Seventeen candidates will contest the pool for the nine seats on Tamworth Regional Council at the September 8 election.
SEVENTEEN candidates will contest the pool for the nine seats on Tamworth Regional Council at the September 8 election.
This is the third in a series of profiles that outline the candidates’ campaign issues. We have asked all candidates a series of questions.
So far, we have provided responses from Danny Ballard, Gary Chillingworth, Ray Tait, Russell Webb, Mark Rodda and Kimberley Sherwood.
Today we profile three more and will continue it next week.
Tim Coates
President of Australian Training and Consulting, Tamworth Business Chamber and the Tamworth Jockey Club, and a local sports administrator.
Why are you standing for election?
To serve our community. I have represented on various organisations over a number of years throughout the region, including the Tamworth Business Chamber, Rotary, jockey club, Tamworth football and the Moonbi Community Development Committee, to name a few.
I decided the next logical step was to run for council and offer my time and skills to our fantastic region.
What are the major issues facing our region?
Our region is well-placed to continue the growth experienced over the past few years.
How we handle the impact of the opportunities and challenges that business and industry throws at us will be key to how we are placed in the next decade.
A strong commercial sector will employ us and our children – helping to lobby and ease the red tape issues they face will be a big task for the whole community.
What will make our region a better place?
Continued development of a number of the strategies that Tamworth Regional Council has in place, such as the major sporting and cultural activities that have be drawn to the region.
Continue to include the villages and hamlets in the overall planning of council. Increased and diversified communication is key to ensuring all community members have a say and are involved in the process.
Sandy Allan
Resident from Upper Manilla and a businessman.
Why are you standing for election?
A belief that Tamworth Regional Council needs a new direction.
There appears to be an expanding imbalance between the urban and rural areas.
An urgent need to improve dialogue/communication between the residents and Tamworth Regional Council.
Fresh ideas are required to attract industry/business to the entire region.
A need to balance the books in respect to loss-making ventures and essential infrastructure maintenance.
What are the major issues facing our region?
The apparent focus on housing developments immediately around and within Tamworth city.
Insufficient emphasis on attracting new people/families to the region – linked to the need for greater employment opportunities.
Perception that regional growth can only be achieved through the cultivation of the country music industry.
Poorly maintained roads network.
Lack of encouragement creating low levels of self-esteem within areas of the Tamworth Regional Council workforce.
What will make our region a better place?
Overcome the issues above.
Vastly improve the upgrade and maintenance of existing roads/ highways.
Encourage the establishment of new industries/businesses across the region. Highlight the opportunities and assets of the entire region.
Respect and treat the region as a balanced, whole area – not a region of isolated individual entities.
Improve the lines of communication at all levels – councillors/ratepayers/staff/the general public.
Judith Edmunds
Tamworth businesswoman and local artist.
Why are you standing for the Tamworth Regional Council election?
I was born, raised and farmed at Spring Ridge, so am very aware of the needs of smaller communities.
A safe, clean water supply and the maintenance of regional roads are just a couple of the issues that are priorities for smaller communities.
Most previous councillors appear to have a limited understanding of these areas. I would be a strong advocate for the needs for all of the Tamworth region and not just the city of Tamworth.
What are the major issues facing our region?
I support development but proposals need to be more carefully assessed as to their impact and cost.
Improved transparency and governance of Tamworth Regional Council operations.
Having run a diverse farming operation with my husband for 30 years, I am particularly mindful of planning, budgeting and financial management.
Tamworth Regional Council must improve its image with the community on environmental issues.
What will make our region a better place?
The council needs to respond to the community wishes and not be seen as being more supportive of developers.
I strongly support youth activities that will reduce anti-social behaviour and crime rates.
With an ageing population, retirees must receive more consideration with access to amenities.