Farmer of the year runs in Griffith council by-election

Mr Andreazza, who runs a 370 hectare grain farm at Willbriggie where he predominantly grow rice, wheat and corn, will stand in the Griffith City Council by-election to be decided on February 16.

“I’ve always said to people if you are critical of something and want to get something done, you do it yourself,” Mr Andreazza said.

“You need to stand up and not just voice it from the sideline.”

Mr Andreazza, who dedicated the award to his region, said winning had helped put Griffith back on the map.

“I love this place and my future is here, so I felt like it was now my time to have a go and help promote my community and encourage people to live here,” he said.

Mr Andreazza, whose family has also been supplying the variety of soft wheat, a key ingredient for Arnott's biscuits Tim Tams and Scotch Fingers for 50 years, said he wanted Griffith to be sustainable into the future. 

He said road infrastructure and investment into the region were at the top of his priority if elected onto council as well as working towards attracting a university campus to the city.

“It would be great for local companies to train up agronomists and vets,” he said.

The other candidates are Greg Adamson, Bill Lancaster, Maree Croxon, Roly Zappacosta, Mohannad Suleiman, Allan Bennett and Damien Marcus.