General News
9 October, 2020
Nicholas Cole runs for North Ward
SIXTH generation farmer Nicholas Cole has put his hand up as a North Ward candidate in this month’s Corangamite Shire Council elections.
SIXTH generation farmer Nicholas Cole has put his hand up as a North Ward candidate in this month’s Corangamite Shire Council elections.
His family have had a sheep farm at North Bookaar for 180 years.
Mr Cole said there were a number of things which prompted his decision to stand for council.
“There are no farmers on the council, I want to have the agricultural voice heard,” he said.
“We’ve had councils where there has been only one agricultural representative.”
Mr Cole said he was concerned about “disproportionate” amounts of rates being spent in different wards, particularly given how much farming properties contribute to council’s coffers.
“It seems to me, and a few others, there seems to be a disproportionate amount of our rates being spent further south,” he said.
Road maintenance was another issue Mr Cole hoped to tackle if elected.
“We’ve got all these big trucks coming through and the roads aren’t up to it,” he said.
“We need the access and basic infrastructure in place.
“Farming has changed and the infrastructure hasn’t kept up.”
Mr Cole, who has a long-term association with the area, said he had received positive feedback since announcing he was running in the North Ward election.
