Labor welcomes new Port Stephens Council pairing in Peter Francis and Jason Wells

Mr Francis, who has resided in Raymond Terrace for more than 20 years and is the husband of former Labor councillor Glenys Francis, says he hoped his lifelong experiences would serve him well in the rough and tumble world of politics.

He said that he was pleased and honoured to win the support of residents of west ward, where he will sit alongside the more youthful Giacomo Arnott, who was re-elected with the highest number of votes and whose ALP preferences helped secure a seat for Mr Francis.

Independent Peter Kafer, a former councillor and Labor Party member, makes up the west ward contingent after Ken Jordan decided not to stand the Paul Le Mottee erred on his nomination form and was ruled out of the contest.

"I would like to bring some new-found respect to the council meetings and I will be looking to work collaboratively and in consultation with the community and the council staff to bring about change," Mr Francis, a semi-retired former electrician and electronic security professional, said.

"I believe that we as councillors need to show leadership and accountability. One of the major changes I would like to see in this term of council is better consultation with all residents of Port Stephens, and not just with the high end of town. We need to take notice of what the people are telling us and respond accordingly."

Mr Francis says he first joined the Labor Party in 1969 after being inspired by then ALP Leader Gough Whitlam, and has been a party member "on and off" over the past five decades. In 2012 he stood for west ward as an Independent candidate, finishing behind Kafer, Le Mottee and Jordan.

He has maintained strong connections with the area through his voluntary work with predominantly the Raymond Terrace Lions, where he has been a member for 15 years and currently holds the role of Lions' second vice-district governor.

He is chair of the Hunter New England Health Local Health Committee, has been a valued member of the Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens (10 years), Raymond Terrace Men's Shed (14 years) and Beyond Blue's Speaker Bureau.

"In west ward I will be looking to implement a better planning strategy for our roads maintenance program, including potholes and road resurfacing, and to tidy up the foreshore area," he said.

"I would like to see the council work collaboratively with the Lions, which has been responsible for many improvement there, and other community groups to ensure the park remains accessible to all. I am also keen to see the council meet more regularly with the local Aboriginal strategic committee in order to give them a voice in future planning and programs."

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Providing advocacy for people with disabilities and improving local sporting facilities through fundraising and grant writing were behind Jason Wells' decision to stand in the 2021 Port Stephens Council election.

As the number one pick on the Labor Party central ward ticket, the 43-year-old Medowie father of two and newcomer to the political arena and polled second top to take his place alongside experienced central ward incumbents Steve Tucker and Chris Doohan.

A Medowie resident of 16 years and assistant principal and teacher at Medowie Primary School, Mr Wells says he is not only well prepared for the job ahead but is adamant he wants to make a difference, particularly for the disabled, the elderly and less fortunate.

"I had worked with the outdoors staff at the Stockton Hospital while I studied teaching at Newcastle University, and it was while helping the hospital's welfare association with publicity and fundraising that I realised my opportunity to make a difference through advocacy," he said.

"Later I became president of Medowie Little Athletics club and during that time [five years] with the help of the committee we were able to receive funding to improve the facilities at Kindlebark Oval, which would benefit not only the sporting club but the entire Medowie community. We were able to upgrade the canteen facilities, provide seating and trees for shade and through a Hunter Water grant initiate a scheme to harness rainwater at the oval."

A former member of the Stockton Historical Society, Cr Wells said that ultimately it was the inspiration of Labor Party stalwarts State MP Kate Washington and [the late] Geoff Dingle who convinced him that he could make a difference in local government.

"I was aware of the volunteer work in the community of these and other Labor Party members, which gave me the confidence [to put his name forward]. I want to empower local community groups through grant writing and fundraising in order that they are able to make improvements and achieve their goals."

He said that the Port Stephens Council disability action plan would be a priority during his term.

"I want to make sure that we have conversation, transparency and planning in areas of policy and I will be advocating for better disabled and wheelchair access to our parks, car parks and pathways."

Mr Wells said that due to the central ward's geographical layout, each suburb had its own special needs.

"Karuah's needs are vastly different to those of say Anna Bay. Having said that I would like to see infrastructure spending on Karuah's footpaths and parks. Roadworks across the entire region are a big issue. I would like to see better planning with the resurfacing of roads and not just patch up jobs. Accessibility issues at Medowie's shared pathways is another priority."

He said that he would also be looking to improve the consultation process by "opening up the line of communication between the council and residents".

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