Tamworth Regional Council elections 2021: Tamworth councillor Mark Rodda hoping to win a third term on council

NOT one to shy away from making his voice heard, Mark Rodda hopes his track record of standing up for residents' concerns will win him a third term on Tamworth Regional Council.

The father-of-six and long-time local was first elected to council in 2012, and said since then he has fought hard to bring transparency to the decision-making process.

"I have always been a community focussed advocate on issues important to our region's residents," he said.

"I support ratepayers wherever they may be within our LGA and have often spoken up for the voiceless."

Naming water security and affordability among his top priorities, Cr Rodda said he hopes to continue the fight for accountability.

"A low point for our region was the manner in which the water supply in the augmented Chaffey Dam had been managed between 2017 and 2019," he said.

"We needed to know how it could have been drained so quickly in that time putting at risk the water supply for Tamworth, Kootingal and Moonbi as well as Split Rock Dam for Manilla.

"We deserve some transparency and accountability in the management of our water supplies."

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He stressed the need to investigate alternative water options such as the reuse of water through purification technology.

"And alternate water supplies such as tapping into the great artesian basin or a pipeline from Keepit Dam," he added.

Running as an Independent, Cr Rodda said he is passionate about a range of important issues, but it's often the little things that enhance residents' lives.

As far as delivering outcomes goes, he listed road upgrades, new or replacement footpaths, a new streetlight, more trees in parks and streets, solar lighting along Scott Road and the Peel Levy bank and regional playgrounds as among his 'wins' on council.

With six children ranging in age from 17 to 7, he said he fully understands cost of living pressures impacting residents.

"I live modestly with family in old austerity era home in South Tamworth previously owned by my grandparents," he added.

Choosing to be photographed with a portrait of his family, he said they fully support his efforts in continuing to make the region a better place to live, work and grow a family.

"They continue to remind me that I am at their service and indeed the wider community of families that comprise our great TRC local government area," he said.

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