Darren Short

East ward candidate Darren Short would like to see Baw Baw Shire get behind the region’s tourism potential and take advantage of the industry’s opportunities to attract people and make money.

“If you believe in something, work hard and you can make it happen,” he said.

Mr Short has lived in Noojee for 20 years and works in a family interior furnishing business based in Warragul.

He and his brother started the Flamin’ Bull Restaurant in Warragul more than 25 years ago and he also worked in tourism in the Whitsundays.

He admits he has a passion for tourism but believes there are many untapped opportunities for tourism development and promotion in Baw Baw.

“Our area is sensational and there are so many opportunities, there’s a lot of money to be made. But we need to promote it better.

Mr Short said there also were opportunities for farmers to incorporate cabins into their operations to assist with their incomes and help support local tourism.

But, to achieve that, he said council needed to be more flexible and supportive of such concepts through its planning.

Mr Short said he wanted to see a planning department that had an attitude to make things happen and work with people, within planning regulations, rather than putting up brick walls. “They have to try harder for the people,” he said.

With the east ward largely focussed on rural communities, Mr Short said he was aware that road condition was a major issue for many residents.

Mr Short said he would like to see more investigation of road repair options, such as concrete, which may be more expensive but has a longer life span.

“Roads get patched up but it’s not successful and only a short term fix. I am not talking about long stretches of roads with concrete but areas that keep breaking up. We should at least do the investigation.

Mr Short stood for council elections four years ago in the north ward and was humbled by the number of people that voted for him because they believed in what he had to offer.

“My interest in council is based on we all pay rates, we all grumble that our rates go up and grumble about the state of our roads so I figured I should put my hand up.

“I don’t expect to come in as one person and change the world…but you can change the directions and that might make a difference.

Mr Short has been involved in committees for several local football clubs, has coached junior football, was commandeur at a yacht club and was involved in Noojee’s Festival in the Forest.