Litchfield mayoral candidates outline their priorities as Maree Bredhauer chases third term

With the local government elections right around the corner, incumbent Litchfield Mayor Maree Bredhauer has outlined why she believes she should get a third term.

LITCHFIELD Mayor Maree Bredhauer is sticking with a proven grassroots platform to lure votes to gain a third term.

But the incumbent leader since September 2015 faces a quirky gender imbalance twist against six male challengers to secure a third term.

Andrew Mackay, Mark Sidey, Doug Barden, Trevor Jenkins, Peter Cole and Matthew Salter are named on the ballot paper for her job in the Top End municipality.

Ms Bredhauer wants to maintain her “strong focus on community engagement”.

“I’ve got the experience, commitment to and understanding of our diverse community,” she said.

“I have and will provide a clear, determined voice at all levels of government and business to ensure quality decisions in planning, and asset management are in line with residents’ needs and interest.”

Litchfield mayor Maree Bredhauer is pursuing Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

She admits sourcing funds for roads, bike paths, community spaces and recreation facilities will be the challenge.

Andrew Mackay is entering the mayoral race on back of greater accountability after witnessing council meetings.

He is demanding a “return of a public facing council”.

“I have witnessed a complete disregard for community opinion on a number of issues, consistent lack of transparency around decision making and financials, and woeful treatment of community groups such as the Humpty Doo Village Green and Bowls Club. So I decided rather than sit on the side lines, I instead decided to put up my hand up,” he said.

Mr Mackay was also concerned about “land grabs” from Darwin and Palmerston.

Mark Sidey, an ex-Wagait Shire chief executive, said after moving to the Litchfield municipality in 2016, he plans to preserve its “rural lifestyle”.

But not at the expense of keeping rates low after municipal plans have authorised a five per cent rise that Mr Sidey says equates to a 45 per cent increase over the next five years and plans to double rates over the next 10 years.

Litchfield Councillor Doug Barden was on council for six years before taking a tilt at council. Picture: File.

“I will focus on the actual cost of essential service provision and minimise future rate increases,” he said.

Mr Sidey said this extends to red tape for local residents.

Doug Barden has decided to focus on the mayoral job after six years on council.

“I want to unite the council in order to work more cooperatively. An organisation is only as strong as the weakest link and I will work hard to strengthen that link,” he said.

After lobbying hard for the Mango roads project, the CLP member plans to seek government funding for the Mira Square lease agreement.

“My vision is to work within the budget and keep things affordable,” Mr Barden said. “I’ll do this by finding efficiencies across our organisation.”

Originally published as Litchfield mayoral candidates outline their priorities as Maree Bredhauer chases third term