After a five-year stint on Wagga Council, Councillor Vanessa Keenan will leave it to the public to decide her fate this time around in her campaign.
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High on Cr Keenan's priority list of issues she would like to see addressed if re-elected as councillor, include a shortage in housing across Wagga.
Cr Keenan said housing shortages for Wagga are only going to worsen as the population continues to grow- which she said is anticipated.
"I also put climate front and centre for Wagga and for the community-it's clear that's really important for the people of Wagga," Cr Keenan said.
Cr Keenan is third on the Labor ticket led by Daniel Hayes for the NSW Local Government Elections- a move that was made with purpose.
"Well, it, [the number three position] was on purpose," Cr Keenan confirmed.
"It's not out of the realm of possibility that I will get re-elected, but it's not likely."
Cr Keenan, at 43-years-old with just short of 20-years of experience in cultural and strategic planning, has a wealth of knowledge and experience behind her, but she will step away from the role of councillor gracefully to focus on family commitments if so be it.
"I'll leave it up to the public to decide," she said.
"When reflecting on what I have achieved over the last five years, I'm really proud of it.
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"I've been able to create a number of initiatives that wouldn't have otherwise happened- the establishment of Outback Lifesavers, which is a first. It's a river safety program for our local kids, it's been rolled out right across regional NSW.
"Something like that is going to save lives- that's pretty amazing and to have been able to push for that to happen is something I'm really proud of.
"Then there's the little things that contribute to the day-to-day livability like the marked parking bays in Wagga's CBD.
"Even things in terms of supporting initiatives- like supporting the NRL coming to Wagga. It's being able to support those kinds of things."
Cr Keenan said people can base their assumptions of her values on the fact that she's a labor representative- and she isn't shy when it comes to declaring it, regardless of criticism.
"There's a number of people that have political allegiance or political aspirations who don't declare it- I think it's important to be transparent," she said.
"Independent is just another label- it doesn't necessarily mean that someone has the skills and capacity needed for the role of councillor, but, at the end of the day, it's the decision of the people of Wagga.
"Wagga chose to vote in two labor councillors. I think the people of Wagga don't have a problem with party politics on council.
"I think what's happened is people have seen how effective Dan and I have been in turning up and rolling our sleeves up for the community- and that's a threat."
And when it comes to developers on council, Cr Keenan's values are the same as any labor representative.
"I'm not supportive of it," she said.
"The government allows it at the moment but if they were looking to change it then I think it's important to look at that as something to consider."
In the lead up to this year's election, The Daily Advertiser has profiled the candidates looking to secure a spot on Wagga City Council.
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