Paul Rossetto.
LEADING a crusade for Yenda flood victims has prompted farmer Paul Rossetto to make a run for a spot on council.
The third-generation farmer has championed a class action against Murrumbidgee Irrigation in the wake of the March floods and will use the experience as a springboard into next month’s Griffith council elections.
“The floods were the catalyst for me to start researching policy documents at council and MI and the more I spoke to councillors, the more I realised they were inclusive and I could make a difference,” Mr Rossetto said.
“It gave me the confidence to know that as long as I stuck to my beliefs, I could fight for a good cause and make progress.”
But don’t mistake him for a one-issue candidate.
Mr Rossetto will run in a group with incumbent mayor Mike Neville and two-term councillor Anne Napoli and has promised to unveil a comprehensive policy agenda leading up to the September 8 poll.
It will include a push for greater efficiency at council, a critical eye on finances and a focus on council’s core responsibilities – roads, rates and rubbish.
“I would like to try and minimise waste up there and even do a forensic audit of council finances to guide my future decision making,” he said.
“The things people have been telling me over the past month about the waste at council is a serious concern.
“There is a lot of ratepayers’ money not being put into core services.”
And the father of four said he was proud to be a running mate of Cr Neville’s.
“Mike is a good mayor and very inclusive,” he said.
“He’s always made time for me when I’ve rung up and asked questions and he’s extremely approachable.”
Mr Rossetto, who lived in Yenda his entire life before moving to Griffith 10 years ago, said it was important farmers were represented in the next council.
“We really need diversity and the current council only has one part-time farmer on it,” he said.
“I think that sameness can lead to a policy vacuum.”