Big Don's boss officially launches election campaign
The Big Don's Smoked Meats boss has officially launched his election campaign for local government in the upcoming October elections.
Big Don's boss Donovan MacDonald has launched bayswaterdon, an Instagram page dedicated to his campaign for the election.
He said his decision to run for council came after years of ongoing issues with the City of Bayswater while owning his successful smoked meat business.
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'I did a lot of yelling the last few days, now it's time to actually walk the talk,' he said on Instagram.
His post was flooded with words of encouragement and support.
'Mate you've got a hell of a lot of support,' one commentator said.
'Having you as a voice for the Bayswater area would be refreshing.' Donovan MacDonald is running for a West ward position on Bayswater council. Credit: Instagram: Bayswaterdon
'Let us know if you need volunteers for the campaign trial — we are in!' said another.
'Considering moving to Bayswater just to vote,' added another.
Last week, Mr MacDonald shared on the Big Don's Smoked Meats social media page his frustrations with what he called the city's lack of support and asked followers for suggestions for a new home for his business, which has since been deleted.
The post went viral, triggering a follow-up post explaining the situation in more depth and telling followers that he planned on running for Bayswater council's vacant West ward position in October.
Mr MacDonald told PerthNow he wanted to represent small businesses in local government and to help avoid 'over-governing'.
'It felt to me like I may as well do it — at least be a small business voice within the council itself. It seems like it should be more community minded,' he said.
When asked about Mr MacDonald's running for election the City of Bayswater CEO Jeremy Edwards did not comment.
Although Mr MacDonald said the city's CEO Jeremy Edwards and some councillors had been supportive, city officers were making things difficult — especially when he recently applied to make a whiskey distillery next door, saying it was a 'passion project' for him.
The problem surrounded the council having an 'issue' with the installation of three portable toilets, saying that the toilets required a building permit, which Mr MacDonald could not believe.
'They were literally forklifted in. No plumbing, above ground. But that's what triggered all this,' he said at the time.
Mr Edwards told PerthNow last Thursday that the sanitary facilities did require a permit and the works on the property were considered unauthorised.
Mr MacDonald said in his post that the City of Bayswater were also threatening to prosecute him, Mr Edwards said the city has not commenced a prosecution in relation to the installation of the sanitary facilities.
'While working collaboratively with local businesses, the city must also ensure compliance with State legislation, covering food safety, planning and building, to protect public safety,' he said.
Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti said in a statement on Friday that the owner had recently approached the city for advice on the new venture next to his existing premises and is continuing to work 'collaboratively' with Mr MacDonald to to support a 'safe and compliant outcome'.
'City officers met with the business owner onsite and outlined the necessary approvals,' she said.
'The city is working proactively with the business owner to help secure the necessary approvals as efficiently as possible.'
Mr MacDonald said he planned to stay in Bayswater for the next 20 years as his family was set up in the area and his business had seven more years on its lease.
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