WIDENING the entire stretch of Nelson Bay Road to four lanes would be a priority for Liberal Party candidate for the state seat of Port Stephens, Ken Jordan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One week after winning preselection from his only rival, Jaimie Abbott, Mr Jordan said if elected he would be pushing to convert the main arterial road between Nelson Bay and Stockton into a dual carriageway.
"Roads are just one issue I will be campaigning on, but I want people to tell me what is important to them," the 44-year-old father-of-one from Osterley said.
"I have been fully briefed by [outgoing MP] Craig Baumann as to some of the major issues in the electorate and as of today I will be door-knocking homes and walking the streets talking with the people.
"As a longtime and hard working Port Stephens councillor I feel I have a strong sense of community expectations and I intend to work and campaign hard in the lead-up to the [March 28] election."
Mr Jordan was first elected to Port Stephens Council in 2004 after two failed attempts.
A product of the Catholic school system, Mr Jordan joined BHP as a fitter machinist before taking on the role of trainer.
When the steel giant closed in 1999, Mr Jordan studied teaching at Newcastle University and has spent the past 11 years at All Saints College in Maitland.
Mr Jordan followed his father, a longtime Country Party member, into politics.
He joined the Liberal Party in 2007 after befriending Mr Baumann and fellow councillor Steve Tucker.
"I am proud of my workrate as a representative on council," he said.
"I am also proud of council's achievements in turning its deficit into the black and cutting development application times," Mr Jordan said.
"I never not turn up for a meeting to which I have committed myself."
As for his controversial relationship with Buildev co-founder and director Darren Williams, Mr Jordan is unrepentant.
"Mr Williams has been a friend of mine for many years, our parents were friends, and it will be a sad day when a [politician] has to break a friendship because of their position," he said.
"Since the change in legislation four years ago, saying that [a councillor] could not vote on applications from a 'significant friend' I have declared my interest and refrained from voting.
"But prior to four years ago, yes I did vote on Buildev applications."
Mr Jordan won the preselection ballot 21 votes to 16.
