One month to go: Port Stephens council election race shapes up as nomination close

Mr Palmer, an independent who is seeking to be elected for a second term as mayor and east ward councillor, and Ms Anderson, running for the same positions, will go head-to-head for the votes when residents go to the polls on Saturday, December 4.

Mr Palmer said it had been a privilege to work on behalf of his community for the past four years and is looking forward to continuing the "projects and progress" happening across the local government area.

"This is a short term of council. We have just three years to continue the great work achieved over this term," he said.

"I am very pleased to see experienced councillors ready to serve the Port Stephens community including Chris Doohan and Steve Tucker in central ward, Paul Le Mottee in west ward and Glen Dunkley in east ward.

"Running on my ticket in east ward will be long time locals and well respected community leaders Glen Dunkley, Bruce Scott, Natalie Vogtmann and Nicholas Diemar," he said.

Mr Palmer said he has five key areas of focus should he be re-elected in December: connection (continued investment into roads, pathways and accessible spaces for all), active (investment in sport facilities, parks, playgrounds and town centres), community (events, night time economy and connecting residents), environment (support for koalas, native species and waterways) and; prosperity (delivering projects for future generations, forming partnerships to deliver world class experiences).

Community consultation has become the rallying catchcry for the Port's Labor Party election candidates including Ms Anderson, current west ward councillor Giacomo Arnott, who is seeking re-election, and central ward candidate Jason Wells.

One of the constant criticisms by Port 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.

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

"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."

Councillors and mayoral nominations closed at noon on November 3.

Other residents who have declared that they will be running for a councillor position include independent Bill Doran, from Tanilba Bay, and Greens candidate Caitlin Spiller, from Lemon Tree Passage, for central ward.

The ballot draw to determine the order in which the candidates will appear on the voting forms was due to be held in Raymond Terrace on Thursday, November 4.

Pre-poll voting is set to open on November 22.

Residents who do not vote early will head to the polls on December 4 between 8am and 6pm. At the voting booth, Port residents will be asked to vote for a mayor and their preference for councillor in their ward.

Results in all NSW local government elections will be delivered progressively between December 21-23.

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