Council candidates: Mayor Danny Claridge

I ran for council in 2016 because I wanted to give back to the community that has been my home for over 40 years.

I very much enjoyed my previous term, have learnt a great deal, and feel I have a lot to contribute to the new council.

What has been the highlight for you?

There have been many highlights over the past four years.

In my term as mayor I was enormously proud to take part in the Australia Day ceremony, and present awards recognising the fantastic efforts of people in our community.

It was also wonderful to welcome new citizens who become Australians on that day.

Kevin joins race for council

Other highlights have included visits by councillors and staff to our rural communities - Baddaginnie, Devenish, Goorambat, Lima, Lima South, Lurg, Swanpool ,Tatong, Thoona and Warrenbayne, where we met with community members to discuss their concerns and inspect community facilities.

These visits highlighted the magnificent work being done in rural towns, many of which have reinvented themselves to become thriving tourist attractions.

Unfortunately COVID-19 brought a temporary halt to these meetings.

However, many of the needs identified will be addressed through the current drought funding infrastructure grants.

If re-elected, resuming these meetings is on the top of my list.

It has also been satisfying to replace some very old equipment at the works depot.

We have two new graders to enable more efficient upkeep of rural roads, a new backhoe for general maintenance and construction work replacing a 20-year-old dinosaur, and our own little street sweeper, Sweepy Jean, keeping our streets and gutters tidy.

Ryan encourages sporting clubs to apply for grants

Our current council has also secured funding, and are in the process of delivering, some great projects:-

● Children's splash park by the lake;

● Lakeside revitalisation project, including additional lighting and repair of the fountain;

● Upgrade of the museum and Visitor Information Centre with the addition of a new cinema;

● Construction of a new transfer station at the landfill which will improve separation of recyclables from waste;

● Refurbishment of the aquatic centre involving retiling of the indoor pool and repainting the entire facility;

● Resealing the Denny St car park;

● Upgrade of Fawkner Drive; and

● Facilitation of new change rooms and kiosk for junior sport at the Arundel St oval.

Frontline worker: Peter the Vet

Leaving the best till last, there are about 1500 new jobs either already here or coming to Benalla and district.

We have 800 new housing blocks approved or awaiting planning approval.

Studies show that Benalla is in the top 10 growth areas in Australia.

What has been the biggest challenge?

In what was both a challenge and an opportunity, council faced the task of appointing a new chief executive officer on the retirement of Tony McIlroy after 15 years of dedicated service.

It was vitally important for the future of Benalla that we chose the best possible candidate.

After an exhaustive process we appointed Dom Testoni.

Dom is proving to be an outstanding CEO, with a wealth of knowledge in local government and commerce.

He has been with us since January 2019 and with his family is enjoying living in Benalla.

If re-elected what are your plans for the next four years?

I've worked hard over the last four years to listen and respond to the concerns of residents, to improve service delivery, and to secure funding both for current infrastructure and projects.

In the coming four years Benalla and district is set to grow and prosper.

There are many projects still to be delivered and just as many new ones to be secured.

Linsday Thomas joins race for council

All this is good news.

But I want to ensure we have the strong and careful leadership needed to make the most of this boom, while preserving our wonderful country lifestyle.

I also want to ensure that the benefits are shared equally and that we continue to care for the most vulnerable in our community.

We need councillors with experience, project management and entrepreneurial skills, dedication and compassion.

Another of my priorities is management of waste which represents a huge financial burden to our rural city.

In the past our land fill was allowed to slip backwards, with cell construction running over time and over budget.

The current council has addressed this and the latest cell was completed on time and on budget with all EPA audits completed.

Planning has started for the next cell, as well as construction of a transfer station to reduce waste, and automation of the weighbridge, but we have a legacy of huge rehabilitation costs that needs to be carefully managed.

I also want to continue my work in addressing sustainability and environmental issues.

I have actively supported the Victorian Government's circular economy initiatives to incorporate reuse and recycling where possible.

I have moved a motion to ban all single-use plastic at council and council events.

This will hopefully will be ratified shortly and supported by the new council.

I am pleased to note that Victoria is set to introduce a container deposit scheme and separation of glass from recycling.

Gail O’Brien to run for council

I'm asking for your number one vote, so I can continue to work hard for our community in council.

Do you have anything to add?

I have noticed prospective candidates calling for transparency and openness in council.

Local Government would have to be the most accountable and transparent form of government in Australia.

All of our agendas and minutes are online.

Our meetings are live streamed and on YouTube.

Our budget and council plan are also online.

A small number of decisions, such as tenders and commercial in confidence documents, come under the heading of confidential business.

All other business is debated openly.

I encourage everyone to go online and view your council at work.

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