KEEPING a lid on rate rises and rebuilding links with local volunteers are the priorities of the fifth candidate running for mayor and councillor on the Derwent Valley Council. He is Philip Bingley, of Lachlan, who is a retired environmental health officer with experience working for several councils.
“Having retired after 39 years in Local Government, my priorities if elected councillor and mayor, would be: to advocate with my fellow councillors that the council’s annual rates and charges should only increase by no more than CPI for an average family home; that the council re-establish a Visitor Information Centre in New Norfolk to help support local jobs in tourism; that through the mayor the council provide more support for our many local volunteer clubs and groups and less on unnecessary council bureaucracy; that the Council support a culture of respect , dignity and inclusion by altering the current Boyer Oval shower and toilet facilities to cater for both sexes in accordance with AFL Guidelines,” he said.
Mr Bingley said he would be a full-time mayor if elected. Despite being the most recent candidate to put his name forward, Mr Bingley was the first to put up a sign on the popular Junction Motel corner in New Norfolk. He has since been joined there by Michelle Dracoulis, who was the first candidate out of the blocks.
A dual by-election will be held next month to elect a new councillor and mayor following the recent resignation of Ben Shaw after three years as mayor. Two other councillor vacancies in November and December were filled by recounts and another vacancy is expected in coming weeks when Cr Frank Pearce leaves the municipality.
The other known candidates for the by-election are Ms Dracoulis, of New Norfolk, and former deputy mayor Peter Binny, of Granton, and acting mayor Jessica Cosgrove, of New Norfolk, and Julie Triffitt, also of New Norfolk. Any other intending candidates for the position of mayor and/or councillor are invited to make themselves known to damian@newnorfolknews.com.
One Comment
Great news.
I don’t know or have ever met this candidate.
Whilst doing my event management and hospitality career, we feared Environmental Health Officers, then I realised they were very approachable and only wanted to protect and help us to follow the laws of which I had dismissed previously as ‘red tape’.
I realised that the red tape was vital and would take on board all they recommended. I welcomed their input.
Given we now have to live with COVID I rejoice in the fact that we have a candidate who understands that keeping EVERYONE safe is paramount. We don’t want many cohorts of our community hiding away in fear. We all deserve the best life we can live and we all have much to contribute.
Profit and freedoms for a few in the community is no longer the NEW VIBE. It is not hard to adjust to make living safe for all walks of life in our community and make inclusive and safe environments for all of us to thrive.
We need arts, we need tourism and hospitality, we need community, but most of all we need people to feel safe and included. Nobody should be excluded.
Leah Byers,
New Norfolk