Real estate agent Bruce McLachlan says the coast needs more jobs and the council must be a major driver of employment opportunities.
“I am pro business, pro employment, especially our youth,” Mr McLachlan said.
“I do not want my kids risking driving on the freeway to get a well paid job. “There are too many commuters that are forced to travel for work. I would bring my business skills to Council to try and drive this focus.”
Mr McLachlan hopes he can stand alone, as an independent, and get one in four residents in The Entrance ward to vote for him to get him across the line.
“I have been told by experienced political people I CANNOT WIN without preferences. I have to achieve 1 in 4 votes in my own right to gain a seat. I do not have people or parties directing votes my way. Have been told no one locally has ever got in this way. But I like a challenge, and not scared of having a go.
“If I cannot get in on my own merit, than I do not want the job. I believe the preference system is a joke, favours the major parties, who then bring their national party politics to local government level.”
If he does win, he will go one better than his father, who stood as an independent back in the 1960s.
“My late father late Peter McLachlan was treasurer of now Shelly Beach Golf Club, and he also stood for Council in the 1960s.
“He won the highest vote at the polls but was beaten by preferences.”
Mr McLachlan said he was standing for council because he didn’t want to see all the political influence shifting south.
“I have a great experienced team at McLachlan Partners, which allows me to continue in my role, and still invest some time into the community. I think if more successful business people could put something back into their community, we would all be better off.
“So I’m having a go.
“With $125 outlay for candidate nomination, anyone can do it.
“For those critics of Councillors or candidates, who reckon they would do a better job, stand and run,” he said.
