard.”
According to Mr Stewart, the roadside fire danger information boards across the district should be upgraded and carry electronic messages.
“I would like to see the reinstatement of a full postal service to Mount Burr,” he said.
“There should be longer opening hours and a bill-paying service.”
Mr Stewart’s work and community interests brings him into contact with many community members.
For the past nine years, Mr Stewart has volunteered his time as a radio monitor for the Coast Guard service.
He has participated in the annual Swagtember charity event for the past three years and will do so again in 2018.
One of his voluntary duties with the Country Fire Service has been re-filling water bombers.
Mr Stewart has experience as a security guard and currently works at a Mount Gambier supermarket.
