Danny Goss

Maintaining the status quo is not what Danny Goss is aiming to do if elected.

He said he has put up his hand because he believes council needs a shake up.

“I want council to be much more open and fewer decisions made behind closed doors”.

Hopefully I won’t be a lone voice, Mr Goss said.

An accountant and financial adviser and Warragul resident for 40 years Mr Goss said accountability and lower rates were other key areas where council could do better.

He wonders why there is a lack of footpaths in key areas in Warragul, such as for residents of Fairview aged care and the soon to be opened 120-bed aged care facility in Tarwin St to be able to get into town on mobility scooters.

The decision to spend more than $1 million on an animal pound at Longwarry North when there were much cheaper options, recent planning decisions relating to Brooker Park and Waterford Rise and the lack of infrastructure to cater for growth are other matters that concern Mr Goss.

“More money should be directed to footpaths, including filling in missing links where pathways came to a sudden halt and on roads”.

But he doesn’t want council to borrow when it can’t afford it.

“There are areas where costs could be cut and council, like everybody else, has to live within its means”.

It is one of the reasons Mr Goss has doubts about the extent of the proposed expansion and redevelopment of the West Gippsland Art Centre.

He said he wouldn’t support borrowing millions of dollars for the Arts Centre that is used by comparatively few ratepayers.

Unless costs are brought under control Mr Goss said he would not vote for rate increases but would vote in favour of sensible planned development that retained the rural city aspect of Warragul.

Ratepayers have had to endure continuous rate rises with out any subsequent increase in amenity, he added.

Mr Goss said he would provide independent and common sense decision making to a council whose lack of successful business experience had been “way too evident”.