Tweed Shire Council 2021 election lead candidates
Here are the 58 people vying for a seat at the Tweed Shire Council table.
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On December 4 there will be 58 candidates vying for a seat at the Tweed Shire Council table after an almost year-and-a-half election delay.
There are thirteen groups and two ungrouped candidates this election.
Current sitting councillors Katie Milne and Ron Cooper will not be running this term, while the remaining incumbents hope for another term on the council.
Here are the groups running this election:
Group A
Lead candidate: Bill Fenelon
Previous state Greens candidate Bill Fenelon is trying his hand at politics again, this time in local government.
Although affiliated with the Greens, Mr Fenelon will be running as an independent.
Mr Fenelon strongly advocates the reintroduction of rail transport and will fight to prevent destruction of the rail corridor while supporting healthy transport alternatives and extensive safe bicycle paths.
He founded the Tweed Valley Sailing Club and mentors youth as Captain of the Tallship “South Passage” and is a licenced Master Mariner and International Sea Captain and commands the passenger ship “Caledonian Sky” on voyages around the world.
Mr Fenelon supports the creation of local jobs through sustainable business development, will support farmers in pursuit of rural land reforms, and will seek a solution to local homelessness.
He is motivated by his deep desire to help the council function effectively to meet the needs of the community.
Other candidates:
Carolyn Rifello
A retired educator, Ms Rifello lives at Terragon, near Uki, with her assistance dog Bunyip.
She is an avid bush regenerator and is concerned about protecting the environment and water resources.
She believes the council should be accessible to the community and work towards equitable policies.
Rainer Glasker
Mr Glasker has been developing a permaculture place on a land-sharing property near Kunghur.
He cares deeply about healthy community connections and a healthy environment.
He participates in many community groups, despite having to use a wheelchair, thanks to an accident in the 1980s.
Susan Greer
Dr Susan Greer moved to Banora Point after retiring from university teaching and research.
She supports a number of social groups in the Tweed and is also concerned with the protection of the forests, environment, and native species.
Her vision includes the creation and implementation of sustainable villages and communities within the shire.
Group B
Lead candidate: Meredith Dennis
Previous winner of Citizen of the Year in the Tweed Shire Council Australia Day Awards, Meredith Dennis has put her name in the ring for the council election.
Ms Dennis is a volunteer and head of the Tweed Palliative Support Group and the Wedgetail Retreat community hospice.
She has volunteered for the organisation since 1998 and has received an Order of Australia Medal for her work.
Ms Dennis said her motivation for running for council was to protect koala habitat and prevent overdevelopment on the Tweed Coast.
She also has concerns with water mining and would like to see more women on the council.
Other candidates:
Jennifer Hayes
This year’s citizen of the year, Jennifer Hayes is part of Team Koala which does a lot of work in looking after and protecting koala habitat.
Ms Hayes has also worked as a teacher.
Edna Gorton
Known as a grandmother figure in Murwillumbah, Edna Gorton spends her time volunteering at different op shops.
She is supportive of looking after the Tweed environment and lifestyle.
Annah Piggott-McKellar
Annah Piggott-McKellar is an environmental research fellow who has recently been working on the Great Barrier Reef.
She stands for protecting the local beaches and waterways.
Group C
Lead candidate: Peter Cumming
With a history in Town Planning, Peter Cumming hopes to get elected to brighten up the region.
Mr Cumming said if elected he would be focused on getting “win-wins” between development and the environment for the Tweed.
“We’ve got a beautiful region, but I don’t think our town development matches the beauty of our region,” Mr Cumming said.
He said he was also supportive of eco-tourism, building a solar farm and encouraging solar use, affordable housing and supporting local farmers.
Other candidates: Bob Wallis, Margaret Houghton, Greg O’Connor
Group D
Lead Candidate: Chris Cherry
Incumbent Mayor Chris Cherry is vying for another term at the table after being elected mayor in 2020.
Ms Cherry, running as an independent, has been supportive of environmental policy, including declaring a climate emergency earlier this year.
She has also pushed for more affordable housing in the region and declared a housing emergency in the Tweed.
Ms Cherry has previously helped run her family’s caravan park before being elected in 2016.
Other Candidates:
Lindy Smith
Ms Smith is a long-time community advocate on issues such as the airport expansion and protecting community land.
She believes in proper due process, and sustainability of the region’s land, water and natural resource assets.
Julie Boyd
Ms Boyd is an educator at all levels from preschool to university, has owned small businesses and has been managing director and CEO of international corporations.
She is a passionate advocate for local Tweed issues including appropriate and sustainable development.
Kristie Trudgett
Ms Trudgett is an educator and youth-advocacy campaigner.
She has worked on cross-border policing issues, organised Battle of the Bands from 2011-2017 and has been campaigning on local issues for years.
Trevor White
Mr White is a founding member of the Tweed Water Alliance Inc, building designer and Chair of the local Chapter of the Building Designers Association of Australia.
He is passionate about ensuring the community voice is heard on protecting our local water from over-extraction and water-mining.
Group E: Liberal
James Owen
Incumbent Liberal councillor James Owen said protecting the Tweed Shire’s unique environment and way of life must be the council's number one priority.
"We are the Tweed Coast, not the Gold Coast and we all want it to stay that way," Mr Owen said.
He said measures such as limiting building heights in key areas would ensure the region didn't experience Gold Coast style development.
"We need to find a balance between protecting and preserving our environment and state significant farmland, and maintaining our unique way of life whilst catering for the growing population by ensuring we have the homes, services, infrastructure, and lifestyle opportunities for our community for generations to come," Mr Owen said.
Other candidates: Rhiannon Brinsmead, Dudley Horscroft, Freda Wilding
Group F
Lead Candidate: Letitia Kelly
Proud Minyungbal woman of the Bundjalung nation Letitia Kelly is hopeful to be the first Indigenous woman elected onto the Tweed Shire Council.
Ms Kelly has lived in Fingal her whole life, previously working as a police officer and now works in the health sector.
In her spare time she also coaches at the Cudgen Rugby League Club and is a big advocate for women in positions of power.
If elected she will focus on housing – especially for victims of family and domestic violence – and environmental issues.
Other candidates:
Lori Scinto
Crystal Creek resident Lori Scinto is an entrepreneur with a master’s degree in conservation biology.
Ms Scinto has worked in conservation, business, information technology, and community services and is currently working to create a sanctuary for wildlife as well as domestic rescue animals.
Dolly Tuku-Tuku -Kwarri
Dolly Tuku-Tuku-Kwarri is an Aboriginal Traditional Owner of the Tweed LGA and a descendant of one of the largest South Sea islander families in the region.
Her family has a long history in the Tweed including having a hill named for her great grandmother, “Fanny Togo Hill” in Cudgen, which was given to the family for service on the farm.
Marian Van Gestel
Holland-born Marian Van Gestal has lived in Australia for more than 40 years where she has two children and five grandchildren.
She is committed to the preservation and protection of the environment for the benefit of her grandchildren and all those who follow.
Group G
Lead Candidate: Barry Longland
Former Tweed Mayor Barry Longland is vying to get back onto the council this election after losing his spot in 2016.
Mr Longland is known for sacking his general manager, David Keenan, claiming Mr Keenan was disloyal to the council at the time.
Mr Longland said if elected he would try to bring “balance” back to the council to try and find a middle ground on upcoming major projects such as the Kings Forest and Cobaki Lakes.
Other candidates: Dot Holdom
Another former councillor, Dot Holdom from Kingscliff was the first to put her hand up to support Mr Longland’s campaign.
Ms Holdom also hopes to help the council find a middle ground on major decisions going forward.
Wendy Shannon
Oncology nurse Wendy Shannon is known in the Cabarita, Bogangar community for her work fundraising for cancer support.
Michael Doherty
Ms Shannon’s partner Michael Doherty will also be running in the group.
He has worked as a bricklayer and ran second-hand goods stores.
Group H
Lead candidate: Warren Polglase
Longstanding councillor Warren Polglase is hoping to get re-elected for another term.
Mr Polglase has served as a councillor since 1991 sitting as mayor between 2001 and 2005 and again in 2009.
Although Mr Polglase will run as an independent, he is a member of the National party.
He also is the president of the Tweed Chamber of Commerce and advocates for supporting small business in the region and “family values”.
Other candidates:
John Weaver
A Tweed based regional manager, Mr Weaver has done service with Tweed Chamber of Commerce, Tweed Byron Police Community Safety Committee, local councils, Surf Life Saving NSW, Racing NSW and Telstra Child Flight.
John Murray
Mr Murray is a former Tweed Councillor with extensive leadership experience including the Banora Point Residents Association, Tweed Chamber of Commerce, Tweed Business Excellence Awards, Northern NSW Business Chamber, Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal and NSW Justices Association.
Tony Worrad
Mr Worrad is a founding owner of multi award-winning Tweed employer Northern Rivers Signs.
He is also the former president of Murwillumbah Central Rotary Club, involved with Tweed Chamber of Commerce and a celebrated charity bike ride organiser.
Group I: The Greens
Nola Firth
Hoping to replace existing Greens councillor Katie Milne, Dr Firth says she has big shoes to fill.
The former teacher plans to follow in the footsteps of Ms Milne, advocating for zero emissions by 2030.
If elected she plans to work on protecting the environment, creating bicycle networks and walkways, to stand against the Chinderah Greyhound racetrack and look after rural land.
Other candidates:
Joanna Gardener
A Uki resident of 40 years, Ms Gardener wants to stop the Tweed becoming an “extension of the Gold Coast.”
She has been actively involved with looking after the environment including co-ordinating the local Landcare group for 12 years.
As a small business owner Ms Gardener understands the challenges the business community has faced and believes she has the ability to listen to constituents.
Patricia Mann
Ms Mann has lived in the Tweed Valley since 1980.
She believes climate change is the most fundamental threat of our time and believes Green-thinking councillors will do their utmost to promote a healthy environment and sensible economy for our community.
Julianne Sandison
Group J
Lead candidate: Matthew Karlos
Owner of Eniflat Pty Ltd, a water extraction business, Matthew Karlos has put his hand up for a seat at the table.
Mr Karlos has come up against the Tweed Shire Council a number of times, including when he was ordered to stop pumping water at the company’s Urliup Road property in 2018 and when the council blocked a helicopter pad development application which Mr Karlos successfully fought in court.
Mr Karlos said he stands for “less government interference, more local jobs to keep families together, more affordable housing and more economic and tourism development.”
Other candidates: Robert Dawes, Larry Karlos, Sue Karlos
Group K
Lead Candidate: Pryce Allsop
Currently sitting councillor Pryce Allsop will fight to keep his seat this election.
Mr Allsop, running as an independent, stands to remove red tape, support local business, sport and community events, deliver affordable and sustainable housing options that are practical, realistic and beneficial to our community, protect and enhance the natural, environmental, heritage and cultural values of the Tweed; and breakdown the "single-minded one-way thoughts and objectives of other councillors (namely the greens and greens allies)."
Mr Allsop also runs All Home Products and Improvements which sells hot water, electric, gas, heat pump and solar products.
Other candidates:
Colin Brooks
A fourth generation farmer and president of the Tweed Rural Industries Association for over 30 years, Mr Brooks has been on many council advisory committees, presently representing Lismore MP Janelle Saffin on the local traffic committee.
Mr Brooks believes his life experience and knowledge of the Tweed would make him a significant contribution to Tweed Shire if elected to council.
William Larkin
Bill Larkin is the Owner of Larkins Electrical, a business that has been established for numerous years. Bill Larkin has served and represented Tweed in numerous ways.
Brent Saddler
Brent Saddler, also known as Sootie Saddler, is a local sporting identity with connections to numerous sports within the Tweed over many many years.
He has represented NSW in touch football and is a well respected family man.
He has coached and played hockey at high level and is manager of several departments of Tweed's well known JH Williams Group of businesses and stores.
Jeffrey Gosel
Mr Gosel is a rural land owner and is the Owner of Gosel Buses.
Hel has been providing bus and coach services to the Tweed for approximately 20 years.
Group L: Labor
Lead Candidate: Reece Byrnes
Deputy Mayor Reece Byrnes plans to energise the Tweed's economic recovery, to build up the communities and to protect the precious environment.
"As a community, we have faced many challenges. We have seen floods and fires, and now we work through the challenges of the ongoing COVID crisis.
"Despite these continued challenges, as your Deputy Mayor, together we’ve achieved so much for our Shire," he said.
"With the COVID-19 crisis still holding back our economy, local jobs and our livelihoods, Tweed Shire needs a team on your side, working with you to drive our economic recovery."
Other candidates: Russell Logan, Judith Choat, Robert Learmonth, Marie-Antoinette Rogers, Peter Ruhanen
Group M
Lead candidate: Leigh Thomas
Sydney-born owner of Valley Clean a Car company Leigh Thomas is another election hopeful.
Mr Thomas told the Tweed Daily News he would be advocating for water security in the region, including for Byrrill Creek Dam, less “green issues” and getting back to council basics such as roads and water.
He hopes to help “grow” the Tweed by pushing for major companies to operate head offices in the area to generate more jobs and for the Tweed Valley Hospital to be larger.
Other candidates: Marianne Melnikas, Joshua Szabados, Rodger Scott, John Thomas
Ungrouped
James McKenzie
Murwillumbah farmer James McKenzie is having a third go at running for council this election.
Mr McKenzie has had long-running disputes with different levels of government, including the Tweed Shire Council, alleging they “misused funds and stolen Wollumbin as the heritage and name of (his) family’s mountain and applied it as a fake Aboriginal name to Mt Warning”.
Mr McKenzie hopes to get elected to “expose the scandals.”
Nathan Jones
High schoolteacher and farmer Nathan Jones has thrown his hat in the ring as the “protest vote”.
Mr Jones said he would advocate beyond removing border controls and with an ultimate goal of removing state governments within the next 10 to 20 years using Tweed as the starting point.
Mr Jones also hopes to work on the housing crisis by creating a way locals can buy their first home in the Tweed.
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