FOR locals there’s not much of a need to introduce Giacomo Arnott, he’s known as the young Councillor that fights for the underdog.

Giacomo has spent the last four years on Council, often in opposition to the majority of sitting councillors.

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Giacomo has been a West Ward Councillor on Port Stephens Council since September 2017, when he won the highest number of votes in the ward at his first election and became the youngest person ever elected to Port Stephens Council at 23 years old.

Giacomo is a professional Firefighter with Fire & Rescue NSW, having served with them for nearly five years and currently the Deputy Captain at the Raymond Terrace unit.

He has two degrees – one in Business and one in Law.

He has worked as an industrial lawyer for a public sector union for nearly two years.

Since being elected in 2017, Giacamo says he has focused on policies and positions that benefit the residents of Port Stephens.

He led a successful, solo campaign against the Council’s $690 rate rise proposal in 2019, which he says would have been devastating for family budgets on its own, let alone with the impact of COVID.

Giacomo Arnott told News Of The Area, “Some of the achievements I am proud of include rate reductions for residents living in the Williamtown PFAS Contamination red zone, working to improve transparency, holding Council to account, giving the public a glimpse into the workings of Council and always voting in the interests of the people, not corporate or developer interests.”

Giacomo grew up in Raymond Terrace and is a local through and through – he went to the local schools, his first job was in Raymond Terrace and he has volunteered for years to support those most vulnerable in the community.

Having lived and grown up in the community led Giacomo to his vision for the future of Port Stephens which he hopes to deliver on after the 2021 Election with Leah Anderson, his Mayoral running mate, and Jason Wells in Central Ward.

He says their vision is simple – they will listen, they will care about what residents are saying, and they will take action.

So far this action looks like fixing potholes with increased funding, giving residents green bins, improving public consultation, restoring transparency measures and always acting in the interests of locals.

Giacomo has a strong Facebook presence, where he personally manages his page, so you can always log in and have a chat or discussion with him on his posts or in private messages.

By Marian SAMPSON