Stand up for your LGA
On September 9, voters in the Local Government Areas of Port Stephens, Dungog, Maitland and Newcastle will be asked to go to the polls to elect new councils.
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I’m sure I don’t need to remind readers of this newspaper of the importance of local issues to the great quality of life in each of these Local Government Areas. Every edition provides concrete evidence that it is local issues which have the most impact on our day-to-day lives, and which help build strong, healthy communities.
That’s why I’m issuing this call for potential candidates of every age, gender and political allegiance to consider standing for council when nominations open on July 31.
Our sector has moved a long way beyond the hackneyed old ‘roads, rates and rubbish’. Local government employs 50,000 staff across the state, and has an annual spend of $10 billion. That means modern councillors are not only representing their communities but working together within a board-like structure to help govern multi-million dollar operations.
That’s why we need top-quality councillors from a wide variety of backgrounds, who are able to not only serve as the voice of their communities but operate at the strategic level to help deliver the first-rate services and infrastructure that communities need.
I’m writing today to urge anyone interested in contributing to the strength and growth of this state to consider standing for election when 46 councils go to the polls on September 9. Nominations open to prospective candidates on July 31 and close on August 9, so there is no time to waste.
Local government is one of the most direct, logical and practical paths to help improve the quality of life in any community – and we need men and women who are up to the job ahead.
I invite you to contact your local council to find out what’s involved; many are actually running pre-election briefings for potential candidates in conjunction with the sector’s peak body Local Government NSW, of which I am an elected director.
The best possible candidates means the best possible representation – and that means the real winners will be the people of the local community, and of NSW as a whole.
Clr Yvonne Keane
Director, Local Government NSW, Councillor, The Hills Shire Council
Seeking information
I am seeking information about the former Port Stephens Conservation Society and associated groups and their members.
Information is needed for a registry of historical events in Port Stephens including the main players in those events which have been major challenges for local communities and their natural environments possibly dating from the 1950s. Should you have relevant information please contact: dedawson27@gmail.com or on 0403 036 007.
Darrell Dawson,
Nelson Bay
Why no advert?
Port Stephens Council’s article [July 20] ‘Informe’ gave a glowing account of how our council keeps the community informed.
Quote: “ We will keep you informed here in print”.
Rightly so, as mentioned, many residents do not have access to digital channels.
The article also said: “The most important thing is the continued conversation between Council and the Port Stephens community on every issue”.
Why then, was the current Development Application for 31 and 31A Leonard Avenue, Shoal Bay not publicly advertised in the Examiner or Planning Alerts for our community to consider?
The previous DA was subsequently withdrawn amidst massive backlash from our community. Hundreds signed a petition and many wrote submissions voicing their objections to such a massive build in one of our quiet residential streets of Shoal Bay.
Russell Williams
Shoal Bay