Craig is a Radiation Therapist working in the Oncology Department at Dunedin Public Hospital. He grew up in Mosgiel, moved away for a few years to study and travel before happily returning and buying a house on the Taieri with his wife Jody. At 28 Craig wants to represent not only the great people of the area but also as a young professional ensure the council has representation from younger ratepayers.  With board experience and a real interest in making the region a better place to live he has plenty to offer along with the energy and enthusiasm to see it through. Craig promises to not forget that the position is an elected one, which means fighting for what is best for the whole community and ensuring the opinions of all ratepayers are heard.

Top 5 Issues

1. TRANSPARENCY
   I will never forget that I am a elected representative. Too often we never hear from councillors until three years have gone by.
   I have tentatively gained agreement from the Taieri Herald to write a regular column on issues pertinent to those from the Mosgiel/Taieri area, ensuring ratepayers know what the council is up to.
   I will always be contactable on my e-mail mosgiel.taieri@gmail.com or through facebook www.facebook.com/VoteCraigWatsonforDCC. It is important that modern technology and communication is used and accepted.
   I would also like to see a reduction in the amount of closed sessions the council has. Hiding behind closed doors is not an open democracy.
   
2. SUSTAINABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
   Town Hall Upgrade- of course
   Regent Upgrade- without a doubt
   Tahuna Sewage- overdue
   Stadium- debatable but forward thinking
   
   Doing them all at once- Crazy!
   
   It is always important that a council works to provide it's community with modern facilities and excellent amenities. But this needs to be done in a sustainable fashion ensuring rates are kept in check and that City debt is not through the roof.
   
3. RECREATION
   
   What an awesome city we live in. What an awesome town I want to represent! But we can make it better.
   
   The Taieri should be known country-wide for its great cycle routes, I have a lot of ideas to make us as popular as the Rail Trail for recreational cyclists. Please e-mail me on mosgiel.taieri@gmail.com if you want to know more.
   
   Mosgiel's pool urgently needs upgrading and although our council has piled itself in debt over the last three years I will fight for money to be found to upgrade it.
   
   Our Dog Parks, beaches and waterways are marvellous. I am proud to have them in our city and will continue to support, use and promote them.
   
   Mosgiel has a park/playground that would have to be one of the best in the world! I love seeing it full to the brim in the weekends when I go to the supermarket. We need to set up/refurbish mega parks like these in two or three more places in Dunedin to promote a healthy recreational lifestyle for our kids.
   
4. HEALTH
   
   Health is important to me. It is my professional and personal desire to improve our City's collective health.
   
   How can we, in this modern age, be opening stores that are solely designed to sell smokes/cancer to our community? I would like to promote a bylaw that bans stores whose income is derived mainly from the sale of tobacco. Lets lead the country!
   
   I would also like to see liquor outlets limited to their current numbers.
   
   As mentioned previously, healthy lifestyles should be promoted through world class parks, playgrounds, cycleways and waterways.
   
   
5. YOUNGER COUNCIL REPRESENTATION
   
   At 28, I have many many years of rates left to pay and assets to enjoy, as do many of my friends and family.
   Dunedin is a city with close to 20 thousand students and plenty of hard working men and women under 40, but where is their representation? I believe I can play a real role in voicing my generation’s needs.
   I am a hard working young professional and proud of it!
   

Personal Profile

I moved back to the Taieri 3yrs ago with my wife, Jody. We brought a house in Kinmont with a brilliant view of the Mosgiel sign. This was after growing up here and moving away for Uni and my OE. I had a brilliant time away seeing the world, but I am so happy to be back!

I am a Radiation Therapist (cancer treatment) at Dunedin Hospital and I am also the clinical tutor, looking after students in Dunedin on the programme. I am the editor for my professions national journal and I am also on the national board. My time on the board and running a journal has given me excellent experiences that will benefit me greatly if selected for the council.

I like to keep myself very busy, I volunteer at times with the Regent Theatre, Mayfair Theatre and Taieri Operatic, mainly working in the bars for shows. I hope everyone has tickets for Miss Saigon, it is sure to be amazing! I am also joining Mosgiel Rotary and have involvement with the Dunedin Young Professional group.

Recreationally I love getting out on the plains, be it walking Gus our dog, going for runs or taking the bike for a spin. Nothing beats getting out on the bike in the weekends or even biking to town on occasions, as I have already mentioned I want to see positive progress with cycle ways and will work hard on this if elected.

Dunedin needs a fresh makeover of it's council and that is not going to come from voting on semi retired/retired folk but by puting in younger, enthusiastic and vibrant community minded locals. I love our city, promise to give it my all and promise to feedback to all rather than hiding behind closed doors.

 

Please get in contact if you want to hear more and please Vote 1 for Craig Watson.

Remember with STV that 1 is very very important and I would appreciate your support.