Four candidates run for Hills Shire mayor as voters prepare to go to the polls on September 9
HILLS residents will have the opportunity to elect their mayor for the first time in the council’s history at local government elections this weekend – and candidates are pulling out all stops in a last-ditch effort to secure votes.
Hills Shire
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HILLS residents will have the opportunity to elect their mayor for the first time in the council’s history at local government elections this weekend – and candidates are pulling out all stops in a last-ditch effort to secure votes.
The four candidates vying for the position of mayor spoke with the Times about issues that matter to their party and why residents should elect them.
Building Australia Party candidate Ray Brown said he would bring “strong, fresh and experienced leadership to council” if elected as mayor this weekend.
“Our policies include working with schools to provide parking for school pick-up and drop-offs and to stop the fines,” Mr Brown said.
“The ‘Garden’ Shire is losing its identity as the garden shire. We will push for a ‘botanical’ garden within the shire area including water features and a lake, as well as giving a rate reduction to the loyal ratepayers as the council has become a developer, with wrong priorities.”
He said he was determined to cut red tape, reduce council costs and “provide another voice for ratepayers besides the now major parties councillor monopoly”.
Independent mayoral candidate and current councillor Jeff Lowe said the Hills independent group wants to “remove the big-party politics from local government”.
“We believe in people before politics and this is what our entire campaign is based on,” Cr Lowe said.
“There isn’t enough checks and balances when you have two major parties in power, so we want to give the people of the shire the opportunity to elect a conservative alternative.
“If I was elected as mayor this weekend, I will be advocating what I call a community driven strategic plan. It will include a whole-government approach driven by community engagement and input. This input will drive the mindset of council.”
Cr Lowe said his approach to this election has been completely different from previous campaigns.
Councillor Tony Hay is running as the Labor mayoral candidate and said the election gave residents the opportunity to “restore balance to council”.
“In representative democracy you need a strong voice,” Cr Hay said.
“You need to fight for what your community values and to fight against bad state policy, and there’s plenty of that.
“You need a political adversary to the existing Liberal-dominated political bloc and a balance of councillors that can fearlessly take it up to the state and federal policy makers.
“This is a most important election being the first opportunity that you get to decide on who you want for Mayor, and I am asking for your vote.”
Liberal mayoral candidate and former mayor Michelle Byrne said: “I am a passionate advocate for creating a quality lifestyle for all residents, managing our population growth, ensuring that residents have access to infrastructure and service, creating an engaged community and ensuring that council remains fiscally responsible with community money,” Cr Byrne said.
“I am committed to ensuring The Hills remains the No.1 place to live, work and raise a family.
“I will be advocating to ensure council remains debt free and in a position to roll our infrastructure and services, upgrade our roads and infrastructure including lobbying State Government to bring forward the Memorial Ave and Norwest Boulevard upgrades as well as finding ways to improve traffic flow through other parts of the Shire.”
Cr Byrne said she would advocate for “appropriate family-friendly development that is supported with infrastructure and services, as well as the “upgrade of the “Waves” swimming pool and investigation of a new, second aquatic centre”.
Visit votensw.info for polling stations and candidates.elections.nsw.gov.au for a full list of candidates.
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