THE Border Watch asked all the Grant council election candidates the same questions.
This week, the question was: ‘What is the number one thing you hope to achieve in the next term, if you are elected to council?’
Answers are given in the candidates’ words.
Bruce Bain, David Swiggs, Kaydee Rogers and Valma Phillips did not respond in time for publication.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Richard Sage
I want to be proud of the Team that are to be elected this term and as Mayor have the Council refocus on what we do well by delivering cost effective services that are affordable and meet the needs of the
community we care for, to listen and be responsive to the needs or, their concerns as they arise.
This way, we can bring respect back to the Council Chamber and to the leadership roles we all hold.
As a Council we are Board Members that are the elected custodians for a four-year cycle. We are elected to plan for and deliver services, look to the future in a systematic and orderly way and ensure sustainable
budgetary processes are made, achievable and adhered to.
There are many unanswered questions and issues our ratepayers will face over the next four years. These are only just a few.
* Forced amalgamation.
* Boundary re-alignment to appease the adjoining Council.
* Climate change and bushfire management.
* Coastal inundation and storm surges.
* Retention and improvement on coastal access.
* The ability for people to insure their properties in coastal and flood prone areas along with high bushfire risk.
Kylie Boston
I have decided it’s time for change, and by offering myself for a choice as Mayor, I will bring fresh ideas, with an important focus on our ratepayers, the core business of our council and aligning services with their needs and efficient delivery.
The new transformational once in a lifetime generational project that is planned for the Saleyards is very exciting, it’s something this 40-year-old structure needs and will be fabulous to see this achieved in our next term.
The upcoming inner townships masterplan will be an important part of the new council’s direction and I look forward watching how this develops and urge everyone to get involved, it is your chance to have a say about your local community.
If I am elected as Mayor, I will focus on building a team committed to improving productivity, reviewing our service provisions, and ensuring Council responds to ratepayer needs. Building a vibrant community made up of our many small towns and communities is my goal. It is a privilege to represent our community and I will take this very seriously.
CENTRAL
Brad Mann
I would like to see the inner town ships master plan come to fruition to give a voice to the small communities that make up the greatest number of residents in the district council of grant. This would give council direction from the community when developing strategic plans for the future wants and needs of the community.
Barry Kuhl
I hope to get the refurbishment of the saleyards, keep working with the federal government so we can get our money there and get the renewal of the saleyards – the roof and all the infrastructure that goes with that.
Also the inland communities townships, we’ve just started a review with the staff there with that. Those are probably the two big priorities.
Megan Dukalskis
As part of council for the next term I would work in a team so that we can achieve many parts of of our strategic plan and continue to serve our community.
This would be achieving some of our major infrastructure upgrades including the much needed upgrade to the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards which is pivotal to our rural community.
The Saleyards are still referred to as the lifeblood of our community as they serve as a gauge for how our community is going financially and socially.
We have a vast council made up of many small coastal, rural and small township areas and as a member for Central Ward I hope to continue to make sure that all small communities are given a voice and funding is spent throughout the entire council. I would continue to ensure that all funds spent by council are accountable and represent value for ratepayers.
Gavin Clarke
If re-elected I will also continue to advocate for greater transparency and communication in all government dealings and resistance to legislative changes that limit the freedom of regional South Australians to determine their own futures.
Peter Duncan
What is the number one thing you hope to achieve in the next term, if you are elected to council?
The number one thing I hope to achieve in the next term, if elected to council, will be continuing to build on the level of engagement and consultation within the community to ensure residents’ views are reflected in council. This enables informed, open, transparent decisions in council on projects which add value to our region. I will continue to be a strong advocate for financial accountability on council budgets. Ensuring council delivers successful major projects like the completed Airport redevelopment and Saleyards upgrade on time and on budget.
Greg Baxendale
I’m a semi retired Husband and Father, who has had a shack at Cape Douglas for over 20 years and who has lived there for the past 5 years.
I have a sound knowledge of business, planning and advocacy, having previously been a Learning and Development Manager for an Emergency Services Organisation, where I was responsible for 6,000+ Volunteers.
More recently I was the Regional Manager for the Australian Red Cross in Mount Gambier.
Katherine Greene
I don’t have a number one ‘thing’ I’d like to achieve- rather a variety.
* Cohesiveness and awareness. Forging relationships and connections with our Districts residents and rate payers. Being a voice for people, their views, and concerns. Creating productive working relationships and connections with the fellow councillors to ensure respectful, balanced and considered decision making occurs.
* An understanding of processes & the impact on us, the regular rate payers and residents of our district.
I want to make sure we are getting the best from our resources locally, enabling our region to grow without getting bogged down with inefficient processes, whilst remembering council’s
responsibilities through legislation as well as provide services in response to the needs and priorities of local communities. I think I will be asking a lot of questions!
* Working together with city council- we are unique within our own ways and working together can allow us to lobby both state & federal government to build a stronger region focussed on our specific needs and economic growth.
* Continue on with the great work Council has already begun- within the rural, coastal and river areas, and disability access to built environments. There are so many positives to our beautiful area that are being focused on.
* In the end what I hope to achieve is to be an honest, hardworking representative with a common-sense approach for the benefit of all in the Grant District Council, open to all perspectives.
Terry Smith
If elected to council, I would like to see improvements made in the tourism sector by way of improving and introducing new facilities aimed at encouraging families to come and holiday in our
region. Any Improvements made and new facilities constructed would also benefit the local community providing activities for local families and children.
PORT MACDONNELL
Gillian Clayfield
Once again my focus will be on Port MacDonnell while also being involved with decision making for the wider council area. Port MacDonnell is the flag ship for the Grant Council and as such we need to ensure that it is presented as such. With recent projects seeing the power lines put underground and the pram accesses added to the streets is a good start.
My continued focus will be on building community and connections within Port MacDonnell with the Community Complex being the hub of our town.
I would love to see the Old Boat yard developed into a real attraction for the town within this next term. With the communities recommendations taken into consideration the improvement and continued growing of the playground making it a draw card for the town. I will continue to advocate to have the weed removed from the foreshore and Hammonds drain cleaned.
For the council as a whole I would like to see the council working as one which I hope will happen if Kylie Boston is elected Mayor. We currently have a very valued staff and enthusiastic elected body and if we are all working as one I can only see bigger and better things for Grant District Council.
Rodney Virgo
Put simply, to improve and encourage community participation and to build a cohesive community by strengthening links between residents, the community, sporting organisations, businesses, and Council.
TARPEENA
Karen Turnbull
I want to ensure that we build a strong team who can work together, with respect for opinions to effectively represent the ratepayers of the Council of Grant. The key to achieving this is through communication, consultation and collaboration which are the areas that I am passionate about to ensure that we build a strong team.
These 3 areas are vital for the team to be able to discuss proposals for development in the Council of Grant areas to make sure consideration and informed decisions are applied in a strategic manner for the best outcomes for our communities.
Local decisions should be made by a strong local Council who have a vision for the future planning and development of our area, to the benefit of our communities. Local Council and your area Council members are the grassroots voice for our communities.
The Council of Grant needs to be a strong team to represent ratepayers where more and more decisions are being made centrally in Adelaide, not in regional areas. Without a strong cohesive Council, our voice will not be heard or taken seriously.
