Labor candidates in the September 14 election have signed an Accountability and Transparency Pledge and have challenged other candidates to do the same.
Team leader Belinda Neal said accountability, transparency and access to information are essential principles that underpin local democracy.
Labor candidates have pledged to: provide open and accountable local government on the Central Coast; and increase public participation in council decision-making.
Neal, who leads the Gosford West ward team, said candidates were concerned that since elected councillors were replaced by an administrator there had not been enough accountability to the community.
Residents and ratepayers have not been able to genuinely participate in decision making, she said.
“Labor Team candidates also believe that decision making should be transparent and open so that ratepayers are able to understand and participate in the decisions of council,” she said.
Budgewoi ward candidate Joy Cooper said she had experienced first-hand the struggle to receive factual information from Council rather than “shallow marketing spin with no facts”.