FOR a while Gabby Barron joked about running for council. As she prepares to send her youngest child off to university, Mrs Barron realised if ever she was going to do it - now was the right time.

The owner of Gretel Lane is hoping her business brain will be an asset if she is successful in winning enough votes at the March 28 election.

"I used to joke and say 'when the kids are old enough, I'll run for council,'" she said.

"Now they are all old enough, and I just want to give it a go," she said.

"I got involved with the Christmas Street Party and the MyMaranoa initiative last year, and I just think you should give back to your community."

Having lived in the region for 29 years, Mrs Barron has raised four children and operated a number of businesses.

"I don't have any agenda, I just want to help," she said.

"What I hope to achieve if I was elected to council is that we just continue to grow the community forward.

"I think progress is great, but we shouldn't have it for the sake of it. It should be great for the region."

Mrs Barron said the facilities in Roma were second to none, and should be used to help grow the region.

"I think we can build on the facilities we have here to attract more people to the communities," she said.

"If you have good sporting facilities, you can attract more families. We already have a dog park, which is a great idea, but there are things that can be done to improve that.

"I just want to give back to my community."

.