Is the doctor in?: Mark Harris seeks another term

FORMER mayor and veteran councillor Mark Harris has put his name on the ballot in the hopes of once again securing a Central Ward seat at October’s local elections.

Having previously served several terms as a City of Ballarat councillor Cr Harris said he still has more to contribute.

“I’m not an expert in much but I’d be fairly close to being an expert on Ballarat,” he said. “I have something to offer and I see clearly enough the vision that I want for the town.

“I still have work to do there and I look forward to having a council that could perhaps understand that vision and share it.”

In his role as the director of St John of God’s emergency department and throughout his work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Alfred Hospital, Cr Harris is well versed in working with and for the public.

“I see people every day because that’s the nature of my job,” he said. “I don’t feel removed the community in this sort of job, you’re very much a part of it.”

For Central Ward specifically, Cr Harris said his top priority is making sure residential and commercial development is done in a way that best supports residents.

“No one wants increased density but it’s still a better outcome if we can do it and do it right,” he said.

“I’m all about development with increased density further in around Sturt Street and then rapidly fading.

“Casting a balance between residents understanding the character of their neighbourhood and preserving that, yet allowing increased density where it’s appropriate.”

Having been both in the medical field and on the council over the last year, Cr Harris became familiar with the challenges both in the health and the economic areas.

Not only is he committed to combatting the spread of COVID, he said he is also passionate about alleviating some of the economic pressures currently faced by residents.

“The post COVID environment should be focused on keeping core services going, looking for efficiency gains within the council itself and absolutely not increasing rates,” he said.

“It’s going to be really tough for the new council, the reality of a vaccine, how that works as a dynamic and then getting the economy right is everything for the new council.

“People are hurting and as the JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments come off, people are going to hurt even more so we need to keep our rates and charges low.”

For the future of the city, Cr Harris said he has a clear vision for what there is left to be done particularly in Central Ward.

“I truly care and if people are on board, I’m keen and passionate to represent them,” he said.