IN about five-and-a-half years as a Latrobe City councillor, getting the funding for the long-awaited performing arts centre is a highlight for Dale Harriman.
“That is something that should have been built 15 years ago and to get that funding for it now and know it’s going to go ahead is just fantastic,” Mr Harriman said.
The East Ward councillor is standing for re-election, because he believes there is still a lot of work to do.
He originally stood for council – unsuccessfully – eight years ago because it “seemed nothing was getting done in Traralgon”.
However, he believes since his successful bid in a (then) Dunbar Ward by-election, some progress had been made.
“We’ve started spending money on facilities across the board, more evenly,” Mr Harriman said.
“I think there was a bit of bias with where the money was getting spent and I believe now it’s getting better.”
Mr Harriman highlighted a recent needs assessment of the municipality’s sports facilities, which has allowed council to prioritise what grounds need upgrading first.
He said the next step was implementing that analysis, so more young people could become active and involved in outdoor spaces.
So too, he said, was making sure the performing arts centre does get built and the Traralgon pool upgraded with an aquatic centre in his sights.
Mr Harriman said in his time as councillor, changing Latrobe City’s culture was a challenge.
But with the implementation of a new chief executive and executive team, he believes it is improving.
“A big thank you needs to go to the staff for the way they’ve embraced the change of culture that the new chief executive and executive team have brought on board,” he said.
Mr Harriman hopes to champion the Valley’s power and timber industries, which he believes have a bright future.
The father-of-three said if there was one thing he had proven as a councillor, it was “that I listen and react”.
“So why should people vote for me? Because when I say I’m going to help, 100 per cent of the time I give everything I’ve got to do it,” he said.
“I think a lot of the time we’ve achieved change or achieved an outcome.
“Sometimes unfortunately 10 per cent, 15 per cent of the time, there’s nothing we can do, but at least we can try.
“And I think I have shown that, so hopefully people see it and get on board.”
