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Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News

A question and answer forum will be held in the Naracoorte Town Hall at 7pm on Thursday October, 13. Candidates in the upcoming council election will be available to answer questions from the audience.

This follows a Meet the Candidates forum in the Town Hall last week which attracted 160 people, but the audience was not allowed to ask any questions.

Additionally, four candidates were unable to attend the forum – Huck Shepherd, Dr Abigail Goodman, Darren Turner and incumbent Cr Tom Dennis.

All other candidates gave presentations at last week’s forum following an introduction from emcee Limestone Coast Local Government Association executive officer Tony Wright.

Mr Wright highlighted the electoral commission’s rules which included not referring to another person who had nominated as a candidate, among other things.

“What a fantastic turnout,” said Mr Wright who also congratulated the community for being actively engaged.

“Isn’t it fantastic that we can actually do this? There’s a lot of countries around the world – they don’t have a democratic process. You don’t get a voice, and you don’t have an opportunity for a bit of open dialogue.”

In order of their positions on the ballot paper, Mr Wright called candidates to the lectern, starting with the mayoral candidates Patrick Ross and Erika Vickery.

Mayoral candidate Patrick Ross – “It’s time for change”

Mr Ross said: “It is time, It is time for change”.

“Ladies and gentlemen, here is your greatest opportunity in four years to make that change,” Mr Ross said.

“If we continue doing what we’ve always done, we will get what we’ve always got, and we’ll have the same result.”

Mr Ross referred to questions he had received leading up to the forum including “What will you do for me if you are mayor?”.

“I will give you strong and authentic leadership. I will ensure open and transparent governance,” Mr Ross said.

“I will listen and advocate for the community and I will ensure that the community is engaged by all forms of media available.

“The mayor’s job in a nutshell is simple. The mayor chairs meetings. The mayor represents and speaks for the council and the mayor attends official functions.

“But I have a question for you, ladies and gentlemen.

“Over the next four years your council representatives, the councillors, will be responsible for the allocation or the expenditure of maybe upwards of $100 million dollars.

“That’s a lot of money. Now, this is your money at work. It must be spent wisely and must be spent fairly throughout the entire district.

“Would you just allow anyone to spend this money on your behalf? I don’t believe so.

“As electors, you need to look hard at the candidates that are standing.

“Ask yourself what experience they bring to the table, to the chamber of council.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your role is to vote for the best candidate available.

“You need to ask lots of questions of them. It is your role ladies and gentlemen, to do your due diligence and to be informed.”

Mr Ross referred to Country Mile columns published in The News regarding the performance of elected members.

“It was brought to my attention some time ago of a series of articles written in The News and that many members of the public had taken offense to what was published,” Mr Ross said.

“After I’d read these articles on the standing members of council, I look forward to a report card on my performance in four years time.

“We all have aspirations and expectations about what may be achieved over our term in service.

“One should not take offense to a review of our performance. This is called accountability.”

Mr Ross turned to a further question he had been asked: “What will you do for roads, infrastructure and local business?”

“Once again ladies and gentlemen this is the role of councillors. They have the ultimate power to make policy and ensure that their policies are carried out.

“In fact, one of the first jobs they will have to carry out when they become councillors will be to review all of council’s policies.

“My role as mayor, if elected, would be to pull the team of councillors together so they listen and represent you, the electors.

“To that end I will be engaging with all facets of the community. Business, social, sporting, tourism – we are here to listen to them all.

“This will ensure that councillors can make well informed decisions to allow our community to develop and prosper with the appropriate infrastructure, services and amenities.

“A well-informed community will be able to influence and inform council.

 “This is the way we will have a great outcome for everyone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you are wanting strong authentic leadership of council – with a track record of getting the job done, on time, on budget, and with no if, buts or maybes – you will vote one, Patrick Ross for Mayor. Thank you.”

Mr Wright then called Mrs Vickery to the lectern.

Incumbent Erika Vickery – A passion to continue serving as mayor

Mrs Vickery said the people of the Naracoorte Lucindale area are “the focal point of my passion to continue serving this community as mayor”.

“I’m continually amazed by the people and opportunities that are found in our council area, in the hubs of Lucindale, and Naracoorte and the townships of Frances, Kybybolite and our surrounding rural areas,” Mrs Vickery said.

“I am seeking re-election to continue to work in making Naracoorte Lucindale council area the best place in regional South Australia to live, to work, to do business to visit, to raise a family and to retire.

To do this as mayor I aim to lead a forward looking results driven council with the community at the heart of its decision making.

“I am proud to have led a council which has a strong list of achievements.”

Mrs Vickery listed her highlights with the new library at the top of her list.

“The Naracoorte Library and Town Hall project …provides an essential resource for people of all ages,” she said.

“It provides a warm, safe and inviting place for reading, meetings, studying, computer access and participating in the many programs that are offered. The continual upgrade and maintenance of our rural road network is critical.

“We have continued to invest strongly in the construction, re sheeting and patrol grading of rural road network and have worked hard to source grants to assist.

“We have adopted a three year rolling program for trimming of roadside vegetation to ensure safety for vehicles.

“The improvements at the regional livestock exchange ensures that that facility is one of the best in southern Australia.

“With the community we have successfully developed masterplans for many spaces and have delivered many projects within those master plans such as escape heart and pump tracks at Lucindale and Market Square and the Town Centre project at Frances just to name a few.

“When I reflect on my time as mayor, I understand that any successes are team successes of the elected members, staff and community.

“My strength as mayor is leadership, bringing people together and bringing them along on the journey.

“I have an inclusive approach to decision making and a calm considered collaborative leadership style.

“I am proud that under our current leadership the Naracoorte Lucindale Council is in a strong financial position.

“This puts us in a good position to deliver future priorities.

“I strongly support providing good infrastructure for our rural sector, which of course includes the rural road network and the continuation of the upgrades and maintenance of the saleyards.

“I look forward to implementing projects such as rejuvenating the Naracoorte town centre and Musgrave Avenue in Lucindale and the playground and the amenities of the Frances recreational grounds.

“I support the preservation of the North Park land area for the community use and I do strongly support future development in Naracoorte in the appropriate places.

“Our sporting and recreational areas throughout the district are vitally important for fitness and well-being of our communities.

“And I support the continuing assistance to ensure their sustainability.

“I also look forward to progressing the regional sports centre project.

“Delivery of the arts and culture and well-being programs and support for events throughout the district all assist to make our community welcoming and inclusive.

Under my leadership council is in a very sound financial position and if re-elected will ensure we remain so while keeping rates at a controllable level and delivering the services to the community.

“I enjoy being a hands-on contributor to many community organisations serving as a volunteer or in a leadership role.

“The community can be assured that my energy and passion are just as strong today as when I first joined council and these years of service have given me invaluable experience in local government.

“I have the time, dedication and family support to lead our council to ensure we have stability and future prosperity to be a great place to live.”

Mr Wright then called on candidates to make their presentations in order of their position on the ballot paper. The News will publish part of their five minute presentations.

Related story: Smart blocks questions in public

Naracoorte Community News 5 October 2022

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.

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