When Linda Fawns stood for Edward River Council election in 2021, her platform was that she wanted to “make a difference”.
With the support of the community at that election, Mrs Fawns got her chance to serve the community in a greater capacity than she ever had before.
In her first term, Mrs Fawns said she was proud to be involved in a number of projects which did improve the community.
But as it was a shorter term than normal - with the 2020 election delayed to December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic - Mrs Fawns feels like she could do more.
That’s why she has chosen to stand again, with the hope of returning to council and seeing through a number of other great projects that have been started but are yet to be completed.
“The most significant objective of the new council will be the appointment of a permanent CEO/general manager,” Mrs Fawns said.
“Some of the other key objectives I would prioritise for the upcoming term include finalising the Growth Strategy, to outline clear and attainable goals for the next four years.
“Another is developing comprehensive master plans for assets and facilities currently lacking such plans, and integrating them with the growth strategy.
“Facilitating the sale of the remaining homes in stage one of the Edward River Village and initiating plans for stage two is also important, as well as exploration of other affordable housing solutions and development.
“I think council needs to activate the Agribusiness Master Plan, particularly in light of ongoing and future rounds of buybacks affecting our community, and we need to enhance waste management practices in our villages and rural areas, building upon the successful implementation of the three-bin system.
“Another key priority is continuing the implementation of the recommendations from the financial sustainability review.”
Mrs Fawns lists the development of the Growth Strategy, the financial sustainability review, the introduction of the three-bin system and the progress of the Edward River Village among the highlights of her first term on Edward River Council.
Others are the completion of the Town Hall and estates building restorations, the Deniliquin Airport runway upgrades, the new Deniliquin skate park and north Deniliquin rest stop facilities, renovations to the Edward River Library and Peppin Heritage Centre, and ongoing flood recovery efforts.
“Despite the challenges faced by our councillor group, we have accomplished a substantial amount in our brief term of two years and nine months,” she said.
“I have valued my time representing the community on the Edward River Council, a role that has challenged me many times, but deepened my understanding of local government affairs.
“This experience has significantly increased my appreciation for the important role of the council and its governance as the closest form of government to our community.”
As well as offering her local government experience to what will be a new-look Edward River Council, Mrs Fawns would also bring a background in finance, agriculture and varied advocacy experience to the council table.
And in this term of council, she hopes to see more effective communication and collaboration with the community.
“Face-to-face engagement with the community cannot be limited to once-a-year budget roadshows,” she said.
“If elected, I will work to establish regular forums where residents can interact with councillors and the executive team, share ideas, and raise concerns.”