Leeton candidate calls on others to stand for council election to enhance democracy

A Leeton Shire Council candidate wants to make it tougher for himself to get elected by encouraging more people to stand against him at the upcoming local government polls.

Nicholas Wright, a 39-year-old TAFE services coordinator who grew up in Finley and moved to Leeton in 2017 after living in Sydney and Melbourne, is putting his hand up for the September elections and is inviting others to join him.

“If you care about the place you live and you believe in democracy, you should put your hand up,” he said.

“I really hope more people in Leeton put their hand up as I’m concerned we won’t have a proper election and we are currently running short on candidates, as far as I can see.

“There are nine current councillors, and five of them are not running again. There are three candidates, including myself, who would be new to council if we were to win … we need nine candidates running at least, and 10 if we are to have a genuine election.”

The Leeton Pride Collective co-founder is also on the board of the Leeton Connect Foundation, which seeks to build capacity of the not-for-profit sector. He is also a member of the Rotary club and has an extensive resume of volunteer work.

“Being so intimately involved with everything involved in town, which has given so much to me, I want to give back to Leeton,” he said.

”I’m emotionally invested in its success … the economy is doing well, young people want to say, that’s something I want to preserve. Leeton is a place I want to live in for the rest of my life.”

Nicholas is campaigning on a platform of enhancing the arts, saving the hospital, opposing water buybacks, making responsible budget decisions and building Leeton’s reputation as a friendly town.

“I’m passionate about the cultural life in town,” he said.

”A lot of effort goes into creating that, I want to make sure that continues.

”The Roxy Theatre is a building that everyone has an opinion on – the redevelopment of it is a once-in-a-generation project, and it’s worth the money. It has lasted 80 years; let’s make it last another 80 years.”

While Nicholas says Leeton is a successful town, he appreciates some people are struggling.

“When the cost of living goes up, that affects people everywhere,” he said.

“It was never normal in Australia for people to have multiple jobs, but I’m seeing it more and more, including young people who are supporting families.

“As an incoming councillor, if elected, I would look at minimising the necessity of special rate increases. We also need to look at spreading out the increases over a longer time. Households and business can’t cope with it.

“I’ve seen a few things we don’t need to do, such as rebuilding the stadium.”

Nicholas also wants to give people the opportunity to talk to him, both during the campaign and after the election, if he’s successful.

“I’ll look at three or more regular gatherings where people can meet me as a councillor. We need to make council more accessible to people.”