A FOCUS on bringing down the cost of living for low income earners is driving the Bathurst Regional Council election campaign for Don Grant and Gordon Crisp.
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Mr Grant, the former NSW Surveyor General, is running for council as the lead candidate on a two-person ticket with Mr Crisp.
He said his long career in planning and development had him well placed to serve on council.
“I bring experience at all levels of government and on the international plane,” Mr Grant said.
“I have been working overseas in many countries with regard to community interests and community planning and development.
“I believe I have an ability to absorb a great deal of information and analyse it to come up with outcomes for the community that would be an asset on council.”
Mr Grant said he wanted council to investigate real solutions to help bring down the cost of living, particularly for older residents.
Tackling rising energy prices was one area he believed council could have an impact.
“We’ve heard a lot of talk about solar panels and solar batteries but the reality is they are not an option for people who are already struggling to pay their power bill,” he said.
“But I really think that council could investigate bulk purchasing as a way of doing something about power bills for residents.”
Mr Grant also says that council, as one of the largest residential developers in Bathurst, should be providing more affordable housing options.
“Councillors need to be more than doers, they need to be civic leaders,” he said.
“When I talk about affordable housing I’m not just talking about the younger end of the market but also the older end.
“We see enough on TV about the gouging of older residents to know there is a real problem. Council has the land and sufficient funding sources to help solve it.”
Mr Grant moved to Bathurst in 1986 and retired in 2000.
He has done a lot of work in overseas community development since then but always called Bathurst home.
“I believe this is an appropriate time for me to give back. I have had a pretty good life and I think it would be difficult to match the experience I have had in the development area for the community,” he said.
Mr Crisp had served for 16 years on council before his position was declared vacant in 2008 after he missed three consecutive meetings without having an apology recorded.
He unsuccessfully contested council elections as a solo candidate in 2008 and 2012 but said he was happy to support of Mr Grant campaign this time.
