GOL Gol-based water broker Jon Armstong has put his name forward as a Wentworth Shire candidate, after first considering doing so last election.
The 38-year-old father of two has called for a partial refresh of names in the council chambers, to blend new ideas with experience and corporate knowledge.
“An ideal mix is a group of current existing councillors and some new candidates,” Mr Armstrong said.
“One of the other candidates made some comments about the age of some of the councillors, I don’t think that’s important.
“What’s important is bringing the skills we need as a council and mixing that with fresh ideas and fresh energy.”
Mr Armstrong is one of four first-time Wentworth Shire candidates this election, alongside two previous councillors, and six people who currently sit in the council chamber.
He said the Shire’s efforts over the last two terms in particular had positioned the region well, and he wants to help maintain momentum.
If elected, he intends to push for a second oval at Gol Gol to boost junior sport, the introduction of kerbside recycling, improvements to water pressure across the Shire, and a learn-to-swim pool for the Pooncarie community.
“I have skills in the political space and I want to be able to put them to use to help my community,” he said.
“No partisan politics involved, just knowing the doors to knock on, the questions to ask, the arguments to raise to push our issues to the forefront and make sure we get heard.
“I just want to help us be better.”
Mr Armstrong is currently a National Party branch member, and previously worked as a staffer for Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster.
He will be listed as an independent candidate on next month’s ballot, and he said he’s not running with any intent to tow a party line or pursue a party argument.
“Unlike the Liberals or Labor, the National Party don’t run a local government ticket, and I think that’s important,” he said.
“Partisan politics I don’t think has a place to play in local government, it should just be about the community.
“That’s why I’ve put Independent, because I’ll work independently to the best of my ability to serve my community and see that our argument is put forward.
“If that means disagreeing with friends I might have in the National Party on issues, then that means disagreeing with them.”
Mr Armstrong said he had a long history of community involvement outside of politics and work.
He is a member of the Gol Gol Rural Fire Service, and is currently involved with a school board and several non-for-profit boards in Mildura.
He also had previous involvement with the Sunraysia Farmers Market and Slow Food Mildura.
