Bill Andrews has worked as a professional accountant for almost 50 years and he believes the Uralla Shire Council could use someone with his expertise.
Mr Andrews has lived in Uralla for 10 years but says in the past few years he has become increasingly dissatisfied with Council’s decisions.
“I believe that the best way to change things is to get involved,” Mr Andrews said.
“One of the things I have found in recent times is there is a bit of an us-and-them mentality.
“In some respects, the council is doing things that aren't in the best interest of residents.
“What I want to do is to try and encourage the residents to feel that that the council is representative of them.”
Through his business, Mr Andrews provides services to residents throughout the shire and although this would be his first time as a councillor, he already believes he has a solid knowledge of important Uralla issues.
“I make a point of driving to meet my clients at their homes around the shire,” he said.
“So I am familiar with most of the region.”
Mr Andrews wants to see Uralla as a major tourist attraction and have Council encourage travellers and residents to spend money in the town.
“I would like to see tourists make Uralla a base,” he said.
“Revenue coming in from the outside is always a good thing.
“We have wonderful scenery … we have good wineries, we've got good restaurants. I want people to shop locally and to think locally.”
He also said he was pleased with Council’s current position and hopes to help them continue to progress.
“I am very proud of the Uralla council … they have good cash reserves, their plant equipment is reasonably modern … and I think this is one of the reasons why Uralla was seen as a bit of a grab box for some of the other councils during the amalgamation issue,” he said.
Light industry is something Mr Andrews believes Uralla should develop, but he says Council should be careful not to create an eyesore for tourists entering the town.
He also said Council needed to look at its policy on signage.
“For businesses, signage is absolutely critical,” he said.
“And to have the council slow up the process and even sometimes prevent it is crazy.
“Signage is there for a reason and the it should almost be a 24-hour approval process. Having to put a DA in to have signage is crazy.”
Mr Andrews said if he was elected to on Saturday, he would provide a link between Council and the community.
“I would like people to say ‘Bill, we’ve got a problem’, and I bring their problems before Council,” he said.
