Council
15 October, 2024
Election candidates outline vision for West Wimmera Shire Council
Council candidates share vision beyond roads, rates, and rubbish.
Voting has started for the West Wimmera Shire Council election and voters have received their ballots in the mail.
In September, The Wimmera Mail Times invited all candidates to provide a 300-word profile and respond to two questions.
This week, we wanted candidates to look beyond roads, rates and rubbish and outline their vision for the municipality.
Six hopeful candidates across the municipality are hoping to be elected to the council of five seats for the next four years.
Here are their responses to question one in order of the VEC listing.
Q. What is your vision for the municipality
Richard Hicks.
Prioritize road repairs and reconstruction Advocate for upgraded telecommunications; eliminate 'black-spots.' Develop and promote tourism and hospitality, supporting local providers and boosting our local economies. Support housing investment, benefiting schools and sporting clubs. Support for childcare, aged care, hospitals, medical facilities, recreational activities.
Helen Hobbs.
My vision is to support economic vitality by growing local businesses, attracting investment, and creating jobs, ensuring West Wimmera progresses. I will endeavour to improve transparency in council decisions and advocate for better delivery of basic services. Through meaningful community engagement, I will make fair, informed decisions for our future.
Jodie Pretlove.
To strategically plan for opportunities that support growth investment employment and education we need full access to up-to-date technology digital connectivity and support and insure we have suitable road networks and adequate infrastructure in our towns. We need to support agriculture and production and ensure stable and accessible health services.
Tim Meyer.
A thriving, positive, and resilient community where residents enjoy a high quality of life and economic opportunities abound. A community that embraces innovation, prioritises community well-being, and preserves its unique rural character and utilising its amazing natural places. But mostly a place where everyone is proud to call home.
Tom Houlihan.
Mr Houlihan did not provide a response.
Bruce Meyer.
To make the West Wimmera Shire a place where people want to live in, pleasant and inviting. Support all the shire services that provide employment and are vital to the local economy. Continue to support upgrades to community infrastructure where needed.