George Tomkins is running for a spot on Wyndham Council. 83774
By XAVIER SMERDON
THE Chairman of the Wyndham Tourism Association has put his hand up for a spot on Wyndham Council when elections are held this October.
George Tomkins, a self confessed bikie lookalike, said he would be running as a candidate in the Chaffey Ward, which is currently represented by councillors Shane Bourke, Marcel Mahfoud and Adele De Crescenzo.
“I guess I’ve always been pretty opinionated about things, especially to do with tourism in Melbourne’s West, so thought it was about time I backed up my words with actions,” Mr Tomkins said.
“I feel that my strong involvement with the business community and local residents has given me a good grasp of the issues that we in Wyndham face on a day to day basis.
“I’m particularly proud of my leadership of the WTA over the past four and a half years, which has seen it grow from a fledgling organisation to an industry-recognised mouthpiece for tourism operators in Wyndham.”
Mr Tomkins, a former police officer and truck driver and the current owner of the Abbotts Apartment complex in Werribee, said if elected to council his priorities would be infrastructure, especially roads and associated traffic problems, as well as encouraging local employment by attracting industry to Wyndham.
“There needs to be either a slowing down of new developments or a major, and immediate, start on upgrading the existing road networks and implementing new roads, prior to any further large developments,” he said.
“In addition, if we can attract employers to Wyndham we can counter both local unemployment and the need for residents to travel into the city for work.”
And while his long facial hair and tattoos might make him stand out from the current councillors, Mr Tomkins said he wears them with pride.
“I am who I am and proud of what I have achieved so far in my life, anyone who doubts my ability, or passion, in running for a council position is warmly invited to meet me for a chat about the issues that affect them,” he said.
“You don’t get any pretensions with me; if elected, I’ll do this job with full commitment.”
For more information visit Mr Tomkin’s blog at www.adecentbloke.com.
