Mayor Jacinta Ermacora.
WARRNAMBOOL mayor Jacinta Ermacora will stand for re-election, saying she is pleased with her achievements over the past four years.
In a long list provided to The Standard, Cr Ermacora points to more than 20 improvements made to the city over that period and says she is particularly proud of the past two years where she has served as mayor.
“Although most of my personal election commitments from 2008 have been fulfilled, there is more to be done,’’ Cr Ermacora said.
“I believe that our city needs a greater focus on protecting the rights of those who need our support, especially young families, the unemployed, the low income, the elderly and people with disabilities.’’
Among the most important improvements in the past four years, Cr Ermacora highlights 3000 new lots made available to help with affordable housing, as well as claiming that an average of 350 new jobs have been created for every year of the past four.
She also said that more than $55 million worth of capital works to provide new infrastructure had been undertaken.
Cr Ermacora said council finances remained strong and she had delivered on a number of promises made in the 2008 council elections.
The mayor said she was committed to all parts of the city receiving good quality infrastructure and services.
“During my time as mayor I have noticed that some of our neighbourhoods have poorer quality infrastructure and services than others. If re-elected I will work to redress this imbalance,’’ Cr Ermacora said.
She vowed to fight for stage two of the Warrnambool Base Hospital upgrade, including a cancer care centre, more operating theatres and a larger emergency department.
Cr Ermacora said she and her husband were acutely aware of the importance of good quality health services as they raised their children.
Funding problems in the TAFE sector are also on Cr Ermacora’s radar and she vowed to fight for the retention of services in the city.