Six people will run as Labor candidates for Byron Shire Council in the September 2021 election

The hopeful Labor mayor says the council needs a leader who “will drive a positive vision that puts our community at its heart”.

Asren Pugh, Linda Watson, Pete Doherty, Jan Hacket, Mel Franz and Kaylene Chamberlain will run as Labor candidates for Byron Shire Council in the September 2021 election.

Byron Labor’s candidates for the upcoming council election have been announced.

Asren Pugh has announced he is hopeful to be voted as Byron’s mayor and he will run alongside current councillor Jan Hackett and fellow candidates Linda Watson, Pete Doherty, Mel Franz and Kaylene Chamberlain.

Mr Pugh announced the Byron Labor ticket in a post on social media.

Another current Labor councillor, Paul Spooner, was absent from the list.

“In Byron Shire we need a mayor, and a council, that will drive a positive vision that puts our community at its heart,” Mr Pugh said in the post.

“That’s why I’ve decided to put myself forward as mayor along with a great Labor council team.

“I have worked for social and environmental change my whole life and want to give back to my community.

“I’m currently finishing my MBA and have the experience to lead a diverse and active council that can finally address some of the big issues we face.

“There are tough decisions that we need to make and there is a lot of work to do to push back on the extraordinary pressures on our towns.”

In the post, he reflected on the growing housing crisis the region has experienced.

“While I was growing up here, we paid about $180 per week for our three-bedroom home in Baywood Chase on the income of a single mum casual teacher,” he said.

“Of course things change but the current housing crisis is ripping the heart out of community.

“We need a real housing plan that provides different types of accommodation that is more affordable and rejects endless land releases as any sort of solution.”

Mr Pugh said the council “needs a stronger and more respectful relationship with the Arakwal people that acknowledges their sovereignty of this country and supports them to live, work, practice and celebrate culture, and care for the land”.

He said his vision for the shire includes a reduced reliance on cars and more accessible public transport.

“We are lucky to live in the most beautiful part of the world, but we risk losing what makes it special if we don’t take action,” he said.