Addressing tree clearing in the Camden Haven was highlighted as an issue which was important to residents after two people asked the mayoral hopefuls questions in relation to it.
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Candidates Sharon Griffiths, Lisa Intemann, Peta Pinson and Rob Turner attended the Meet the Candidates evening on July 20 at the Laurieton United Services Club. Lauren Edwards was not present.
Each candidate was given five minutes to address the audience on their approach to the mayor role. They spoke in order of where they are positioned on the ballot paper for the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayoral by-election.
Cr Griffiths said she does not believe in rate rises.
“I think we should be saving money before we actually look to the rate payer to pay for maybe poor management that’s happened in the past,” she said.
Cr Griffith said council has saved $250 million in reserves.
“Really what we should be doing now is spending it,” she said.
After five terms of being on council Cr Intemann said she knows what works, what is going well and what needs to be improved.
Cr Intemann said she believed in going forward with continuous and subtle improvements within the organisation.
She said it was important during the period of growth which is impacting the Port Macquarie-Hastings to have a mayor who is experienced and has close relationships with community members.
Ms Pinson said accountability is something which is very important to her and should be important to council operations.
“Without accountability it compromises delivery,” she said.
Ms Pinson said the information within council walls belongs to the community.
“The door of the mayor’s office would always be open,” she said.
Cr Turner said he wants to become mayor to help maintain the beautiful environment of the Port Macquarie-Hastings.
“The growth provides opportunity but it also provides great challenges,” he said.
“As mayor I want to make sure that council is up for those challenges and deals with this growth in a way that doesn’t ruin what we have here.”
Mayoral hopefuls were quizzed on issues which included tree clearing, climate change, council’s consultation, efficiency gains and rate rises. Voters will go to the polls on July 29.