One of the constant criticisms by Port Stephens residents of the current council has been the lack of public consultation on some of the area's biggest issues, including the proposed rate rise, paid parking in Nelson Bay CBD and the unsightly and unpopular parklets.

Mayoral candidate Leah Anderson said it had been made clear to her that the Port Stephens community was not being consulted with often enough on the important issues.

"If elected I will be ensuring that feedback from the community is listened to and acted upon," she said.

"Residents can be assured that consultation would be a priority for all controversial Development Applications, and all changes in the community that have the potential to have a major impact on people's lives.

"When this council imposed parklets on the people of Shoal Bay with insufficient community consultation, it started a months-long campaign by local residents just to be heard. I will not ever put our local community in a position where they need to get out and campaign just to be heard."

Ms Anderson said that DAs with significant opposition from the community would automatically have their submission period extended to allow the community to have their say," she said.

"Any changes to community infrastructure that will have an impact on the way people access their communities, will have consultation - a practice that is not happening now.

"I will always listen to the community and deliver on their expectations. Our community is made up of thousands of people, and their voices are extremely important."

West ward councillor Giacomo Arnott said that the approach by the current council to community consultation had been abysmal.

"I have dedicated an enormous amount of my time on council listening to people who say Mayor Ryan Palmer and his council have failed to consult with and listen to them," he said.

"Hopefully after December 4, the dark days of council ruling over the community with no consultation will be over. Councillors exist to serve the people, not to impose their will on them."

Labor's central ward candidate Jason Wells said that there were incredible ideas being thought up every day by people in the local community, and listening to those ideas was the only way the council could get it right.

"I certainly don't think I have all the answers to everything, which is why listening to the community is essential. Our team will give our community its voice back."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: