NSW Local Government elections: Dubbo councillors to run

A popular country councillor (not pictured below) is calling it quits to spend more time with his family ahead of the NSW council elections in September.

Almost half of the current crop of Dubbo councillors say they’ll stand for election again, however the same number claim they haven’t made a final decision.

Councillors Greg Mohr, Dayne Gumley, Kevin Parker and Vicki Etheridge told The Dubbo News they plan to stand again when council elections are held across NSW on September 4.

Dubbo mayor Ben Shields has not decided on whether or not he will contest the election. Picture: Ryan Young

Despite disunity and a series of scandals engulfing council, Cr Parker said he still enjoyed the role.

“It’s certainly not an easy task but one that I do enjoy and I will be standing again,” he said.

Cr Vicki Etheridge ran as part of the Ben Shields team in the 2017 election, along with Cr’s Gumley and Mohr.

She said she would stand again but is not expected to run as a member of any potential Cr Shields team, after she was one of six councillors who publicly called on him to stand down as mayor because of conduct concerns.

Cr’s Mohr and Gumley have not said if they would run as part of Cr Shields’s team however the pair have remained supportive of him throughout the recent council controversies.

Dubbo councillor John Ryan says more needs to be done for the people of Dubbo. Picture: Ryan Young

Cr Shields has denied wrongdoing and is fighting to clear his name after he was called to stand down and numerous complaints about his alleged conduct were made.

He is understood to be mulling over his future plans and has not said if he will contest the election.

Deputy mayor Stephen Lawrence says he too remains undecided about whether or not he’ll stand for election.

“It’s been a difficult time and I’ll make a decision later,” Cr Lawrence said.

Dubbo councillor Jane Diffey says she's undecided about her plans. Picture: Ryan Young

Cr’s Jane Diffey, Anne Jones and John Ryan said they have also not made a final decision about whether they will stand.

“It’s a soul destroying role, yet there is so much that needs to be done in Dubbo,” Cr Ryan said.

Wellington-based councillor David Grant wants to spend more time with his family. Picture: Ryan Young

Popular Wellington councillor David Grant was the only councillor to confirm he would not stand for election.

“I have been on council for 12 years, eight years under the old Wellington council and four in this council,” Cr Grant said.

“I want to spend more time with my young family as they get involved with more and more things.”

No other candidates have publicly confirmed their intention to contest the election.

A NSW Office of Local Government spokesman said by-elections would need to be held if 10 or more people did not stand for election.

“If the number of candidates nominating for a council election is less than the number of offices to be filled all candidates will be declared elected and by-elections will need to be held within three months to fill the remaining vacancies,” the spokesman said.

“Candidate nominations for the upcoming local government elections open on Monday July 26.”