Election fever is ramping up in the region as the countdown continues to the September 14 local government election for new Central Coast councillors.
As residents prepare to go to the polls for the first time since 2017 to elect local representatives, Coast Community News is committed to making sure they are privy to as much information as possible before the big day.
In our print edition this week we will continue our pre-election coverage with the latest pledges by candidates and a rundown on the ballot papers for each ward.
Next week we will present a full listing of all candidates in each of the five wards, with headshots and brief policy statements from all who provide them.
Next week’s Forum page will also be devoted to election-related letters from readers.
As we have 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 could be forgiven for being a little confused with so many candidates in the running, but CCN is committed to making as much information available as possible to help voters in making informed decisions.
With so many contributions coming in from candidates, some have been truncated for inclusion in our print coverage, but statements and pledges can be accessed in full on our website: coastcommunitynews.com.au/council
Candidates are reminded to submit a headshot and two-sentence policy statement to ccn@centralcoastnews.net by September 9 if they want to be included in our candidate summary.
Is it just me, or do others recognise some of the names above being the same as those who put this council into administration several years ago? This deadwood should stand aside and allow those who are more qualified, more responsible, not to mention financially, to run for council. If those above are voted in again, we’re all screwed (again)
Absolutely agree we need fresh new faces without the big party, developer interest or one trick agendas. Councils focus should be public services such as health, roads, drains, sewage, water and waste management which all seem to have been forgotten by this lot.