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ON THE fringes of society are a group of people that can live largely forgotten in local government.
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Now, Council candidate Martha Saw would like to see the disadvantaged dragged into the light.
“In my private life I have a passion for people with a disability, for disadvantaged youth, families in crisis,” Ms Saw said.
“I’m particularly very fond of some elderly people in town who I support with company, or help to use a computer.
“Across all of that is inclusiveness, I don’t just want to include those people at a disadvantage, but all of the people who live in the council area.”
Seeing the Community Strategic Plan implemented is one of the candidate's goals, along with establishing a strong agri-tourism industry.
Agriculture businesses in the region could be targeted and marketed as an attraction, Ms Saw said.
“It could be a farm, a mill, a processor, a feed lot,” she said.
“It’s that paddock to plate concept where producers can promote their products which then knocks on to other businesses.”
Accommodation, restaurants and transport hire are just some of the businesses Ms Saw believes would benefit from a thriving agri-tourism industry in Armidale and Guyra.
Tapping into those who are interested to see where their food comes from would economically benefit the whole region.
“If we can enhance that and engage tourism and producers to come together - that’s a really good opportunity for this region,” Ms Saw said.
“We’re competing with the rest of regional Australia for the same cohort, so we have to market why we’re such a fabulous region.”
Ms Saw has served on the Tourism Committee in Armidale, and has been involved in a number of business ventures throughout her life.
All of which she believes have given her skills that will translate well to serving on Council.
“I’m good at listening and balancing information, certainly there’s a strength of voice, but if an argument comes to me that changes my opinion and seems valid I’m not stuck in a rut,” she said.
“Governance is a strong skill of mine, along with physical management and a breadth of corporate skills.
“Given the areas in which I’ve worked I think there’s a good diversity of skills there.”