Coast heads for the polls

In just two more days, residents will head for the polls to elect new councillors for Central Coast Council for the first time since 2017.

The election follows years of administration following Council’s declaration of financial strife in 2020 and the subsequent sacking of councillors.

While many have completed pre-poll voting since it opened on September 7, the vast majority of residents will cast their vote this Saturday, September 14.

With 77 candidates standing over the five wards, voters will be presented with many choices and are being urged by retiring Council Administrator Rik Hart to think carefully.

Hart said it was important that residents consider what’s being proposed by candidates and the impacts these proposals may have.

“Ideally, candidates will be concerned about matters that benefit the whole of the Central Coast and align with the work that’s been done to restore Council’s financial situation,” he said.

“Voters must be aware of promises being made during election campaigning that may potentially affect financial resources or compromise projects currently being delivered.”

He said candidates whose campaign focuses on a single issue may be making “unfunded” promises with no guarantee of support from a full Council.

As previously reported, there are four former mayors and six other former councillors among the 77 candidates, which has sparked some debate within the community.

Among the candidates are former Wyong mayor Doug Eaton, former Wyong mayor Greg Best, former Gosford mayor Lawrie McKinna and former Central Coast Council mayor Jane Smith.

Former councillors set to stand are Kyle MacGregor, John McNamara, Sue Wynn, Dee Bocking, Trevor Drake and Belinda Neal, who is also a former NSW senator and Federal Member for Robertson.

Residents will also be asked to vote yes or no in a referendum proposing a reduction of council numbers on the Central Coast from 15 to nine from 2028.

This would see the current five wards reduced to three.

It is important that voters check carefully how they need to mark their ballot papers by reading the instructions at the top of each form.

On pages 31-34 of this issue we present a full listing of candidates in each ward, with headshots and policy statements from those who have provided them.

You can access all election-based stories on our website: coastcommunitynews.com.au/council