Central Australia Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) general manager, Blair McFarland, joins Alice Springs mayoral race in 2021

A PROMINENT figure in the youth sector has announced he will run for mayor in the 2021 Local Government Election this month.

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A PROMINENT figure in the youth sector in Alice Springs has announced he will run for mayor in the 2021 Local Government Election this month.

Central Australia Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) general manager, Blair McFarland, said he believed he would make a fit in council due to his work in crime, youth issues, substance misuse and community infrastructure development over the past 35 years.

“Alice Springs is in trouble and I think things are going to get worse before they get better. I think somebody like me would be a useful person in the mix in the council at this stage because of my experience.

“For Alice to operate in the current context I think that I have those skills and I’m prepared to put them to the use of the community.

Blair McFarland from CAYLUS running for mayor in Alice Springs. Picture: CHRISTINE ANSORGE

“I’ve operated with all levels of government – local government entities and federal government, and I’ve learned a lot through that political and bureaucratic side of things, but I’ve also got lots of experience dealing with issues on the ground, right across the region from Kintore to Mutitjulu and Alice Springs.”

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He said the issues in Alice Springs were the “consequences of very poor federal policy for generations”.

“We have to change the environment and to the degree that the local council can do that is what it should be doing.”

He said there was currently a lack of priorities for “dealing with issues” that council are able to deal with.

He said having a local skatepark closed for an extended period of time in a town rife with youth issues was not acceptable.

He also said council have got to prioritise recycling and becoming energy neutral and make steps to “future proof” the town.

“Alice Springs is an oasis in the centre of Australia.”

Mr McFarland said look out for him walking around town with his blue Acubra hat, as he is happy to chat about local government election business at any time.

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