AFTER fourteen years as a City of Ballarat councillor, Samantha McIntosh is standing for State Parliament as the Liberal candidate for Wendouree.<\/p>\n
If elected, she said her aim will be to ensure the growing region has appropriate, well-planned infrastructure, quality roads, transport, health care, and schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to focus on air, rail, our bus networks, transfer for food and fibre; integrated transport systems that connect well, and are affordable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLocal businesses and residents in the Delacombe and Sebastopol areas have expressed their concerns to me about the chaos and road congestion as well as costly impacts on businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have outpoured grief…and highlighted the poorly scheduled road works and the need for a better style of leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms McIntosh has made election commitments to improve the accessibility of Ballarat Station, and respect its heritage, offer support to local businesses, minimise the impacts of municipal fees and charges, and lower the cost of living.<\/p>\n
The three-time mayor acknowledged there hasn\u2019t been a close voting margin for the seat in recent times, and a challenge has been set.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe commitments from government that our community really deserve have not been seen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor too long, we\u2019ve seen the regions miss out. If we\u2019ve got a much more competitive political space, there\u2019s more likelihood for us to receive great commitments,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSimply, there needs to be the choice, a voice, and our community have made that loud and clear. I do not shy away from difficult challenges and have proven, with resilience, that I will advocate for a better Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n
A former nurse, and long-time fundraiser for cancer research, Ms McIntosh said the bulk of her work has been for the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople know me… and they trust me. I\u2019m a voice, and their voice, I\u2019ll listen, I\u2019ll deliver, and take their questions to parliament,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Away from campaigning, Ms McIntosh enjoys time with her children and grandchildren, restoring heritage homes and gardens, heading out on her husband\u2019s motorbike, or for a run around Lake Wendouree.<\/p>\n
A lover and collector of art, she is also a former professional pianist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AFTER fourteen years as a City of Ballarat councillor, Samantha McIntosh is standing for State Parliament as the Liberal candidate for Wendouree. If elected, she said her aim will be to ensure the growing region has appropriate, well-planned infrastructure, quality roads, transport, health care, and schools. \u201cWe need to focus on air, rail, our bus […]<\/p>\n