Deputy Mayor Ben Fry
Vision & Local Economy
My goal is to create a strong and vibrant city that respects its past, but looks to the future. When setting our strategic intent, our council should focus on these key aspects;
Local Economy
Community
Agriculture
Education
Health
Sports
Roads & Infrastructure
My driving force is the under-representation of businesses on our council. Our local businesses are the backbone of the community - whether you own one, work in one, or have a family member that does, small and medium enterprise plays a critical role ensuring prosperity in our city.
Policies at a glance.
The Future.
All policy should be driven by strategic thinking and the best ways forward for Bathurst - short, medium and long term.
Our critical focus areas include:
Agriculture
Business
Community
Education
Health
Roads & Infrastructure
Sports
Local Economy.
Small and medium size businesses are the backbone of our community. If you don’t own or work for one, you likely have a friend or family member who does.
The business community wants less red tape and fewer rules getting in the way of business projects… and more support and incentives instead, to build the local economy.
We also need more consultation when considering council projects that impact businesses and the CBD.
Agriculture.
Rural landholders make up a smaller volume of voters in our region but occupy much more land, and contribute exponentially to our local economy.
Producers also use council services and resources differently to city-based ratepayers - and this should be considered when making infrastructure decisions.
I represent those landholders; who deserve a voice on our council.
Community.
Community organisations and local not-for-profits play a key role in making Bathurst a more liveable, accessible place for everyone. Working alongside each other, they help provide essential services which are at the heart of our community - and often fill gaps in areas where local council is under-resourced.
Clear lines of consultation between council and these groups should be strengthened; This could include linking them to local, state and federal funding channels.
Sport.
Like community organisations, local sporting clubs play a pivotal role in our city.
You’d be hard-pressed finding anyone who isn’t somehow linked to one of our many sporting clubs, across the many codes that are embraced here.
Council should prioritise support to sporting clubs as we begin to realise our strategic position in the West. We have the opportunity to be a hub for elite sporting development - a bridge between young athletes in the West and higher representative levels in bigger cities.
Health.
The Bathurst health environment could be better - we see too many opportunities and facilities being funded in Central West cities, but not ours.
As a Council, we should lobby for more public funding and encourage new private health infrastructure in Bathurst.
I support any new health infrastructure upgrades and projects, private or public.
Follow our journey.
More about Councillor Ben Fry.
BoxGrove Farm
I’m a co-owner and the licensee of our family-owned and operated function centre “BoxGrove”, situated on 170 acres in Eglinton, on the edge of Bathurst.
Me and my wife Kayla and her sister Melissa host weddings and significant life events every weekend.
More than 85% of couples who hire BoxGrove Farm hail from outside our LGA, bringing hundreds of visitors to town each week. It’s the team’s mission to ensure the broader local economy benefits from these visitors. Every BoxGrove wedding draws on local wine, food, accommodation and transport suppliers to look after its guests every week.
WestFilm.
My other business is visual producing and storytelling for people and places in the regions.
I bring experience in State Government media management and strategic communication to branding and promotions film-making.
My filmmaking consultancy business WestFilm designs and creates communications strategies and training for a range of clients, government and private. I have worked for public figures and organisations across the state; from Bega to Byron Bay, Bathurst to Broken Hill.
Other experience.
Charles Sturt University
An elected member of Charles Sturt University’s governing board, the University Council, Ben helps oversee strategy, risk management and finances for the institution.
The University Council is directly accountable to its stakeholders for creating and delivering value and improved performance through effective governance.
The Hon. Paul Toole MP
Two and a half years as a public servant, Ben has worked for the Parliament of NSW in the office of the Member for Bathurst and Deputy Premier The Hon. Paul Toole.
Ben helped Paul communicate with his constituents - assisting residents of the Bathurst electorate in resolving issues or queries they might have regarding state government departments, grants or initiatives.
Ben’s work with Paul has also allowed him to develop relationships between governments at all levels – local, state and federal – especially in matters of regional development.
Hope Charitable Group.
2017 saw Ben, business partners and friends form “Hope Charitable Group”; a charity specifically designed to hold events and raise funds for Daffodil Cottage Bathurst.
Each member of the group shared a connection, story or experience with the cottage, and found that some people receiving treatment there could not always afford the medication they needed.
There was a real need to subsidise the high costs associated with cancer drugs, that aren’t covered by Medicare, so the charity contributes to the cottage’s “High Cost Drug Fund”.
Since its creation in 2017, the group has handed over cheques amounting to over $107,500.00.
Panorama Football Club
Ben is a co-founder of the Panorama Football Club.
Starting from one team of 15 players ten years ago, the club now boasts 17 sides of 250+ member: one of the largest in the Central West.
The administrative committee of the club was pivotal in the creation of the Western Premier League - a new regional football competition between regional cities.