John Van De Putte says the combination of running his own business and community service would make him an effective voice on Wollondilly Shire Council.
Mr Van De Putte, who has lived in Wollondilly for 20 years, is running for election on September 14 in the north ward of the shire.
“I am ready to take up the challenge and I look forward to campaigning for solutions to local issues such as reducing the current road and infrastructure maintenance backlog,’’ he says.
“I believe my career experience, qualifications and volunteer support roles have equipped me well to work to make council one which will govern more responsibly, openly and transparently,” he said.
“I am keen to keep the ratepayers, residents, business owners and other Wollondilly stakeholders needs and priorities at the top of council’s agenda.
“I’m a candidate for Wollondilly Council because I believe it should be doing a much better job of planning for the future and sharing those plans with the community.
“To achieve this council must be fully committed to genuine, meaningful and inclusive community consultation – this issue I too will robustly pursue.”
Mr Van De Putte operated his own business in waste disposal management for 17 years. For six of those years he was an executive member of the Waste Contractors and Recycling Association (NSW).
Since leaving corporate life more than 15 years ago, Mr Van De Putte has been active as a volunteer community advocate in road safety, men’s mental health and disability and access issues.
He is a founding member of the Think of the Five, Arrive Alive organisation which advocates for generational shift in safer driving attitudes.
Mr Van De Putte is a candidate under the independent group Team Purple.
A spokesperson told the South West Voice that Team Purple candidates elected to council would be free to vote how they see fit.
