General News
21 July, 2024
Weaver will stand in Boort Ward
FIFTH generation Boort farmer David Weaver will contest October’s Loddon Shire election with a focus on community and infrastruture. The North Central Catchment Management Authority board member this week announced he would stand in Boort Ward...
FIFTH generation Boort farmer David Weaver will contest October’s Loddon Shire election with a focus on community and infrastruture.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority board member this week announced he would stand in Boort Ward.
Sitting councillor and former mayor Neil Beattie will retire from council after representing the Boort district since 2005.
“Our road infrastructure is under greater pressure with the volume of grain being carted not only on our local roads but across the state,” the livestock, cropping and irrigation farmer said.
“People have been approaching me in recent months about the challenges of road maintenance and also drainage, the same people who have encouraged me to nominate to be the next Boort Ward representative in Loddon Shire.
“Boort and all our towns have always had a make-it-happen attitude and if elected, I would like to be part of the team that puts a focus on local projects and boosting our future.”
Mr Weaver said the COVID years had proven that professional people could work remotely.
“That change makes the Boort district an attractive location for young families to live ... and that can only help the community, the school, the sporting clubs,” he said.
Mr Weaver said agriculture was at the heart of the Boort Wards economy. “We are a very strong agricultural area ... it’s our most valuable and dominant sector. But the best crop the district can grow is the next generation”.
“Boort was a fantastic place for me to grow up in, raise a family and now see grandchildren being part of the community.” he said.
The grandson of a former Gordon Shire councillor, Mr Weaver has been on the committee of numerous groups including Boort Football Club, Boort Park, the clay target club and primary school council. He played football with Boort and cricket with Durham Ox and Boort Yando and has previously coached junior football and cricket.
“I have always had a love for our district and I guess there has been a thought in the back of the mind that I would like to contribute more one day as a councillor,” he said. “Approaches from a number of people convinced me to stand this election.”
Nominations for the five Loddon Shire wards open early September with postal voting in October. Cr Dan Straub (Terrick) and Cr Linda Jungwirth (Tarnagulla) have said they will recontest their wards. No candidates have emerged in Inglewood and Wedderburn Wards.