A "natural compassion" for people and the ability to listen are core traits that Warren Murray wants to inject into Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
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The 70-year-old is putting up his hand as the number four on Labor's five-member ticket for the December 4 poll.
'Happenstance' brought the now disability support worker to Goulburn from Sydney in 2007. His wife had broken her leg at Bungonia Gorge and the couple came to Goulburn Base Hospital for treatment.
"I fell in love with the city. It was so central to everything with just one traffic light between here and Sydney airport," he said.
"I saw Goulburn's potential and thought this was where I wanted to retire."
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Mr Murray is something of a jack of all trades. He's been a licensed plumber, gas fitter, real estate agent, and business owner. He currently employed as a disability support worker for Interchange Australia, a job he says he loves. Mr Murray also runs his own business, Management Services, advising companies on how to reduce their carbon emission footprint.
It's a background he's keen to bring to the council table, particularly regarding power usage. But he'd also like to see greater emphasis on recycling and a different approach to waste management.
"I don't think Goulburn residents should be charged gate fees at the tip," he said.
"Most houses are full of junk, like computers and e-waste that just get put in the red bin. The council should make it easier for people to deal with these items in a proper way to avoid toxic material going into the ground."
He argued this method made more economic sense than dealing with landfill costs. In the same vein, he does not agree with the state government's identification of the Tarago area as a waste to energy precinct and says the technology must not be the first choice in dealing with the problem.
The self described "lateral thinker" believed Goulburn Mulwaree could do better in catering for tree-changers and new residents generally.
"Missing footpaths" and too many cul-de-sacs at the growing Marys Mount were just some examples of inadequate infrastructure, he said.
"I also think we can do a better job with Goulburn's CBD and we need to make more provision for affordable and social housing in the area," Mr Murray told The Post.
On the development front, he said there had to be compromise rather than letting developers do what they wanted. At the same time, council regulations shouldn't "stagnate" growth.
The father and grandfather wants more activities for young people.
"I don't think there's enough here for them once they reach adolescence," he said.
"We also need to do more for them on the job and education front. Why can't we have a university campus here? The council can advocate fore this. TAFE has a big block of land so why not transfer part of that for a campus?"
Tourism is another of his passions. More attractions and events were needed to lure visitors for longer stays. He was not convinced Wakefield Park's development in its current location was the best move.
If elected, Mr Murray will push for greater transparency on the council. He argues there's no need for closed sessions and any sensitive information can be redacted. In addition, closed briefing sessions should also be opened to the public.
Labor is running a ticket for the first time in the Goulburn Mulwaree poll, sparking questions about independence.
But Mr Murray said local government was about communities and the party didn't have any firm policies in this regard.
"I would be independent, just like the others," he said.
"There will be times we're on the same page and others where we're not...We obviously want to see (branch president) Jason Shepherd elected but we'll wait and see what happens with the rest (on the ticket)."
Asked what qualities were necessary to be an effective councillor, Mr Murray said he was a good negotiator who, though holding firm views, was prepared to compromise.
"I'm a person who thinks everything is solvable," he said.
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