INTRODUCTION: The 'Balanced Bathurst' team consists of locals from different parts of our community and was designed to offer voters a set of candidates, from a range of different backgrounds and life experience, who can help steer the future of the city in their own unique ways, but with one common trait; entrepreneurial spirit.
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I have experience in small business, communications, governance and government.
Family-centric Kirralee Burke has worked in community services, is a small business owner and I wants better representation for women.
Peel local Charlie Dutton is a sheep Grazier who wants a louder voice for people living on the land and in villages; addressing issues that affect farming enterprises.
Kelly Baker is an academic/sporting superstar who is a PHD candidate at CSU.
Dr Will Fitzpatrick is a successful local dentist who remains committed to improving health outcomes for Bathurstians.
PRIORITIES:
1. Making sure council does everything (within its scope and responsibility) to ensure we see the BIMC go ahead.
2. Formulating a strategic approach to the construction and acquisition of funds for our infrastructure backlog projects, including: Hereford street, water security infrastructure, the potential of a bypass and other local issues.
3. Breeding a better, less divisive culture on council; via good working relationships and better governance. To bring Bathurst back into good repute with people considering our city for tourism or a tree change.
BIMC: The proposal is fine as-is. This is a critical piece of infrastructure for local business and health users, it simply must go ahead.
WATER SECURITY: Water security should be addressed via a network of infrastructure projects, rather than one big, expensive one ie, Dam Wall rise. We also need to change the way we use water and make smarter, localised regulatory changes in development policies that our city has ie, larger minimum water tanks for new builds, cyclical water restrictions based on historical climate data, etc.
RIVER CROSSING: About halfway down 11 Mile, crossing to join Bradwardine area, providing good connectivity for Eglinton and a cross city option for Kelso residents. It would provide a balance: solving current traffic pressures and preparing for growth, which is earmarked for the northern side of 11 Mile.
AMBULANCE STATION: The development of the ambulance station will have to come from private investment. I've had talks with prominent restauranteurs, who have all expressed interest in a "pavilion" type restaurant. I would look forward to approaching other investment groups, and providing those leads onto council.
GO-KART TRACK: If the report on the current site returns positive sentiments for the project, then we should seriously consider moving forward with it. Go-kart tracks can bring significant economic stimulus to the area, and it makes sense to have one close to Australia's premier Motorsport precinct.
RATES CAP: The council should prove to ratepayers that we are sound financial managers before raising the rates. I believe we should be addressing most of the $100 million dollar backlog with good strategic planning and a strong presence in Macquarie Street and Canberra.
BUSINESS COMMUNITY: Council should help the local business chamber resource a full time staff member; to attract businesses to join, participate and voice their concerns for the business sector but also create stronger lines of communication between the chamber and council. Frequent reporting and open conversations will help small business prosper.
WOMEN'S VOICE: Balanced Bathurst's Kirralee and Kelly are two strong, vocal women in their respective communities. Along with other powerful women in my life, they help shape my policies and stance on local issues, and would continue do so moving forward if only I am elected. Although it is unlikely (due to the volume of candidates this time around), I would love to see Kirralee Burke on this council.
COUNCIL DIVISIONS: I think this divisiveness will be fixed at the ballot box. There is a real appetite for change in Bathurst, and we will see a significant shake up of the composition of council; the bad culture will die with it. Working with people from all walks of life can be hard, with open discussion and positivity, good compromises can be made. It's all about balance.
FUNDING: I have run a self-financed campaign to remain fully independent. However, my fiancée has donated a significant amount of time, energy and patience to my run, and I owe a lot to her!
