Jackson Snep says Ballarat could take the lead in promoting green jobs and the circular economy for a sustainable future.
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This is one of the key reasons the winemaker and social enterprise manager has decided to run for council in the October elections.
Mr Snep manages his family's wine business Welshmans Reef Vineyard with his father.
He lives in Ballarat, but grew up on the family farm in Welshmans Reef, around halfway between Ballarat and Bendigo.
Mr Snep said he had always been interested in supporting the community, but last summer's bushfires were a catalyst for him to put his hand up for council in an effort to make a difference.
"Tackling emissions and the changing climate is crucial for Ballarat and is one of the top reasons why I first decided to run for council," he said.
Mr Snep completed a business degree and spent three years working in a corporate audit and compliance role in Melbourne, before joining the family business.
He is also involved in managing Big Hearted Wines, a social enterprise which focuses on ensuring Central Victorian growers are paid a fair price and high quality grapes do not go to waste.
I think Ballarat has a real chance to become a real green manufacturing or green energy hub.
- Jackson Snep, South Ward candidate
It is his first time standing for council and he is running as a Greens endorsed candidate for South Ward.
Mr Snep said his three main priorities if elected to council were climate action, attracting businesses to Ballarat and improving council transparency.
This includes seeing the quick completion of the Carbon Neutrality and 100 per cent Renewables Action Plan and further action on recycling and renewable energy.
He said he would work to promote businesses, particularly sustainable businesses, to move to or set up in Ballarat and create new jobs.
"I think Ballarat has a real chance to become a real green manufacturing or green energy hub. There are a lot of possibilities there."
Mr Snep said he would also like to improve representation of young people on council.
"I hope to do that if I am elected to give a better, stronger voice to younger people, which they haven't always had historically," he said.
"I think I can make a real difference. I have a diverse background in small and large business. I think I can make some real change and bring age and political diversity to Ballarat."
Mr Snep is also currently working to set up a regeneratively farmed vineyard to reduce the family business' carbon footprint.
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