Why are you standing for council and what do you hope to achieve?

(Answers restricted to maximum 120 words)

John Harvey

I have lived in Indigo Shire for more than three decades. During that time I have been a small business owner, involved in community and tourism events, and volunteered on committees. I have grown to love this place, feel part of it, and to value those things that make our part of the world so special, such as our rural lifestyle, priceless heritage, scenic beauty, and our sense of community. If I am elected I will work to protect and preserve what makes our shire a great place to live and to make it an even better place.

Bernard Gaffney

I have a positive approach that Indigo Shire should be the best it can possibly be. We need to be a stable council which is sustainable both environmentally and financially. I am a team player who represents the Indigo community as a whole.

Scott Landells

I am passionate about:

● embracing inclusion and diversity;

● protecting and respecting our natural environment and native fauna;

● investment in the Arts;

● planning and understanding potential Climate Change impacts;

● celebrating our exceptional young people;

● building accessible pedestrian path networks;

● the welfare of our frail-aged residents; and

● creating thriving, resilient and sustainable visitor economies and communities across Indigo Shire.

Through a combination of my community roles, I have worked closely with many shire communities. This has afforded me insight into the unique characteristics of our heritage villages down to our farming hamlets. I am keen to deepen my understanding of our communities and our people as we build an exciting future together.

Roberta Horne

I wish to continue my efforts to have local voices amplified and the depth of local knowledge and sense of place across all sectors recognised and captured in decision making processes. I believe I have a role to play here because council is the nearest level of government to the people and meaningful communications are essential to good governance. The most important service we, as councillors, can provide to the community is to listen to what they are saying and articulate the unique requirements of those living within a regional setting to other city-based levels of government. This is my aim.

Greg Bourke

I’m honoured to have been asked by the Kiewa–Tangambalanga community to stand for election after Peter Croucher's retirement. Peter's service and advocacy for South East Indigo and the wider shire are inspiring. I want to build on his work and support our community by addressing key local issues and driving positive change.

As the community’s representative, I’ll ensure concerns and ideas are heard at council meetings. I’m eager to connect with all groups in our community and actively listen to what matters most to you.

My hope is to create a community where every voice is heard, local businesses thrive, and sustainability guides our actions—supporting local jobs, preserving heritage, improving services, and protecting our environment for future generations.

Emmerick Teissl

Being a councillor for the Indigo Shire Council is a privilege that offers the chance to connect with the community and relay their concerns to local authorities, concerns that are vital for the welfare of our localities. My candidacy for council is driven by a commitment to ensure that the often unheard or marginalized voices within our shire gain the attention they deserve. I am dedicated to advocating for and providing a fair representation to ensure that each community and township, dependent on the dedication and effort of its volunteers, gets the necessary support and representation for a more prosperous, robust, and sustainable future.

Diane Shepheard

I am a current councillor and I want to continue my involvement in:

• Creating a new four-year council plan that incorporates the community engagement we have already done whilst capturing new priorities and ideas

• Implementing the new Tree and Toilet Strategies

• Consolidating and improving planning processes

• Developing the Chiltern Land Plan

• Finishing the Rutherglen Wine Loop, starting the Silo Project

• Mitigating and adapting to a changing climate

• Working with businesses to create a new Economic Development Strategy

• Establishing a new Tourism Strategy with the tourism sector

• Working with the cultural heritage community around the National Heritage listing of the Beechworth Precinct and the UNESCO gold bid.

As a community representative I will prioritise that community is consulted and informed.

Graham Parton

I believe the current council has done an excellent job, and that I can continue the good work already done. I hope to have a role in creating a harmonious community that encourages civic participation and that feels safe. I hope to continue the existing community consultation processes that seek to understand what the community wants, and then delivers this. I would encourage informed debate about the issues that divide us in the hope that all the members of our diverse community feel that they have been listened to.

Jane Dowsley

I'm standing for council because I believe in the power of community and the importance of effective governance. Engaging with various local groups and initiatives, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities we face. My goal is to ensure that residents are heard and that our diverse community interests are represented.

I hope to achieve greater accountability in our local government, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and that strategic plans translate into meaningful actions. I want to foster collaboration among community members and stakeholders, driving projects that enhance our communities, support local businesses, and protect our environment. Ultimately, I hope to influence a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Indigo where everyone, residents and businesses, can thrive.

Lisa Turner

As a passionate member of the Rutherglen community and in turn the Indigo Shire, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that have shaped our shire. I'm committed to bringing a fresh perspective, a strong sense of purpose, respect and an unwavering commitment to serving all community members. My vision is one of sustainable growth, environmental stewardship and a strong sense of community well-being. I believe there has been a rapid decline in consultation and communication with residents in the past and I wish to flip this attitude on its head to reflect a more open, transparent, collaborative and consultative council, empowering residents to feel more connected, supported and confident by their council who are actively shaping their future.

Sophie Price

I’ve been a councillor for the last eight years and mayor for the last two, and in that time I’ve worked to have community sentiment better reflected in the council chamber. I think that we have done some good work to set up important strategy work that puts us in a good position to apply for grant funding. My hope is to consolidate all of that work and have clear priorities from community embedded into the council plan. I love living in these communities, and I want them to be great places for your families to live as well.