LEIGH Barrett tried to take the reins of the Chirnside Ward in 2003, but finished third behind Frank Purcell and Amanda Newton.
As founding president of the Point Cook Residents Association (PCRA) for three years he brought change by getting footpaths, more schools and fixing the growing area’s roads.
“The West Gate Freeway is torture for those who have to endure it. It’s so overloaded,” he said.
The group successfully lobbied for major road construction, and Mr Barrett founded a branch of the Neighbourhood Watch program to deal with issues such as building a sense of community, public transport and affordable housing.
“Getting more buses is a move in the right direction, it’s good to have more routes, but will they be frequent enough?” he wondered.
Mr Barrett believed his extensive history of community involvement and leadership was evident by his representation of community concerns at local, state and federal levels.
He is also passionate about getting rid of graffiti and vandalism in Wyndham, and offering more youth programs to give people a sense of ownership.
