Fred Boreham
Returning a shire customer service point to the eastern end of the shire is a priority for east ward candidate Fred Boreham.
Mr Boreham said he was not a single issue candidate but high on his agenda was returning a customer service centre to the eastern end of the shire.
He said closure of the Trafalgar centre meant people in the east had to travel to Drouin and a “civic presence” needed to be returned to Trafalgar.
Now retired, Mr Boreham worked in local government for 20 years, which he says gives him a strong insight into the workings of councils.
He said his local government roles in recreation, transport connections and community development enabled him to work closely with community members and he wants to continue that work as a councillor.
Mr Boreham said there needed to be more community consultation and more transparency in council.
“Certainly The Gazette gives good coverage to council issues but if you don’t read that, you don’t get the information.
“I believe council business should be more open…a lot of it is pre-determined before the council meeting. It doesn’t appear to be open decision making.
Mr Boreham said council needed to provide more support to industry and employment opportunities within its economic development polices.
While infrastructure and development to keep up with growth is a priority for the major towns, Mr Boreham said rural communities were more concerned about road maintenance.
“Farmers pay their rates but given they were a seven day operation, they rarely gained the benefits of community infrastructure.
Addressing drainage issues for the Trafalgar and Yarragon flats and town areas also is on Mr Boreham’s wish list. “It is all big money and I’d like to see more planning go into that so there is more shovel ready projects ready for funding.”
With his background in recreation, including sports and facility management, Mr Boreham said he was passionate about improving recreation opportunities in the shire.
He said this was not just about active sports but also leisure participants including paths and parks.
Mr Boreham currently lives in Trafalgar but has lived all around the east ward in the past 50 years, including Thorpdale, Narracan, Yarragon and Rawson.
He has been involved in several community organisations and committees including the CFA, Yarragon Water Trust, Narracan Neighbourhood Advisory Group, Uralla Nature Reserve, Trafalgar Community Homes for the Aged and school and kindergarten committees.