Peter Kostos

More communication and community consultation is a priority for sitting councillor Peter Kostos if he is re-elected.

Aside from still having “unfinished business,” Cr Kostos said he enjoyed council and the interaction with people.

“I’ve had, and will continue to have, good communications with the community and residents.

While not being elected at the main elections, and only elected due to vacancies on council, Cr Kostos said he has served eight years of the past 11 years of council.

“This council has been very successful in managing finances and needs to continue to be sustainable.

“The shire’s in a very good position compared to other shires and that needs to be continued.

Considering the growth rate of Baw Baw Shire, Cr Kostos said there was always going to be challenges for council.

There is always going to be work to do improving infrastructure for large towns and smaller towns.

“It is fair to say, from past comments, that the rural sector does miss out.

“Obviously the bigger towns attract more attention for infrastructure but it’s where 70 per cent of the population is also.

“Over the next 20 years rural infrastructure is going to have to improve as pressure increases on these smaller towns.

Cr Kostos said a community hub incorporating a library was a priority for the Trafalgar community.

He said he was one of two councillors opposed to closure of the Trafalgar customer service centre and believes there is potential to reintroduce this service into a community hub.

Despite criticism to the contrary, Cr Kostos said one of the biggest improvements he had noticed during his time on council was increased communication and consultation.

He blames criticism for lack of consultation for the lack of interest by residents in issues during consultation phases. “Until it actually affects someone it doesn’t actually resonate what we are doing.

“But we have been a lot more proactive in getting the information out there.

Cr Kostos said recent consultation on the rural land use review was an example of council wanting to get it right and hear what people wanted.

Cr Kostos lives in Darnum and is a livestock market analyst.

He said the change in the ward boundaries would certainly change the dynamics of the ward.

“I’d like to think that will go in my favour being at this (the western) end of the ward and the only incumbent in east ward.”