News

Margaret seeks gender balance in council

By Simon Ruppert

Oct 6, 2020

Benalla Rural City Candidate Margaret Richards, after experiencing technical difficulties with her video submission for the online forum, submitted the following statement for the community.

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I am not aligned to any political party.

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community.

I pay respect to Elders past, present and future.

I have been a volunteer for most of my life and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to the community.

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Nominating to stand as a candidate for Benalla Rural City Council, when elected, will be an opportunity to represent all of the community in a meaningful way.

I am a member of Benalla Art Gallery Committee as the representative of Friends of the Benalla Art Gallery Inc.

I am a life member of the Benalla Art Gallery, the Benalla Costume & Kelly Museum, the Friends of the Gardens and Riverine Trail.

I support the Save Our Station and Better Benalla Rail group.

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I am a member of Benalla Sustainable Future Group.

I have signed the pledge for the LGBTQIA community.

I support the cultural diversity of Benalla and district and recognise the contribution that they bring to the Rural City.

I would like to hold a festival to celebrate the many people who have come from away, sharing their history, food, dance, culture, traditional dress and the many points of connection to their new home.

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I am against mining destroying the natural environment and farm land.

I have read the Council Plan 2016-2036 and will work to implement projects subject to funding.

During the years the Benalla Art Gallery committee has undertaken many community consultations, I will seek evaluation, by councillors of these studies.

Council have been working for some time to mitigate climate change.

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This started with the Greening of the Art Gallery by providing rain water collection tanks, modification of air control units and installing solar panels.

The installation of solar panels was a significant saving to the running costs of the gallery, these savings were passed on to other solar installations on council buildings.

I will prioritise drainage and clearance of flood ways of debris also natural and built barriers hindering the flow of water.

Extending and maintaining walking and cycle tracks for the safety of users.

Vote 1 Richards for concerned representation and gender balance at the council table.