Proud Tatura resident Rod Schubert is stepping forward to run for the Midland Ward in the upcoming Greater Shepparton City Council election later this year.
Mr Schubert has called Greater Shepparton home for nearly 30 years, with 23 of those years spent living in Tatura.
“I’m very passionate about where I live, Tatura is the most welcoming and engaging town I have ever lived in,” he said.
“I have a lot more empathy for what people are trying to do, and what they’re trying to change.
“I live in this ward, therefore, I’ll comprehend some of the issues this ward is facing. People in Shepparton don’t really understand what’s happening in Tatura.”
If elected, Mr Schubert’s priority is to be “a voice for the rural sector”.
“The Midland Ward takes in a lot of the rural aspects of the City of Greater Shepparton, and I believe that the rural sector is getting left way behind,” he said.
“I’m of the opinion the current councillors and staff of Greater Shepparton City Council are very Shepparton-centric. The rural sector misses out on so much.
“The small country towns are not getting the same consideration that they should, as Shepparton does.”
One of the reasons Mr Schubert is running for council is the introduction of the ward system.
“The great thing about wards is the representation is much more specific,” he said.
“I know a mass of people within the Midland Ward, I believe they’re going to be a lot more comfortable approaching me about their issues and their problems because they know me.”
Mr Schubert believes the biggest issue in the Midland Ward is the need for more industrial land.
“We do not shrink to greatness, we have to grow,” he said.
“One of the things that worries me is the amount of people that are leaving the towns of Tatura, Merrigum and Undera to travel to Shepparton to work because there’s not enough work now.
“We have to change that. We have to make sure there’s more industrial land, for industry to come into the Midland Ward.”
Mr Schubert believes his dedication to improving the rural sector of Greater Shepparton will help make him an excellent councillor for the Midland Ward.
“I can assure people I’m extremely passionate, dedicated, and I have all the spare time in the world now to focus on council duties and council activities,” he said.
“I will be a very loud, sincere and loyal candidate for the people I represent.”