WARRNAMBOOL businessman Graham Ryan is standing for election at next month’s Warrnambool City Council elections, saying he will bring business expertise to the council.
Mr Ryan, the managing director of the Ryans transport company, said there was presently no voice for business on the council and he would bring accountability to the role.
“Warrnambool is going through hard times. We need to manage the place well to get out the other side of the downturn,” Mr Ryan said.
“I believe the south-west has fantastic opportunities ahead if managed properly, if we can get a group of councillors to pull in the same direction.”
He did not want to comment on the present council’s performance other than to say “I believe we can do better.”
“I am not worried about what has been. I’m more interested in the future, in what we can do.” He said he was not aligned to any other candidates but believed “a bit of old and a bit of new will make a good team”.
The region faced much change and opportunity, such as its emergence as a centre for alternative energies, he said.
“Industry and education should be partnering together to make people aware of the opportunities in this region.
“We should be able to skill our local people to be eligible for the jobs and opportunities coming into our region.
“I am directly invested in the Warrnambool region and as a long-term business operator here I have first-hand knowledge of the issues we face. I have a passionate belief in Warrnambool and its outlook for the future.”
