WATTLE Range residents will vote for their mayor for the first time in eight years with two contenders emerging for the role.
The position will be vacated by by Peter Gandolfi at the end of the current term.
Mr Gandolfi deposed sitting mayor Mark Braes at the 2010 local government election and was re-elected unopposed four years later.
Stepping forward to contest the prominent position are former police officer Des Noll OAM will join current deputy mayor Rob Dycer in contesting the mayoral position.
Mr Noll said his first attempt at local government was rooted in a desire to see the community prosper, be successful and create opportunities for all residents.
“I see my role as mayor to empower and collaborate strongly with council staff, elected members and the community and support them in their endeavors,” he said.
“We are a very connected community throughout Wattle Range and that allows us to continually build a positive future that will drive economic prosperity and sustainability.
“I am confident I can bring a strong dedication and energy to the position of mayor to build on what we currently have.”
Mr Noll’s extensive community experience in the area stems back more than three decades, serving on the executive of Millicent Lions service groups, as Blue Light SA Incorporation president and in various roles within Apex, including national secretary and state president of the organisation.
He was instrumental in rebuilding the Wattle Range State Emergency Service (SES) unit and serves as chair of the recently established Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network.
“That community involvement demonstrates my commitment to what I can bring to such a position as mayor and how I can work with the community in listening and recognising the needs for all people within the Wattle Range area,” he said.
“I am very focused on empowering existing community groups such as Lions, Rotary, Lionesses, information centres, the Penola Heritage Group, the Millicent Show Society, the Millicent and Surrounds Health Support Group and many others within the scope of Wattle Range.”
While highlighting the Domain Playground, the Millicent and District Community Club and council’s stormwater, footpaths and road infrastructure as significant issues, Mr Noll stressed all issues within the council area were of equal importance and needed to be respectfully addressed.
Mr Noll said a community-minded approach was a necessity to hear ideas and develop solutions to benefit all residents.
Noll OAM has entered the contest to become the next mayor of Wattle Range Council
at the November elections.
“Whether it be roads, rubbish, rates or community infrastructure, they are all important issues within the council area and need equal attention,” he said.
“The future will be about resolving some of those issues and I am positive a lot of that will be done through community consultation and a focus on financial viability.”
He said he was keen to investigate opportunities for youth to participate in the democratic and decision-making processes of council.
“Our youth is the future of our region and we need to develop and nurture our young people,” he said.
“There are some fantastic young people that would really grow and develop within the Wattle Range Council structure.”
If successful, Mr Noll said he would also focus on council’s operational structure and supporting the existing “highly professional staff component”.
“A lot of local governments either do not have or stuggle to find strong staff, but we have a lot of first class people in their respective fields,” he said.
“We have to look after those people, from the gardener to the chief executive, and empower them with what they can do.”
Nominations for all positions open on September 4 and close at noon on September 18.
Enrolled voters will receive ballots in the post in late October and close of voting is scheduled for November 9.
