DEEPWATER businessmen Brett Bishop will focus on efficiency if he is elected to council on September 10.
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Mr Bishop is active in the local community and has been the President of the Deepwater Progress association since 2013 and is also on the Tent Hill public Hall Trust.
Bishop runs a business in Deepwater and said the same efficiencies he looks for in his business should be applied to council.
“I am seeking election on September 10 because I believe that I can be a positive hard working representative for residents and ratepayers of the area,” he said.
“I look for efficiency within my business and have common sense with real world experience and I think this is how decisions should be made on council.
“After relocating my business and life here a few years ago I would like to see others doing the same to increase the population and demographic mix of our shire, more business , more families , more ’tree changers’ equals more jobs for locals and income to council thus better services for residents.”
Mr Bishop said Glen Innes has a beautiful natural environment and should be able to attract business to the local government area.
“We have a top location and great potential for both business and lifestyle opportunities if we can get the message out there,” he said.
“Local Government is at the sharp end of essential service delivery for residents, roads, bridges, rubbish, drains, water, waste, community services, those things are not sexy but has a large impact on our everyday lives.”
Mr Bishop believes the roll of a councillor is not one to be taken lightly.
“Decisions made directly affect the lives of ratepayers, residents and the viability of the shire into the future,” he said.
“We want to keep GISC strong and as a stand-alone council through responsible use of the shires resources and income, amalgamation is always on the cards if we fail.
“I would like to see better communication and understanding between ratepayers and council bureaucracy.”
Mr Bishop said councillors should be consulting with locals before decisions are made.
“Council and councillors have a responsibility to keep their community informed and engaged, better education and consultation leads to better outcomes,”he said.
“I will assess issues and proposals before council on their merits , I am not afraid to stand up for ratepayers interests , I will not be just a rubber stamp, however I believe reason and negotiation are better tools for positive outcomes than an adversarial approach.”