Di Bell has stepped aside as Horsham Rural Ratepayers and Residents president, to run for the Horsham council at October's 2020 Local Government Elections.
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She has been replaced by Jung resident Terry O'Donnell, and is running on a platform of completing "core projects".
"We need to be looking at things that have been sitting on the shelf for too long," she said.
"A second (Wimmera) River crossing for vehicles to service the needs of our industries. The railway yards - the biggest eyesore in Horsham - presents a great opportunity for Horsham to break the division with Horsham North.
"There has been a plan for years for Horsham North, so when will that progress? We have Community Plans for Haven, Jung, Horsham North, Mitre, Natimuk, Dadswells Bridge and Laharum-Wartook. Are we actioning these plans?
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"We definitely need an indoor/outdoor sports hub in the west (of Horsham). I feel like we've gone backwards: We've got more plans, and we had that many plans put us last year we have engagement fatigue."
Mrs Bell said her core values as a councillor would be honesty, open conversations and respect at all levels, including between councillors in the chamber.
"It begins with the community: Don't bring in outside consultants to create a plan for what they think we need, find out what the community values and begin there," she said.
"Through the City to River masterplan I witnessed firsthand what happens when the community is not part of the journey from the beginning. If we have a process that works for the community from the beginning we can prevent that angst."
Mrs Bell said she believed she had not been overly critical of the council during her time as ratepayers group president, which formed in July 2019. She said she had tried to make the organisation accountable and transparent.
"I want to make sure there is active debate within the chamber. There shouldn't just be motions made with recommendations from the staff that the council just passes," she said.
Born and raised in Minimay, Mrs Bell also ran for the council in 2016. She is chairwoman of the Horsham Kannamaroo festival and co-manages main street retail store Exsquisit with Shana Miatke.
The other Horsham council candidates announced so far:
Mr O'Donnell runs a herb nursery and market garden in Jung.
He said the ratepayers group's immediate focus would be advocating that only "urgent business" take place at the council's last-minute meeting on September 21.
"We are hoping we can talk to people and get them to be a bit more proactive in their thinking in who they want as councillors," he said.
"We are worried there is too much apathy in the community at the moment."
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
