Council
11 September, 2024
Jo set to nominate for Tandarook Ward
CORANGAMITE Shire Councillor Jo Beard has announced her intention to nominate for the Tandarook Ward at the upcoming election.
She said having represented her local community for more than 13 years at the council table, her passion for the community was “unwavering”.
“I am genuinely so proud to lead the community I have grown up in, and the broader residents of the Corangamite Shire,” Cr Beard said.
“It’s definitely safe to say that I enjoy the level of local government and helping plan and achieve the aspirations of my community.
“I have always worked hard with empathy, listened, been honest, dedicated, and ambitious to get the best outcomes wherever possible.
“I have never taken for granted that opportunity and now more than ever, I am committed to continuing doing the absolute best I can, as best I know how.”
Cr Beard believes her “vast experience and many positive relationships”, in all levels of government and the private sector will be beneficial to the community.
“I’ve never played political games, or taken sides, which is something I am very mindful of, and I know is regarded,” she said.
“If not as ‘A political’ as I am, it can be unproductive and potentially alienate people as opposed to achieving more positive outcomes.
“Lived experience enables a greater appreciation for what really matters and what is needed within a community.
“Being a mother of two active young men, along with living with a permanent disability, being involved with multiple volunteer groups and boards – locally, regionally and nationally – really does enlighten me to what it means to represent the whole community.
“I value every opportunity and how it enables me to be a better representative because of it.”
Recent projects Cr Beard has been involved in include teaming up with Victoria Police to establish the Cobden Safety Team, along with other local respected community leaders and first responders to help discuss, plan and create a safer Cobden and district.
“Acquiring land to develop a co-located modernised SES and Ambulance Victoria building, has been a project I initiated and have been working on with relevant agency representatives and the potential land owner,” she said.
“It is gaining significant momentum and it is a priority of mine to achieve.
“Our local volunteers and members deserve this.”
Cr Beard said another significant priority is the lack of childcare within Cobden which she believes is a “major barrier to attracting new residents as well as retaining current ones”.
“An important amount of strategic work has been getting done, just like the Cobden Structure Plan I lead, to inform the business case and applications to attract the appropriate government funding to build such a facility,” she said.
“We are getting closer, and I’m committed to seeing this through.
“I genuinely have confidence getting new housing development happening within the town, as bringing in new community members, will create new opportunities for our main street business precinct.
“That is why I was so determined and committed to getting an updated structure plan achieved for Cobden. Now we make the most of it.”
Cr Beard said she was also committed to ensuring the local farmers had a strong voice and advocacy at the council table.
“I have never forgotten that agriculture is our number one industry,” she said.
“I want to continue to do all I can to protect and support that industry that supports us.”