1 Candidate details
Name: Ross M Pickering
Council: Ballina Shire Council
Town/city: Ballina NSW 2478
Number of years in shire/LGA: 37 years over all, the last 12 years permanently.
Current councillor? NO
Clubs/sports/interests: Cherry St sports club; I am retired and enjoy fishing
Are you a member of a political party or an organised ‘ticket’? NO.
Brief description: I am a retired businessman/engineer who has been self-employed for the most part of my life. I was the past president of the Grawin Glengarry Sheepyard Miners Association, and a foundation member of the Lightning Ridge Mining Board
2 What has motivated you to stand?
A desire to see a more transparent council, who actually does what the majority of people want it to do and not make decisions behind closed doors, and then impose them on the community, as has been the norm in the past.
3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?
My vision is for a more representative council, who will consult with its constituents about future planning, and take advice from them. I wish to see the revitalisation of River Street shops, better parking facilities, and an early commencement of road resurfacing.
4 In your opinion, how can council best balance the need for further residential development with the need to preserve the local environment?
Here again, it is my belief that it falls within the purview of the people to advise council on future developments, and of course I firmly believe that all parks and public recreation areas must be declared sacrosanct, and never used for any other purposes than for those initially planned (sporting activities, etc).
5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?
I feel strongly about the mismanagement of council funds, as a large proportion of council’s working capital is tied up by council’s Commercial Property Unit in properties that are not generating any funds. These moneys would be far better used to leverage grants from state government to fund infrastructure, which in Ballina has been sadly neglected. I do not advocate a property ‘fire sale’ but these operations must be wound down to a more manageable level.
