Candidate calls for ‘fresh blood’

By Lachlan Ellis

An independent running for the seat of Eureka at the state election in November says this year is the time for change in State Parliament, to get our region what it needs.

Nicola Reid is originally from the UK, but moved to Australia almost 19 years ago to study accounting at Swinburne, and now lives in Maddingley with her 12-year-old son.

She is proud to not be a career politician, having worked across several fields from songwriting, owning a small business, airline cabin crew, and accounting, and currently assists students who are neurodiverse or have intellectual difficulties, as an Education Support Officer.

Ms Reid said putting her hand up as a candidate in the state election was “a natural progression” after being an active member in the Bacchus Marsh Community Coalition’s fight to stop PFAS-contaminated soil coming to Bacchus Marsh.

“I oversaw the group’s Twitter page, review of transcripts from Parliament, and I organised the protest at the steps of State Parliament. From there I ran for local council in 2020, and polled very well, despite not taking a position on Council. Since then, I have watched as our communities have been dealt more blows, including AusNet’s proposal for the overhead powerlines,” Ms Reid told the Moorabool News.

“That, coupled with lack of substantial funding coming our way, we are feeling more and more neglected and insignificant in the priorities of our current sitting members. In short, I suppose I became angry at the whole situation.”

If elected as the inaugural State Member for Eureka, Ms Reid says she has “a list as long as my arm” of projects she wants to advocate for, including upgrading the length of the Western Freeway with at least three lanes, an overhaul of public transport connectivity, reform to mental health and neuro health, undergrounding the Western Renewables Link, a new public high school in Darley, funding for the Bacchus Marsh Aquatic Centre, sewerage to be installed in Bungaree, Blackwood and Wallace, and a Bacchus Marsh bypass to redirect heavy trucks.

“I’m a straight shooter, a passionate advocate for our amazing region and I’m determined to secure the services, facilities and infrastructure that we deserve, as opposed to the breadcrumbs we have been fed for too long,” Ms Reid said.

“I am well connected in our community and in touch with what is needed for our electorate, and I am excited at the prospect that I could be our voice in parliament. I believe we need a change, fresh blood, a fresh pair of eyes.”

Ms Reid said 2022 is “the year we can make that change and see our region finally getting a piece of the (funding) cake in Spring Street.”

For more information on Nicola Reid and her campaign, visit www.nicolareidindependent.com.