We asked James Redgrave, an independent candidate for Mayor of Latrobe Council, to do some thinking out loud for us.

Specifically, we want him to talk a bit about the mechanics of building a campaign and the kinds of issues that he thinks are worth focussing on.

We hope this will be a regular column (no pressure, James!) that provides some insight into campaigning and what it takes for a serious tilt at local government.

If other candidates (elsewhere please) are interested in doing something similar, or even something quite different, please send a query to [email protected].

When I look back at the political campaigns I have been involved in, it numbers 15 at all three tiers of government in our great nation of Australia.

The single most important thing if you chose to run in a political race is, I feel, to be true to oneself first.

What I mean by that is to be honest with your known truths and defend your values to the end. Authenticity matters.

To run in an election is one of the most challenging things in life anyone will every do. You put it all on the line and you will be slapped, tossed and thrown around like you are in a head-on collision with a freight train.

Don’t compromise who you are, embrace it and what you stand for, then run like the roaring forties and believe in yourself. This will allow you to overcome the obstacles and get up every day with the energy and vision to put your community first.

Recently Latrobe Council have been focused on their 2025/26 Draft Plan and Budget. This is pretty big stuff so clearly I need to get my head around it. Let’s have a look.

Capital Works program 24/25

Latrobe Council April 2025 financial report on page four states as of 9 May 2025 $6.560M had been spent out of $12,338M budgeted. This was on supposed capped rate increases of 15% yet some found rates plus charges increased by as much as 50% this year. The question I would hope on ratepayer’s minds is:

If Latrobe Council is only spending half the capital works budget, why are we being slugged such high rates and charges?

Draft capital works program 25/26

The 2025/26 Draft Plan and Budget was published and somewhat circulated on 29 April 2025 calling for feedback and submissions yet zero feedback and submissions have been received.

The capital works program has 52 projects at a budgeted cost of $10.3M. Highlights are:

  • $1.7M for the Hawley foreshore shared footpath
  • $1.25M for Tarleton and Percival Road reconstruction
  • $350,000 for finalising the Latrobe flood mitigation project
  • $300,000 for Panatana footbridge
  • $250,000 for Port Sorell surf club
  • $50,000 for Port Sorell dog-off-leash area

Let’s hope that we can see a marked increase in capital works being delivered on time and on budget with this reduced program from previous years. As I have done for the last five years, I have sent these documents to my trusted international auditors to cast an eye over them and provide feedback.

Rate increases 24/25 and for 25/26

The 2024/25 rate increase was 22.1%; this year in the 2025/26 draft budget Latrobe council has chosen not to put a full percentage figure on the rate increases. Instead they have opted for a percentage breakdown in general rates of 6.6% and for charges a figure of $2.71 to $33.90 per week excluding the fire levy.

Taking a closer look at the overall financial picture, Latrobe Council had approximately $13M in savings in 2020. Today – if all capital works had been done this year – that savings amount would be zero or less. When you add the borrowed amounts of over $10M it’s not a great picture.

The council says “experiential learning” – that’s a hit in either buzzword bingo, or cowpat bingo, we’ll see – will be used to “deliver excellence in everything that will be done.” This term was used in the draft plan means and probably means learning by doing … but why wouldn’t you want it done right the first time?

A Happy Ending!

In a 29 April media release from Latrobe Council on the 2025/26 Draft Plan and Budget, the top dot point for capital works is $1.7M for the Hawley foreshore shared pathway.

At the Latrobe Council general meeting on 26 May the Mayor stated that it was likely only $1.4M would be spent on the next stage of the Hawley pathway in the coming financial year. $1.035M had been spent to date on approximately 300 metres or $3,450 per metre on the first three segments of the pathway.

Thus a typo in the media release appears to have saved ratepayers $300,000 dollars. Let’s have a party! Or not. There’s still plenty of work to do so with my pal Simon – the Two Tradies in Truck, plus one – so we’ll be off for now. Catch you next time.

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