Charlie plays lead role on the campaign trail - Mercury.com.au

As featured on Mercury news website, www.themercury.com.au

Kingston Beach resident Dale Reardon has a law degree and a businesses background but usually it is his companion Charlie who people want to know about first when he knocks on doors and asks for support in this month’s council elections.

The friendly Labrador and Golden Retriever cross has been by Mr Reardon’s side for the past four years as his Seeing Eye Dog.



The 44-year-old candidate for Kingborough Council believes he will be Tasmania’s first blind councillor.

Mr Reardon said he decided to run for the council because he thought it needed better governance.

“Reading the annual report, they don’t even have a business plan, which is very surprising and worrying,” he said.

“I’d also like to see the redevelopment of the former Kingston High School site done a lot faster than they plan. It’s a 10-year plan so by the time you get even half way through, things will have altered and it’s costing us money to hold as an asset. Ten years is just pathetic.”

Mr Reardon thinks another a key issue for Kingborough is finding a way to balance growing tourism on Bruny Island with residents’ needs.

“One of the things the community seems to be in support of is a landing fee or toll to go to the island,” he said. “It could be built into the ferry ticket and go towards maintenance of roads and facilities.”

Voting in all council elections closes at 10am on Tuesday, October 28.