Municipal elections

Area A candidate calls for greater rural representation

Sep 23, 2026 | 1:18 PM

SALMON VALLEY — Greg Austman says a sense of civic duty and a desire for stronger rural representation prompted him to enter the race for Electoral Area A Director in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

Austman is challenging incumbent Victor Mobley in the area, which includes Salmon Valley and surrounding lake communities.

The longtime area resident says voter participation is one of his biggest concerns. Austman noted that only 267 people cast ballots in the last regional district election despite roughly 3,500 residents living in the electoral area.

He says residents need to become more engaged in decisions that affect how their tax dollars are spent.

Austman is also advocating for responsible development, particularly around lakefront properties, waterways and agricultural land.

“I’d like to ensure that we have responsible development,” he said. “I’d like to protect our lakefront and waterways from further overdevelopment and protect our farmland for much-needed agricultural production.”

On a regional level, Austman points to the ongoing debate over a helipad at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. as a key issue. Coming from a construction and industrial background, he says northern residents deserve equal access to emergency health care services.

“The only regional hospital without a helipad is unacceptable,” he said.

A tradesman and electrician, Austman has lived in Prince George for about 20 years and spent the past decade in Electoral Area A. Much of his career has involved building and upgrading sawmills in rural communities.

If elected, Austman says he plans to be accessible and engaged with residents while advocating for responsible growth and economic opportunities.

“I want to be a strong voice for the rural residents of our area,” he said.