Awell-known Mount Gambier politician is celebrating a major milestone this month.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has rung the bell on a decade in his current position representing the Blue Lake city in State Parliament.
During that time, Mr Bell has been integral in passing legislation and receiving funding to benefit the local environment, education system, community, infrastructure and health network.
Mr Bell said representing the community has been a privilege, honour and a lot of hard work.
“We have had lots and lots of successes right back to my first achievement which was getting an extra $3m for the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme back in 2014,” he said.
“It has been good working with different ministers, mayors and councillors over that period.
“There has been a number of people who have made a contribution to our community and that is really pleasing and most of these things that I have achieved have actually been a joint effort and there are a lot of other people to thank.
“On top of that, having a wonderful staff that have been with me for nearly the whole 10 years as well in Denise and Travis I think is important and says a few things as well about having a good team environment in our office.”
Mr Bell said one of the biggest wins of his decade long position was the implementation of policy of a 10 year moratorium on fracking in the Limestone Coast in 2018.
“It is really quite amazing when I look back on it because neither the Liberal Party nor Labor really wanted to ban fracking in the South East,” he said.
“It was really through the power of our community that we were able to achieve a 10 year moratorium and that was with the Liberal Party and I remember working very closely with Rob Lucas on that one.”
Mr Bell said no matter who holds the seat in the future, he would like to see his future Mount Gambier – 2.0 plan, which will be available for community consultation in three months, used to benefit the city.
“There is a lot to still achieve and I guess what I am really aiming for in the future Mount Gambier – 2.0 document is that I would really like it used by anyone who comes along afterwards, whether it is somebody who challenges for the seat or are involved in different levels of government whether it is council or federally,” he said.
“It is not my work, it is actually the community’s feedback to me and all I am doing is compiling it and publishing it so that everybody can see these are the issues that people have been talking to me about so it is documented in one place for us to move forward and I am really hopeful that is the outcome whether it is me or someone else delivering it.
“Whether it is me or someone else, you really want Mount Gambier to remain front and centre on the government’s mind and attract the funding and the resources that a city of our size needs.”
