ATTRACTING more tourists and new industry to the district will be high on the agenda if Gannawarra Shire Council mayor, Cr Lorraine Learmonth is re-elected as a councillor in October.
Cr Learmonth was first elected as a councillor in 2012 and last November became just the second woman to be elected Gannawarra mayor in its 20-year history.
She has confirmed she will re-contest the Yarran Ward, which covers Cohuna and Leitchville, at the October 22 local government elections.
The former dairy farmer and Cohuna Neighbourhood House co-ordinator said she would like to see child-care in Cohuna and more tourism development in the Gunbower Forest and Kerang Lakes.
“I think that council is supportive of child-care and definitely in areas of tourism, especially since the downturn of the dairy industry,” Cr Learmonth said.
“I could only return to work during one of the dairy industry downturns once the kids were older. If we have child-care, mothers on farms can return to some form of part-time or full-time work,” the mother-of-three said.
Cr Learmonth said she has received positive feedback on tourism numbers in the district.
“From recent tourism statistics I have seen, numbers are up and they aren’t just visiting Cohuna. They might stay here overnight, but do two or three-day trips visiting the area.”
The only female on the seven-member council, has been a vocal advocate for more women to join council. Gannawarra is one of 10 municipalities in the State with only one female councillor.
“If you are connected to your community then that will help. We need local content, younger age groups and an understanding of the demographics that we represent in Gannawarra – both youth and the aged,” she said.
Cr Learmonth said candidates need be good listeners, sound negotiators, competent consultants and work within a team environment to make important decisions on behalf of ratepayers.
“More than that, being on council gives you a sense of personal growth in leadership and people skills. You are sometimes put in an uncomfortable position that you have to work your way through, but all for the better.”
“Until you are in the role, out and about across all the shire, you don’t appreciate what we have to offer.”
Cr Learmonth feared council wasn’t selling Gannawarra’s proud achievements as much as she hoped and is mindful of rates capping.
“It is going be a challenge to ensure we maintain all our services going forward, but we are in a good financial position with sensible, modest spending and saving,” she said.
“We will need to attract business, industry and manufacturing to the area and get something into the empty Murray Goulburn factory in Leitchville, but we can’t promise what we can’t deliver.”
Cr Learmonth said training is provided on council meeting procedures, networking and dealing with the media through the Municipal Association of Victoria.
