Having just completed my first term of council, I still believe I have the qualities necessary to carry out the role of Councillor. I have been farming now for 30 years and in that time, I have worn many hats. These include Real Estate, mining, property development and even a lawn mowing business. I have been a member of the local Community bank board for 10 years now. All these experiences have given me the tools I need to make valid inputs in the council.
Having started the expansion of the Ayr industrial estate in 2023, the next project I would like to see is some industrial land in or south of Home Hill opened up. There are some very successful businesses on the south side of the river and finding them somewhere to grow would be fantastic. Such land is hard to find but it would be fantastic.
I see the cost-of-living crisis impacting everyone at the moment. Trying to minimise any rate rises is something I have been pushing for and voted against in my term. CPI has impacted everyone and everything including Council operations. However, I believe we can help at a Council level and I will continue to push for this.
The first 100 days will see successful Councillors hit the ground running. It's budget time this time of year at Council and it is a lot of information to take in for anyone. I remember my first day four years ago thinking "you are a long way from the farm now mate!"