TRRA meet the candidates forum in Nelson Bay opens floor to east ward council hopefuls on Tomaree issues

Members of the community are invited to attend Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association's meet the candidates forum at Nelson Bay Bowling Club on Monday, November 15, starting in the Nelson Room at 7pm.

"The objective is to provide an opportunity for [candidates] to introduce themselves to the voting public, to provide a brief statement of their priorities for the coming term of council and to answer questions on matters of concern to residents and ratepayers," the TRRA said.

The TRRA will ask candidates to respond to three areas of concern specific to the Tomaree Peninsula.

Question one: Height limits

What is your position on enforcing strict height limits on new buildings and particularly in places like Nelson Bay to ensure they do not breach the tree line on the surrounding hills and ridges, when viewed from the foreshore? What are your views on Shoal Bay and Salamander/Soldiers Point future character. Do you favour more high rise in these areas?

Question two: Transparency, access and accountability

Transparency and access are seen as a major issue with many ratepayers and residents. Providing easy access to DAs and allowing a sufficient exhibition period, transparency in decision-making and budgeting, the ability for matters to be brought before Council and the accountability of councillors for their voting decisions have all been eroded over recent years. Do you agree with these assertions and if so, how do you propose to rectify these issues?

Question three: Tomaree gateway

How do you feel about the attractiveness or otherwise of the 'gateway' into the Tomaree from the airport? What do you think are the issues (if any) and if you see there is a problem, would you support a strategy, budget and project to rectify the problems and how would you approach it?'

Where Candidates are standing with a group, due to time constraints, the TRRA is only offering the lead candidate an opportunity to speak but they will be asked to identify and introduce the other members of their group.

As the two mayoral candidates, Leah Anderson and Ryan Palmer, are also running as councillor in east ward, the TRRA is inviting their number two on the ballot paper to make a brief presentation.

"The number two candidate in these circumstances has a good chance to be elected to council if their lead is elected to be mayor, so members of the public will be interested in their priorities," the association said.

Each candidate will be given three minutes (five minutes for mayoral candidates) to introduce themselves and their policy platform.

They will each be invited to address the TRRA's three questions (three minutes on each).

Each candidate will be given a one minute 'right of reply' on any issues raised when talking on the three questions.

The floor will be open to questions from attendees.

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