ACCORDING to one Kara Kara Ward by-election nominee, St Arnaud has all the pieces to grow, it just needs a little bit more investment and government support.
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Video producer and communications professional Timmy Heydon said he wants to join the Northern Grampians Shire Council to help develop the attractiveness of the Kara Kara region to tourists from across the country.
Hr Heydon, who has spent much of his career working in video production, including with ABC Landline and WIN News regional, said he wants to join the council to help grow St Arnaud and expands its capacity for tourists.
"My communications skills and experience is what makes me believe I can do something useful," he said.
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"St Arnaud feels it is a bit tacked on and we feel it is time to develop that northern part of the region, especially for tourism.
"I think the people of Kara Kara have never really seen themselves as a tourist area and suddenly they are realising what impact tourism can have.
"St Arnaud is very much a farming support town, we have seven or eight quite large regional businesses and we are strong in that area.
"For example, our IGA is massive, almost as big as Coles and on a long weekend you can hardly get a car park as people call in on their way along the Sunraysia Highway, but they don't stay.
"I want us to take advantage of this COVID situation, it's about putting it (St Arnuad) back on the map within Northern Grampians as well as, more broadly, across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia."
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Mr Heydon also said his communication skills will be a key to his ability to work on the council.
"I think it is important to meet people where they are at and find out from actual people and talk to people about issues," he said.
"The council have helped and done a lot, but we need to communicate that and let people know that St Arnaud is changing and it is worth stopping and we have to make sure there is somewhere for them to go."
Mr Heydon also identified improving roads, developing a recycling program and national park management as areas he would like to see improved.
Eligible voters will receive ballot packs in the mail from Tuesday, February 2, with voting closing at 6pm on Friday, February 19.
For more information about the by-election visit vec.vic.gov.au.
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