Byron councillor says the current term could be ‘never ending’ but hopes election will go ahead in December

He is among a number of Northern Rivers councillors who are not running for re-election and are waiting out the end of the term, which has been extended twice.

Byron Councillor Paul Spooner.

When New South Wales residents last went to the polls to decide their local government representatives, the prospective councillors were prepared for the four year term ahead.

But that term has been dragging out; originally scheduled for September 2020, then delayed a year, the council elections have been pushed out a further three months.

They will now be held on December 4.

Paul Spooner is the one remaining Byron Shire councillor who will not be running for re-election, after former mayor Simon Richardson stepped down from his role earlier in the year.

“It is disappointing that the election is not going to be held in September,” Mr Spooner said.

“Given the current circumstances, it would have been nice if (the delay) had been restricted to the Sydney area given they’re the area under lockdown at the moment.”

Mr Spooner said he hoped the election would finally go ahead on December 4.

“I would hope that they hold the election then and ensure that there’s plenty of online options for people,” he said.

He said it would also be prudent to ensure ample pre-polling options to reduce crowds.

“You can’t keep delaying democracy,” Mr Spooner said.

“We’re in danger of becoming the never-ending council.

“I think it is up to the state government and the Minister for Local Government to be dealing with those matters now.

“It’s not a surprise that we’re in this circumstance given what has been going on.

Mr Spooner said there was “no doubt” the extra three months would give the current council more opportunity to get things done before the new term.

But he said it was “imperative” for the new council to be able to get to work.

If the election proceeds when it is now scheduled in December, the next term will only run for two years and eight months before voters go back to the polls.

“The next term is going to be shortened and that’s what you want to avoid,” Mr Spooner said.

“I think what happens is council is very much a collective effort (with) collective decision making of the council body itself.

“The really effective decisions are when councils are moving in one direction.”

He said one issue that stuck in his mind as not working in that way was plans for the rail corridor.

“Where you don’t have councillors working in the one direction, things basically lay unresolved,” he said.

Mr Spooner said he was surprised by the second election postponement, but he has committed to stick it out until December.

“I was very surprised the first time it was extended for a year,” he said.

“Being in an elected position, I felt I was responsible … to continue to the end of the term.

“I will be staying through to December because I feel that’s part of the role that I take on when you put yourself forward for these positions, that you will fulfil them.

“There’d be many councillors in the same position.

“I see it as a privilege, to be honest, to be in this sort of position.

“It’s not something that I see as an imposition.”

Mr Spooner said when people cast their votes, they would be aiming for “a council that can work together with the community and not driving their own pet hobby horses based on philosophy or political party”.

“I do think they want council to be effective,” he said.

“Clearly affordable housing has become in recent times a dire need within the shire … so that will be front and centre, I think, in a lot of people’s minds.”