Christos Iliopoulos, who described himself as a “dedicated community advocate”, is running in the Wellington Shire Council election as a candidate for the Northern Ward.
With a vision for a healthier, more sustainable, and prosperous community, Mr Iliopoulos said he aimed to address key issues that matter most to residents.
“If we were to choose an ideal location in which to live, what would we seek? Clean air, clean water, fresh organic food, excellent health services, and quality schools?
“There are more elements naturally, but for now, let’s begin with these,” he said.
Mr Iliopoulos believed local government, particularly the Wellington Shire Council, had a significant role to play in influencing the availability and quality of these essential elements.
“Fortuitously, we mostly enjoy clean air. Our local government can use its influence, to ensure that we continue to enjoy clean air, and to make sure that decisions taken never compromise our clean air, and our environment,” he said.
Mr Iliopoulos proposed programs designed to install and maintain water purification systems in all kitchens, to remove chlorine, and other potentially harmful elements.
“Our local government can apply pressure on Gippsland Water to provide and coordinate this very important initiative,” he said.
“The success of Gippsland Water should not be based simply on water reaching our homes, but on the quality of water reaching our stomachs.”
Living in a food-growing district, Mr Iliopoulos said he was passionate about promoting local produce.
“We live in the middle of a food-growing district, yet the food we consume comes from elsewhere. Our local government can establish twice-weekly local produce markets in every town,” he said.
This initiative will provide affordable, high-quality food, and create opportunities for small-scale local food production businesses.
Mr Iliopouos aimed to attract top medical professionals to the region by providing the quality of life they aspire to.
“Such families will be attracted by schools with high educational outcomes,” he said.
To bring about the highest performing schools, Mr Iliopoulos proposed establishing and supporting the Wellington Education Nexus.
“This forum will draw from the expertise of educators in the primary, secondary, and tertiary education systems in Wellington. It will set educational outcome targets for our schools, and develop strategies to achieve them,” he said.
“Local government is much more than just rates, roads, and rubbish. If elected to Wellington Shire Council, I will do my utmost to ensure that our local government optimises the benefits it can provide for our community.”
