Shellharbour Council: Date set for ‘election fatigued’ ratepayers to return to polls

The end of the iVote saga is nigh with the date set for the revote in three NSW local government areas, however one Shellharbour councillor still says it’s in “limbo”.

A third of Shellharbour voters will be heading back to the polls next month after the NSW Electoral Commission confirmed the date for the election do-over in the wake of the iVote disaster.

Voters in Shellharbour Ward A, as well as the entire local government areas of Kempsey and Singleton, will head to the ballot box on Saturday, July 30.

The announcement comes three weeks on from 16 of 19 councillors, as well as the two non-elected candidates in Shellharbour Ward A, writing to the Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman pleading for her to postpone the by-elections until the next local government elections in September, 2024.

Shellharbour Ward A councillor Maree Edwards, who was a signatory to the letter to Mrs Tuckerman, declined to add to her previous comments apart from conceding “it is what it is”.

Residents in Shellharbour Ward A, Singleton and Kempsey will head back to the polls on July 30. Picture: Richard Noone

Fellow Ward A councillor, Kellie Marsh, was more forthcoming though she is still holding out hope that there will be a change of heart late in the piece.

“I still feel we are in limbo,” she said.

“We had been told that this is going before the Premier and Cabinet and we had also been advised that this evening it was still being discussed so whilst the Electoral Commission has got [the notification] on its website, I have not received any formal notification.

“It’s likely it will be the 30th of July, but I am hoping our state government representatives will save the day for the community to avoid them the pain of going back to an election again.

“Voters have got election fatigue, we’ve had a federal election, it will potentially be two council elections and a state election coming up in march when does it stop.”

All residents enrolled in all three LGAs as of 6pm Monday, June 20, are required to vote in the election.

Candidates will be able to nominate for the election from Monday, June 20, until Wednesday, June 29.

The pre-poll voting period will begin on Tuesday, July 18.

In other business…

Council to investigate “business case” for synthetic fields

Myimbarr Fields is one complex which could be considered for a synthetic field. Picture: Google Maps

Shellharbour has edged closer to having its first synthetic sporting field with councillor Rob Petreski forwarding a motion calling for a report to be prepared on potential locations and estimated costs.

In his motion, Cr Petreski asked for the investigation to consider new facilities as well as retrofitting existing facilities.

“Some people think because of the recent rain events it’s a reaction to the community,” Cr Petreski said.

“But I can assure you in my first term on council this was one of the first things I was spoken to about by the community.”

Cr Petreski said he wants the report to consider what approach would offer the “best bang for buck” and suggested a future facility would be “cost neutral post the initial outlay”.

The motion had the support of the entire council, except for councillor John Davey who referenced a report citing the potential environmental and social impacts of artificial sporting fields.

Councillor Lou Stefanovski quipped: “Personally I didn’t know that [synthetic fields] were worse than smoking cigarettes”.

Cr Petreski added, “For every report saying one thing, you can get another saying the other”, before pointing to a report from the Western Australian Government which supported the use of synthetic sporting fields over grass.

Kingston Street Park upgrade

The sparse Kingston Street Park could be set for a major upgrade. Picture: Dave Clarke/Google Maps

Councillor Moira Hamilton tabled a motion calling for a report to be prepared on the opportunities for a youth recreational facility within Oak Flats.

Cr Hamilton pointed to the underutilised Kingston Street Park next to the suburb’s community pool as an ideal location that could be “activated”.

“There’s nowhere for children to go in Oak Flats,” Cr Hamilton said.

“I think it’s a great location and families would benefit from this.”

Cr Davey vehemently supported the motion and compared Oak Flats to Balmain due to it being “ignored” by council.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Shellharbour set to get a new “friend”

Noosa could become Shellharbour’s "friendship city". Picture: Noosa Shire Council

Shellharbour could have a new “friendship city” after the council adopted the recommendations from its Friendship City/Sister City Committee to proceed with negotiations to form an alliance with Noosa.

Mayor Chris Homer said the decision to proceed with talks with the Sunshine Coast town came about due to the similarities between the two LGAs.

“There are a lot of parallels,” he said.

“We are both seaside communities, there is the coastal aspect, the hinterland aspect, both have an airport nearby so we’re happy to move forward.”

All the councillors voted in favour including Cr Stefanovski who joked that the “friendship relationship” would have to occur before Noosa and Shellharbour could become sister cities.