MOREE real-estate agent Dominique Hodgkinson says her knowledge of the industry holds her in good stead as she launches her local government election campaign.
Her decision to stand as a candidate for a seat on Moree Plains Shire Council stems from conversations she continues to have with the many people she meets in her profession.
“This provides me with an informed knowledge of the impact that decisions made by Council have on our community,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“For example, the impact the recent rate rises have had on the local property market and the effects those rises have within the community, as well as those investing in the community.”
Ms Hodgkinson meets with tenants, homeowners, investors and tradespeople daily, and says their opinions and stories have helped her build a bigger, at times frustrating, picture.
“As the owner of a local real-estate agency, I am fortunate to deal with varying demographics on a daily basis,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“These include landlords and investors, tenants, homeowners and owner-occupiers, first-home buyers, people new to Moree, and those selling and unfortunately leaving Moree.
“There is also a multitude of tradespeople that work in the Moree Plains Shire, all of which provide valuable insight into our communities’ needs and concerns – I talk to these people regularly,” she said.
“On a near daily basis, many of my clients and customers vent their frustrations regarding the impact decisions made by Council have had on them.”
Ms Hodgkinson says many from within the community and those that invest in the community are overwhelmed and, more often than not, disappointed and frustrated by costly, drawn-out Council protocol, processes and procedures.
“It’s one thing for me to be able to listen and empathise with people when they vent their frustrations,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“However, it’s an entirely different matter to be able to sit at the table as an elected Councillor and use my informed knowledge to educate others at that table about the varied impacts affecting our community and those that invest in our community.”
Ms Hodgkinson is born and raised in Moree. She spent two years in Queensland but returned to the black-soil plains 10 years ago and established her own real-estate agency in 2016.
“A seat on Council will give me the opportunity to advocate for the needs and concerns of our community, as well as develop and promote positive outcomes for our community,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Words: Bill Poulos
