FORMER Goldfields councillor, parliamentarian and police officer David Grills has lived in Mundaring for a year with his family and says he wants to bring his experience to local council.

Mr Grills began his working life as a cabinet maker before taking up a trade as a motor mechanic.

He later joined the police force, serving in Kalgoorlie and Leonora, where he became involved with youth programs and community activities that led to him standing for council.

He went on to serve twice as a councillor in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and once in the Shire of Leonora, before being elected to the WA Parliament in 2013 as a Nationals MP for the Mining and Pastoral Region.

Alongside his parliamentary work, he also served as a Justice of the Peace, worked as a major crash investigator, and rose to the rank of sergeant in the Army Reserve.

“Everything I’ve done has given me experience in listening, looking at the bigger picture, and being honest with people about what can and can’t be achieved,” he said.

Now settled in the Hills, Mr Grills said he values the lifestyle and community spirit of Parkerville.

“It’s a great place to live, different to the Goldfields for sure,” he said.

“You can walk the back roads, enjoy the bush and the quiet, but it’s also a strong community. I think if you can value that, you should give something back.”

Mr Grills said his priorities included opposing the North Stoneville development and the mining of the Darling Range, reviewing the FOGO system, and ensuring sustainable development.

He also pointed to traffic and road safety as issues raised with him by residents, drawing on his background in major crash investigations and road safety audits.

“Roads are often the last thing governments spend money on, but I’ve seen first-hand the cost when safety is neglected,” he said.

“I’d much rather put in the work to prevent accidents than deal with the consequences afterwards.”

Mr Grills said he had been using community conversations and social media to connect with residents.

“Local government should be about keeping your feet on the ground and talking to people directly,” he said.

Reflecting on his time in state parliament, Mr Grills said he does not belong to any political party and has no intention of seeking a return to state politics.

“What you see is what you get,” he said.

“I’m running because I believe local government has the greatest potential to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Mr Grills said looking ahead, his goal was to contribute as an effective member of the council team.

“Experience counts, but so does listening,” he said.

“If I’m fortunate enough to be elected, I’ll do my very best for the community of Mundaring.”