Brad Christensen said he is ‘seriously thinking’ about standing for the mayor’s position of the newly elected MidCoast Council.
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The first mayor of MidCoast Council will be elected at the first meeting on Wednesday September 27 after the new council is sworn in.
Mr Christensen, 48, is a former councillor on Greater Taree City council. He served the one term before the forced merger of Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester councils.
He is currently working, but said if elected mayor he would almost certainly take on the position fulltime. He was buoyed by the support he received in the election and believes this shows there’s a groundswell for support for him to stand for mayor.
He believes roads and bridges remain the biggest issue for the new council, as was the case with the former Greater Taree City Council.
“Everyone talks about roads and bridges,’’ he said
“I think our main priority is getting everyone working together. We’re not three different areas anymore, we’re one council,’’ he said.
“But obviously road and bridges are a major issue. I don’t think we’re going to be able to attract business to this area unless with fix up our roads.’’
He believes he has the necessary experience to take on the top job. However, Mr Christensen added the deputy mayor is going to take what he described as a ‘huge role.’
Mr Christensen said despite the massive area the new council covers, he is confident of being able to keep abreast with all the main issues from throughout the region.
“I was down at Tea Gardens the other day and saw the huge issues they have there with erosion,’’ he said.
“I tried to get around to speak to people and see for myself first hand the issues in the former council. I want to continue to do that with the new council. I’m confident I’ll be able to do that, even though it is a big area. I know it’s possible to keep abreast with computers and Ipads, but I prefer to be more hands on wherever possible.’’
Mr Christensen was born at Cundletown. He is married with three adult children and he is now a grandfather.
He is looking forward to the challenges the new council will provide.
Mr Christensen said he is ‘passionate about making change.’ However, he now realises that the machinations of council means that making change mean that sometimes change doesn’t happen as quickly as he’d like. This is the reason when it’s important to be a team player, he added.