2021 City of Busselton Council election | Valerie Kaigg

I spent all my school holidays in the region and developed a love for Busselton as a place to live at a young age.

I moved to Busselton to raise my three children 32 years ago after the death of my husband and several direct family members leaving me no reason to remain in the metropolitan area.

I saw Busselton as the best place to raise my family as I could work close to all the facilities my children were needing while growing. They still live, work, play their sports and volunteer in the community.

While I needed to work in two jobs to provide for my family it was my 13 years working at the Shire at Busselton that developed my love for local government and the realisation of the provision, they provided for better life prospects for residents living in the region.

As facilities officer in charge of the budget spend for maintenance, refurbishment and later capital replacement of Shire owned buildings.

I was involved with many of the user groups, community volunteers, recreation and sporting club members and learnt of their passion like mine for the region and their need for the provision of services.

It's not all about small business and tourism but about the residents that chose Busselton as their home who came here to live and raise their family or have spent their entire life here that matter the most to me.

Local government is to provide the core services that allow for provision of growth, safe transport links, footpaths, bridges waste management as well as sporting, recreational and cultural facilities while protecting the environment we all love.

Rates must be affordable that do not force our farmers off the land, houseowners, or our lower income earners out with what is becoming an unaffordable rent driven by the consistent drive for the tourism dollar and of available housing being used as short stay accommodation.

While I am not against growth ways must be found to fund projects builds that don't rely on rate hikes to supplement the build as lifetime costs for operational budgets will fall heavily on the shoulders of ratepayers.

Planning that allows for the oversupply or duplication of already sufficient businesses may see the end or closure of some who have been the backbone in providing for the community and planning that allows the ambience of our towns change because of more on smaller blocks impacting the traffic and lifestyle of residents calling Busselton home since forever.

I am not a person who publicly express my views or opinions choosing rather to listen to that of others. I have listened to many beautiful and amazing people and of how they came to live in Busselton and of their lives because of this.

My decision to nominate in this election after being unsuccessful in others was made in the last hour before nominations closed as I am not a person who quits when I have the drive and passion on any project I take on.

My everyday life is based mostly around family, sees me walking the many paths that offer great relaxation and sights of Busselton, attending or supporting local sports and community or cultural events, volunteering for Ironman, 70.3, or Busselton Jetty Swim, member of the Repertory Club and caring for pets.