COMMUNITY worker and former ABC regional manager Ross Peddlesden has declared his intention to run for election to the Bundaberg Regional Council in Division 5.

Mr Peddlesden said he believes residents are looking for leaders with a vision and clearly defined goals, both within the division and across the Bundaberg region.

"We need someone who will operates on the basis of common sense and respect; who is prepared to show leadership but knows how to work with people on a basis which respects their needs, their opinions and their aspirations," Mr he said.

He said will campaign for a number of specific issues which he believes will improve the lot of Bargara residents. 

They include:

• A community car service from Bargara, so that elderly residents can have a convenient and free door to door transport service to medical appointments etc.  "This is a service which operates successfully in communities right across the nation and utilises a small amount of council resources and a lot of volunteer effort to create a great outcome," he said. 
• Kerbside green waste collection.  "At present council tells residents not to put green waste in their rubbish bins, but gives them no alternative.  Not everybody has a trailer or can afford to rent a garden bag. Not everybody can compost and some garden waste doesn't compost anyway.  Kerbside collection would face an initial set up cost, but in the long term would recover many of its costs through the sale of mulch etc.  And it's environmentally responsible," he said. 
• Favourable consideration for at least one iconic tourist attraction in Bargara.  "We don't need Disneyland, but tourism is a vital sector employing our kids, and at present council seems happy to let the industry drift along by itself," he said. 

Mr Peddlesden said he believes that divisional councillors should be part of a team across the region. 

"At present representing your division sometimes seems to be an excuse for not contributing to the debate about the big issues like employment, technology, culture and the environment," he said.

"Council has a vital role to play in attracting businesses which will employ our kids, encouraging cultural activity which will make our lives richer and more satisfying and making our community an environmental leader. 

"I don't think anybody thinks that the present council has been good at any of that."

About Ross Peddlesden 

Ross Peddlesden - Ross has lived in Bargara since 2001. 

For 13 years he was the Regional Manager of local ABC radio station ABC Wide Bay. 

He now owns media consultancy Field of Dreams Media.

As a community worker he has been a member of the Rotary Club of Bundaberg East since 2002, holding most leadership positions in the club including the presidency. 

He has also carried out a number of district roles, including being Assistant District Governor for two years. 

He is currently District Chair for the Rotary Leadership Institute.

He has been a board member of YMCA Bundaberg Inc. for six years, the last three and a half as president. 

He is a member of the board of the Bundaberg Health Services Foundation.

Ross has contributed to the community as an organiser and MC of numerous community events, most recently MCing Bundaberg's White Ribbon Day breakfast.