Wagga councillor Kerry Pascoe mounts bid for fourth stint

The construction company owner and former mayor, who was the only lead candidate to attract enough votes in 2012 to get a running mate elected, has compiled a group ticket for next month’s election.

Councillor Pascoe has “hand-picked” Wagga Business Chamber general manager Michelle Bray, Wagga Scrap Metals manager and former crime scene detective Belinda Coleman, 29-year-old owner of one of Wagga’s largest painting companies Tim Sheather and Thomas Bros Toyota sales manager Steven Wait. 

The political veteran said the ticket’s primary focuses were supporting local growth, a review of council’s development strategy known as the Local Environmental Plan (LEP), fiscal restraint to ensure council remains fit for the future, and building the Wagga levee bank.

Incumbent councillors had promised to review substantial sections of the key planning documents by 2015, but a recently launched review is not expected until early 2018.

“The LEP review is the most important thing on the next council’s agena, it plans the growth of the city,” Cr Pascoe said.

“Wagga’s growing at approximately 2 per cent every year and we need to grow our footprint to cater for future growth.

“I’ve selected a team on merit, who have a high level of business acumen and who are in touch with our local economy and the factors that influence our city’s growth.”

Councillor Pascoe conceded the reduction in councillors from 11 to nine would make this election more competitive than four years ago, but said his running mates deserved a chance to represent ratepayers.

“Our candidates have a balance of youth and experience, and a common-sense approach.”