Richard Nixon, who has a farming, grain storage and road freight business at Oaklands and Savernake, is heading up a ticket seeking election to Federation Council.
The other group members on his ticket are Number two Robert Pearce, Number three Rowley Bennett, Number four Rosie Dye and Number five Sue Curran.
“Our group comes with years of experience in running their own businesses. We are very determined to get the Federation shire up and running efficiently,” Mr Nixon said.
“The Federation shire boundaries run from Mulwala to Oaklands, Urana, Morundah, Boree Creek, Rand, Howlong and Corowa towns plus extensive agricultural pursuits within. Although this is a big area, it can be serviced as one shire if the management is at a high level. Any suggestion of demerger or extra councillors just add to the costs of operating the shire.”
The group’s approach, if elected, would be to assess the financial position of the shire and then decide what can be achieved with the funds available, giving priority to the most urgent in the short term.
“The need to maintain failing assets before they deteriorate further needs to be taken into account as doing nothing short term may become very expensive later,” Mr Nixon said.
“The principles we are standing on are a united council with equal and equitable representation, responsible financial and asset management with adherence to legal and legislative requirements.
“We offer open and transparent governance with a positive attitude towards rate payers and staff and a freeze on councillors’ renumeration increases for a minimum of three years.”