Election candidates in focus | Kylie Kennaugh

I have solid backgrounds in not only agriculture, but also hospitality, tourism, small business, volunteering and the transport industry.

We have run tourist operations over the years and I’ve spent approx. 15 years in hospitality managing and owing my own business.My family are the founders of Margaret River Venison where I am fortunate to be able to work side by side with both my daughters Stephanie 22 & Jennifer 19.

Partner Greg has a freight company, Berridge Transport - we also work very closely, turning his business 8 years ago from 1 truck and driver to now 5 trucks and 8 drivers.

Earlier this year I ran for the upper house at the state election because I believe that we need to eliminate much of the red tape that holds back and stifles small business.  This is something that I continue to fight for because I believe with simple changes government could be doing it better.

I am an active member of the Agricultural Society since 2000 and have been President since 2012.

I firmly believe that councillors should be unbiased, forward thinking all-rounders with an ability to make common sense decisions, and that is something I can offer as an active member of the community.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on council and while we have come a long way we still have a way to go and I am keen to continue to make change and break down those walls between the council and community.

  I really want people to see what I have seen, going from an ‘armchair expert’ when I first put up my hand to being in awe of just how lucky we are. 

One of our roles is linking the community to the council. 

We are there to hear what people are saying and asking for, whether it is roads, sponsorship, footpaths or planning changes or all else, then we put it forward for discussion.  People in the community need to talk directly to us, not on FB but approach us with their concerns. 

As a council, we have been supporting some fantastic public consultation ideas and engagement and we need the community to engage back with us so that we can all learn and share ideas, and we need better understanding from the community about the difficulties faced by shire.

Waste disposal – the cost of handling and the land required I believe is the biggest issue facing the shire.

The logistics of managing waste produced in our region is daunting, and made worse by the impact of visitors to our region. It’s quite simple – we ALL need to get better at recycling. 

Council can be very demanding however I am lucky that my jobs and family are reasonably flexible and much of my work can be done at any hour of the day.

Public perception is the most frustrating thing for me.

I am first and foremost a member of the community, I am impacted by rates, fees, charges and all decisions made along with every other ratepayer in the shire. 

Difference for me is that I now attend every council meeting, read every document, meet with the community listen to their concerns, sit through many deputations and briefings and weigh up the costs to the community on all decisions made.

I love everything about this region but most of all I love the winter, cold nights, casseroles and log fires, and on those days that I need a pick me up I drive down Carters road through the trees and remind myself just how lucky we all are living in this region.

Sometimes we are guilty of only seeing negatives, but I like to regularly take stock of just how lucky we all are and what we have to offer and share with others.

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