Samantha McIntosh targeting fourth term

AFTER twelve years on Ballarat council, Central Ward representative Cr Samantha McIntosh says she still has “unfinished business.”

The three-term political veteran and three-time mayor said creating a better future for the city as one of the key reasons behind her next tilt at taking a seat in the town hall chamber.

“It’s very important for me, even more so than before, to think deeply about what the future is for my grandchildren and the people of Ballarat and their grandchildren,” she said.

“We had the most amazing forefathers that planned a spectacular Ballarat in the gold rush, and we’re still reaping the benefits of that today.

“It’s important now that we think about what our future is.”

As for what that future might be, Cr McIntosh looking towards major connectivity projects to continue to make her mark on the city.

“Many of the projects are staged projects, somethings you can’t deliver all at once and we need to break things down into bitesize chunks,” Cr McIntosh said.

“Link Road is a significant one, it has the ability and capacity to link our broader regions to make sure we have the ability to deliver that food and fibre post-COVID at a time we need to further develop business opportunities.

“We need to talk about road, rail and air and those projects are influenced by Link Road.”

It’s not just big picture issues on Cr McIntosh’s agenda, she’s also pushed hard on protecting the city’s heritage value.

That’s come through in her strong advocacy on projects in and around the Botanical Gardens, something she says is interconnected wider issues across the city.

“All of our projects really interlink,” she said. “Whether they be things like the Fernery, the Gate Keeper’s Cottage, the lake and sounds, the CBD, movement through Bridge Street and our main Sturt Street boulevard. They are all very important and equally as important as those major projects.”

Just under a year ago, Cr McIntosh’s three-year term as mayor came to an end as a pan-political collation moved to unseat her from the dais.

Despite being turfed from the mayor’s chair in a highly visual bunfight she’s publicly unwilling to criticise the action.

Instead she chooses to focus on the positive elements of being mayor, although she does have a message for those who work with political motives behind the scenes.

“We’ve achieved some enormous projects and goals and there’s still some projects we’re working on,” Cr McIntosh said. “I understand many people would like to stand at the forefront of those conversations and competition brings all sorts out in individuals.

“I have heard over time niggles and swipes in the background. The important thing for me is to stand above that.

“Imagine if those people put that effort from behind the scenes into doing great work.”

Does she want to be mayor again? Possibly.

“My goal at the moment is to stand and seek election again,” she said. “Then it’s really about the nine councillors that are there to make that decision.

“It’s a position I’ve been very proud of in the past, and one that I will consider if I am elected.”

Cr McIntosh is somewhat of a political journey woman. In the mid-2000 she stood as a National for the Victorian Legislative Council and then in 2007 as the Liberal Party candidate for the Federal seat of Ballarat.

While she’s still currently a member of the Liberals, she said she’s not endorsed for the municipal election or receiving any funding from the party.

She also took a swipe at the growing trend of political party backing for local government candidates.

“Whether we’re looking at filling a pothole, if we’re Liberal, Labor, Green or independent, it should not make a difference,” she said.