David Lyons

Economic, social and cultural development of communities while maintaining assets and services is the priority for east ward candidate David Lyons.

“As growth occurs in our area we need to ensure we have the infrastructure and services that support community life from footpaths, walking tracks and roads to the arts, recreation and support services.”

Mr Lyons, a student welfare officer at Trafalgar High School, has lived at Willow Grove for three years and before that lived in Yarragon.

When nominating for council elections, he stood down as the current Trafalgar Community Development Association president. He also is a member of the Trafalgar High School council as well as being a scouts and Capstaff rovers leader at Trafalgar and Newborough.

Mr Lyons admits he has been a “close observer” of council in recent years and believes he can offer the community a committed councillor who will make himself available.

One of Mr Lyons’ main reasons for standing for council is to bring about more mindful community consultation.

“I know it’s cheaper to do other types of consultation but sometimes people feel they aren’t being heard.

“I want people to feel they are a shareholder in the project and that’s about setting policy around what consultation needs to be.

Mr Lyons wants to see community infrastructure developed to meet residential growth.

A library for Trafalgar is a key project that he has been part of a community drive to achieve and says he will continue to push for a library if elected.

Mr Lyons said there was potential for the former Trafalgar shire offices to be redeveloped into a community hub that is a multi-purpose facility that could cater for library services and a shire customer service centre.

Mr Lyons said Trafalgar lost community facilities – including the customer service centre and railway station toilets – while Warragul and Drouin gained services.

He said it was important to retain facilities and services in smaller towns like Willow Grove and Neerim South as the larger towns like Trafalgar and Yarragon continued to grow.

Mr Lyons said he also would like to see council continue to support arts, particularly public art.

He also supports the proposed redevelopment of the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

“The vision of the 1980s was not achieved and it’s good future planning to do this project. This is our chance to achieve that original vision.

“It is also an opportunity for businesses and the community to support the arts,” he said.