Cardinia Shire elections Ray Brown

Concerns smaller towns will be overlooked unless a strong voice is representing the unique Westernport ward has inspired Koo Wee Rup resident Ray Brown to seek re-election.

Mr Brown, now retired from his project management consultancy business, said he would stand on his reputation and was ready to serve a second term if people saw fit.

With nine single-councillor wards, Mr Brown stressed the importance to build alliances and have a strong voice or risk smaller areas getting overlooked.

“I’m very concerned, with the demographics of Cardinia Shire, we are basically green wedge rural and we can’t compete against the Beaconsfield, Pakenham, Officer and those high populace areas.”

“You do have to speak up for your area and that’s the main reason (I’m seeking re-election).”

If re-elected, Mr Brown aims to work towards a public bus service linking Lang Lang to Pakenham via Koo Wee Rup with the suburban train network; act on plans for a truck bypass at Lang Lang to divert sand trucks from the main street; and gain pedestrian access from the Lang Lang township to the recreation reserve at Caldermeade.

He said other issues were overdevelopment of small towns with units and townhouses, drains and roads and improving sporting amenities.

Reflecting on the past four years on council, Mr Brown said he was proud of “the fact I’ve been able to help the ratepayers when they came to me with an issue”.

He said this included improvements at Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve, three main roads added to the sealed roads program and unveiling family violence prevention program “Together We Can”.

With a long history of service at the township committee, footy club and community centre in Koo Wee Rup, Mr Brown was awarded citizen of the year in 2011.