Hedland council candidate Flo Bennett wants to give back to families if elected in this year’s postal vote

A committent to young Hedland families and youth affairs is what Flo Bennett promises to deliver if she gains council a seat at October’s local government election. After years of volunteering at sporting clubs and owning her own business, the long-time local has decided she will contest a seat on council, with hopes to put her ideas about what the future of the mining town could look like into action. “I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of years. I’ve grown up here and I've seen a lot. To make a change you’ve got to be in it, so I thought why not and I put my hand up,” she said. “I don’t have any experience on a council but I think four years will be a lot of time to put things in place and get things rolling. “Whether I get in or not, with the right people we can improve Hedland.” Ms Bennett said she had loved every second living in the region since her arrival to Hedland at the age of seven with her parents. She said prioritising families and retaining community members was one of her top priorities as well as supporting the prevention of youth crime. “I would like to see more facilities that assist families,” she said. “Facilities that will entice people to live here, keep them here and make them call Hedland home and be proud to call it home. “I wouldn’t mind looking at a community-based group to help solve youth crime and give kids something meaningful to do.” Ms Bennett said despite the negative reputation of the mining town, Port Hedland was the “friendliest” Pilbara community with lots of potential.