City of Greater Geraldton election candidates: Ron’ Big Ron’ Bertelsen keen to bring ideas to council

Geraldton local Ron Bertelsen is standing for council for the fourth time this election — with “Big Ron” bringing his big ideas to the ballot. At 56, Mr Bertelsen has lived in Geraldton his whole life, working more than 30 years in the community services sector after earlier stints in security. He said his motivation to keep nominating for council came from a lifelong connection to the city and a desire to contribute to its future. “This is my fourth time running. I’ve grown up in Geraldton. I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years and changes for the better so and I want to be part of that moving into the future. I’ve also travelled a bit throughout Australia and overseas, and come back, and I realise how lucky we do have it here,” he said. One of Mr Bertelsen’s main priorities if elected would be reintroducing verge-side waste collection to tackle illegal dumping. “I’ve been promoting getting the verge side pick-up back for the whole community,” he said. “I was out looking at the illegal dumping, and there’s still quite a fair bit of it in their bushland, it not only creates an eyesore, it creates an environmental hazard as well as a fire hazard. “So having verge-side pick-up gives people a legal way to dispose of their items they can’t take to the tip or if they can’t afford paying the fees at the tip. “They need to look at other options, councils in Perth operate under, what they call a verge side valet, where you can book at certain dates so it’s not creating that eyesore in the suburbs.” Mr Bertelsen also highlighted long-term challenges for Geraldton including housing, road congestion, waste management and greenery. “How are we going to manage the housing crisis? How are we going to manage the road networks? How are we going to manage the waste disposal? How are we going to green up the place? Geraldton is very lacking in trees,” he said. “I’m just here for the people . . . it’s not just about the big-ticket items. I’ve been approached about the jetty for Geraldton, the artificial reef at the Back Beach . . . but I’ve also been talked to about disability access at Utakarra Oval. The small issues as well as the big issues need to be addressed. “Just vote for me. Vote 1 Big Ron. Big Ideas. My persistence in keeping on running for council shows how I’ll operate on council as well. Some of these things, you do have to be persistent to try and get them through.” Remember to return your postal ballot via mail, allowing enough time for it to be received before Saturday, October 18. Or you can drop your ballot in person to the Geraldton Civic Centre up until 6pm on Saturday, October 18 or at the Mullewa District Office up until 5pm on Friday, October 17.