Josh Cotter, the founder of local community organisation Rise Above, has revealed he will be running for Campbelltown Council at the December 4 local government elections.
Cotter will be leading the ticket for the Community First Party.
Current councillor Paul Lake, who established Community First, is retiring after almost 20 years on council.
Cotter ran on the ticket at the 2016 election and also at the subsequent by-election in 2017.
He didn’t quite make it, but believes this time around there will be a different result.
The Glen Alpine resident says it’s time for a change in Campbelltown and he wants to be part of it.
“I truly believe that we are at a point now where our city deserves change,’’ he says.
“It is time to shift away from the major parties and bring back some balance to council with some grassroots independents who can truly put our community first.
“I am proud to be born, raised and educated in Campbelltown and to be a part of this huge growth in South Western Sydney,’’ says Cotter.
“My hope is to bring a new perspective to council and be of service to our Campbelltown community.
“My experience working closely with families and young people from Campbelltown has made me extremely passionate about being an advocate and a genuine voice for our Macarthur region.
“My vision is to see a shift in focus towards positive outcomes and empowering communities rather than concentrating on the negatives.’’
Cotter was named Campbelltown young citizen of the year in 2011, in recognition of his community service – when he was still at high school.
He hasn’t stopped making a contribution since then, establishing Rise Above as a response to the growing needs and challenges that youth, families and other local residents face on a daily basis.
“Since I first started working in our community over 13 years ago, my number one priority has always been to help others,’’ he says.
“I truly am grateful to be able to work alongside some amazing individuals in our region, people who genuinely want the best for Campbelltown and are doing so much to better our city.
“I want to ensure our Campbelltown region is a destination of choice – to work, live, visit and most of all be proud of.
“I hope that my vision will bring a new perspective to council for this generation and the next.’’
