CHARTERED accountant and tax agent, Kevin O’Dea said he’s ready to listen to the concerns of the Mallee Ward and residents of the shire, if elected in next month’s by-election.
The Charlton resident has lived in the shire for the past 10 years and is experienced when it comes to local government.
He’s attended every Buloke Shire council meeting in the last 12 months and was a former councillor with the City of Moorabbin.
Employment, tourism, housing, health, transport and climate change are some of the key issues he would like to address if elected.
The development of the “huge tourism potential” within the Mallee Ward is something he considers to be an asset to the region, creating various employment opportunities for young people, while attracting incentives to entice newcomers to the region.
He would like to assist with the vision of creating the Boorung Planetarium, cultural heritage precinct and research facility within Sea Lake.
“Traditional owners and the descendants of the Boorung clan of Lake Tyrrell foresee that setting up a similar precinct, available to all, would bring substantial financial benefits,” Mr O’Dea said, noting it would also provide employment and an opportunity to showcase Indigenous heritage.
Mr O’Dea said the rental crisis and affordable housing was also an issue which needed to be addressed.
He said he’d also like to see upgrades to Sea Lake hospital and former Carinya nursing home, as well as “urgent additional residential accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health professionals”.
He would also welcome upgrades to the region’s transport network, including an upgrade of the Sea Lake airstrip to further bolster tourism opportunities within the shire, with the potential to also introduce heritage train tours.
Sustainability and climate change are also issues close to his heart.
His vision for the municipality is to “efficiently use all of the assets and resources available to the Buloke municipality for the maximum benefit of all residents, regardless of their age, background, gender or religion”.
Below are what other candidates have to say
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/hogan-a-voice-for-farmers
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/delaney-up-for-the-challenge
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/can-do-kershaw
https://www.theguardian.com.au/politics/muscat-keen-to-make-a-difference
