Despite the state government’s bungled local government reform with it’s dubious ‘Fit for the Future’ review leading to a failed forced amalgamation process, elections for Port Stephens Council will now proceed (a year late) on Saturday, September 9.
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Ratepayers and residents are looking for representatives who will consult properly with them on their ideas for this beautiful area and strongly represent that view on council on behalf of the residents.
They are pretty much over the voting blocs, defamation proceedings and toxic code of conduct machinations conducted in confidential sessions at council meetings.
They want respect for ratepayers, other councillors and staff, transparency, accountability and visionary long term master plans; not ad hoc decisions made to placate developer pressure.
Residents should take their responsibility to understand the issues facing their council very seriously and carefully choose from the candidates that are willing to consult at public meetings and forums.
They should be aware of the unintended consequences of the preference deals that are made in these contests which created the voting bloc in this council.
Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association will host a Meet the Candidates Forum at 7pm on August 15 in the auditorium of the Nelson Bay Bowling Club.
It follows a TRAA tradition developed in all federal, state and council elections since 2008.
There will be an impartial moderator and a timed question and answer format, which this time will be recorded on video and posted on YouTube.
All candidates will be invited to introduce themselves, and to allow the public to evaluate their aspirations to represent the community as a ward councillor, or mayor, and share their vision of what they would like to achieve in the next council.
TRRA would like to see the prospective councillors clearly state how they will consult with the ratepayers and residents of the East ward in the future.
The strategy for the Nelson Bay CBD and Foreshore is a case in point.
A recent decision on a DA in Church Street has in effect doubled the building height available to developers that we feel has set an unfortunate precedent.
Dick Appleby is a Nelson Bay resident and past president of the Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association.
