Mr Hillyer is well known and respected throughout the area and further afield for his 34 years working with the RLPB on both a district and state level.

He is of course very pleased to be elected into this new role of LHPA board director, and says although a challenging time lies ahead due to the restructure of the system, he is positive about the future.

“I will certainly do my best for the ratepayers of the area,” he said.

“Naturally the restructure has presented a challenge that will have to be worked on, but if things don’t go right, then an alternative will simply have to be tried to get a good result for ratepayers.”

Mr Hillyer hopes that ratepayers of the area will approach him should they have any concerns, and has encouraged relevant groups who wish him to attend any meetings as an LHPA board director to contact him so he can become aware of issues right around the large district.

Mr Hillyer also wished to thank those people who supported his nomination for the role through voting for him in the LHPA elections, and acknowledged the other candidates for running for what will become an important role.

South East LHPA returning officer, Thomas Ross said there was a good response to the election ballot from ratepayers in divisions C, D and E, with the ballot closing on Friday, June 19.

An election was not required in divisions A, B and F with a candidate for each division taking their positions on the board.

“We had 11 candidates vying for three elected director positions on the South East Livestock Health and Pest Authority Board,” Mr Ross said.

“These positions were determined using the ‘first past the post’ voting system, with the candidate receiving the most number of votes elected in each division.”

South East returning officer, Thomas Ross said the successful candidates were: