Steve Taskovski hopes to return to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council

The real estate agent with Ian McNamee and Partners has lived in the area for 47 years after migrating from Macedonia.

He was elected to Queanbeyan council in 1983 and served for six terms until 2008.

After nine year’s break from local government he is contesting again and feels his understanding of the inner workings of local government will be a big asset.

The independent candidate felt the recent council amalgamation had left the region short-changed.

“It could have been done better; I don’t think there is enough money in the kitty to do all these things,” he said.

Mr Taskovski said careful planning was required to ensure adequate funding was generated to cover needs across Queanbeyan and Palerang.  

Despite his fears about funding Mr Taskovski was against further rate rises and generating funds could be done through development of council assets and council run facilities.

“My plan is for a more efficient and effective council,” he said. 

“To lobby for lower rates, support better youth facilities, commit council to better progressing of the building applications and support establishment of better sporting facilities as well.” 

He said upgrading the sewerage system was a top priority.

Mr Taskovski is the treasurer of the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS), has served as a board member of Southern Tablelands electricity and for four years was a member of the NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission.

The keen soccer fan arrived in Australia in the 1970s to play professionally and will lobby for an A League team in Queanbeyan as a means to boost tourism and draw money into the city.

“We are a gateway between the snowy mountain and the coast,” he said.

Mr Taskovski pledged to be active, accessible and accountable to ratepayers. 

“I have been living in the town for almost half a century, you’ve got to do the right thing for the people,” he said. “We want progress.”