Almost five decades of living in Shepparton has led Kieron Eddy to run for council in 2024.
An Undera resident of nine years and Greater Shepparton resident of 47 years, Mr Eddy feels confident in being qualified to run for the Lower Goulburn Ward in this year’s council elections.
“I’m going for that ward because I live there. Simple as that,” he said.
“I think with the ward system, candidates should live where they’re running, it just makes sense.
“If you live in a community and you want to see improvements and then run for it.”
He decided to run for council as he had a passion for local issues and wanted to be a part of the solution.
“I got sick of complaining and I figure you can either throw things at the TV or do something about it and, well, I'm at that time when it’s time to try to do something about it.”
In particular, he promises to advocate for budget handling.
“I think budget control is the biggest thing.
“I mean, it's all right to go and provide 150 services, but if you're constantly borrowing money on top of what ratepayers are paying and all that sort of stuff, you're going to run out eventually.
“That’s the greatest thing with Shepparton, we just need some budget control.
“We need to stop trying to convince everybody that a lot of these assets are actually assets when they’re liabilities.”
For the Lower Goulburn Ward in particular, he said his goal was to elevate voices in his community.
“From what I'm hearing in the community, people are sick of being ignored.
“I just want to provide an ear and see if we can come up with some solutions.
“Community’s got some great ideas for trying to improve Mooroopna and surrounds.”
All in all, the Goulburn Valley is more than just a location for Mr Eddy, he said.
“I don't know what I love about the Goulburn Valley, but it's home,” he said.
“I've been here so long. I haven't lived anywhere else.
“If you live in an area for so long, you don't think about what you love about it, you just do.”