Meet the MidCoast council election candidates from Taree and Forster to Tea Gardens and Bulahdelah
With the 2024 Local Government elections just around the corner, we’ve reached out to candidates in the diverse MidCoast Council patch to see what they’re all about. Find out more.
Mid-North Coast
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MidCoast Council was formed in 2016 with the amalgamation of the former Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester shires.
It takes in areas like Hawks Nest often associated with the Port Stephens region and the villages and surrounds of Gloucester with links to the Upper Hunter.
In recent times the council has come under scrutiny for its track record in the areas of financial management and governance.
Current councillor Peter Epov, who is not recontesting at the September 14 election, recently spoke out about council’s dubious honour of winning the Golden Turd award for most s**t human resources two years in a row.
A code of conduct review against him – sparked after he spoke out about the award – was eventually thrown out of the state’s highest court for apparent bias.
Current mayor Claire Pontin is running for election again. The mayor is elected by councillors and not through the election process.
We profile all the lead councillor candidates in each group and any ungrouped candidates in order of their appearance on the ballot.
Group A – Independent Peter Howard
Mr Howard is a current MidCoast councillor and is yet to respond to this publication’s questions.
He is from Forster and his running mates are Fabian Alexander Clancy, Rebecca Cross, Scott Robert Paterson, Roderick Donegan and Emmerson Jean Hollis.
Group B – Independent: Thomas Peter O’Keefe, Bruce Mckinnon Murray, Jeanette Josephine Hart, Malcolm Lloyd Motum, Terry Glen Munright, Heather Ruth Jeannie Vaughan
Thomas O’Keefe has been a local newspaper journalist for the past two years, as well as volunteering with the local Rural Fire Service. All six members of his team are based in the Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest area.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
The top issue is the state of our roads, and the agonisingly long and painfully bureaucratic processes that seem to stop us from getting decent roads that are not riddled with potholes or crumbling away.
Underlying this, and most other issues, is the serious matter of the council’s finances and on the rare occasion a current elected councillor or bureaucrat actually comes to our area the story is always the same: the council says they are broke, and must hike up the rates and cut more services.
Why should locals vote for you?
Locals should vote for myself and the MidCoast Independents because we are genuinely local and we will not vanish into the aether once elected, like so many politicians have done before.
I have done many things – teaching, hospitality, tourism, trade, telecommunications – but I will never be a ‘politician’.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large local government area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
The MidCoast LGA is enormous, unrealistically so, and it only came into existence by way of an undemocratic, albeit legal, proclamation. Nobody in our area wanted the amalgamation, and we have seen little, if any, good come of it.
Eight years is plenty of hindsight to review and prove this claim, and we have found it to be the unanimous feeling of our local constituents.
We will push for better auditing of council’s finances, for clearer community understanding of where all our rates are really going and directly address overarching cultural concerns such as the high level of staff turnover at council.
Group C – Independent: Jeremy John Miller, Donna Lee Ballard, Bronwyn Sarah Hamilton Sharpe, Alexander Richard Lewers, Tanya Louise Brown, Jacob Matthew Davey
Jeremy Miller moved to Taree in 1995 to work at 2RE and MAX-FM. He intended to stay for six months but quickly fell in love with the area and his now-wife.
Mr Miller has managed the Manning Entertainment Centre and runs two small businesses, a bakery and a cafe, at Taree.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Since becoming a Councillor in 2021, I’ve focused on the big, long-term problems that have been ‘kicked down the road’ for too long. Council hasn’t invested nearly enough into our roads for decades. That has created a problem that can’t be fixed overnight but if we don’t have the courage to tackle it, we will never turn it around.
I’ve worked with the other councillors to take that long-term, strategic view so we can set council up to better serve our residents for the next 10, 20, 30 years.
Why should locals vote for you?
I am a local, I’m raising my family here and I have the same issues as everyone else that lives here.
I’ve chosen to live here because I genuinely love the place and I want the best for the future. That means taking a long-term strategic approach to fixing the roads and getting the structure of the budget right. That means encouraging new businesses and jobs to come to our region, and that means protecting what we love about where we live so that our kids and their kids can love it too.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
Now that we are a larger organisation, Council has more capacity to fix the larger issues.
There are issues that a tiny council with a tiny budget just can’t fix. I acknowledge the geographic challenge and we do need to ensure that the benefits and the services flow to all corners of our area.
Group D – Labor: Claire Pontin, Digby Wilson, Nicolle Green, Phillip Costa, Michael Selby Burgess, Mark Francis Vanstone
Claire Pontin was elected to Council in 2017, became deputy mayor in 2019 and mayor in 2022.
The current mayor – a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors – has 25 years of experience in state and federal government, 10 years as a general manager and tertiary qualifications in science, economics and financial analysis.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Council needs to become leaner and more efficient; it needs to identify better ways of doing things to reduce waste.
It will have to tighten its belt in some areas so more money can be put into roads and other essential services. All discretionary funding will need to be identified and decisions made.
Why should locals vote for you?
I have the skills and drive to make a difference. I don’t resile from the hard work and the hard decisions.
Having worked in government for 25 years, I know how governments operate and which levers to pull.
I believe council can become better in providing services to the community more cost efficiently. It’s essential that we keep the pressure on state and federal governments.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
MidCoast Council is large in area and diverse in nature. That’s one of its strengths.
It gives us more strength around the negotiating table. It does present concerns for the community, however MidCoast residents now have 11 Councillors they can contact by phone or email to discuss their issues.
Group E – Independent: Alan Leslie Tickle, Nicole Turnbull, Carley Burke, Philip Walkom, Michael Kent, Kylie Turner
Alan Tickle is a self- employed financial planner serving the Taree and Forster area.
He has a long history of community service starting in Apex in 1976 and was elected to the former Taree Council in 2004. He served two terms as deputy mayor.
Mr Tickle took a break from local government in 2016 to devote his energy to helping secure funding for the upgrade of the Manning Base Hospital.
He successfully stood for election to MidCoast Council in 2021 and was elected deputy mayor.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
The major challenge is to allocate sufficient funds to road maintenance. If a road can be salvaged by a re-seal before it deteriorates to requiring a complete re- construction, it saves money as a re- construction is 10 times the cost of a re-seal.
The challenge is gaining buy-in and support of both the State and Federal government to partner with council with realistic funding grants to tackle transport infrastructure renewals.
Why should locals vote for you?
Four of the councillors seeking re-election have only served for two years and eight months and there will be at least five new councillors elected.
I offer plenty of experience to help mentor councillors and to continue the momentum. I pledged last term to ‘better connect our communities’ and my high attendance record at community conversations was one method to make that connection.
Group F – Independent: Emma Louise Mellows, Veronica Jane Frost, Jennifer Maree Lennox, John Stewart Fisher
Emma Mellows is property owner at Booral and has two primary school-aged sons who she enjoys horseriding with in the bush.
Ms Mellows works as a planner and said she has skills in the strategic analysis of information, budgeting and mobilisation.
She is a qualified high voltage electrician and completed electrical engineering qualifications. Ms Mellows became a rescue medic and mines rescue vice-captain through her role.
The MidCoast candidate has also competed as a national powerlifter and professional bodybuilder, representing Australia at home and in Canada, Mexico and Germany.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Relations between council and residents need dramatic improvement.
Regardless of what problem or decision we are facing, I will do my upmost to ensure council are actively listening because that is the foundation of every single solution.
Integrity as a council will see us not saying yes/no/or it costs too much, but earnestly asking “could we?” “should we” and “how can we”.
In a more practical sense- residents are angry about the state of our roads and our HR practices are a huge cost.
Why should locals vote for you?
I am a young, energetic, and passionate professional with a unique perspective and a track record of successful achievements. I challenge policies that don’t serve our community and am ready to ask tough questions to drive meaningful change.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
To manage a large LGA to better serve our communities we must establishing clear communication channels with constituents, strategically plan short and long term goals that are meaningful, with residents being actively involved in decision-making processes.
should also analyse higher performing councils and integrate best practices.
Group G – Libertarian Party: Michael James Graham
No email provided on the NSW Electoral commission website.
Group H – Independent: Paul Derwent Sandilands, Mark Stuart Johnson, Jessica Corkill, Sandra Alice Pauline Zielke, Gilbert Thomas Whyte, Scott William Grant
Paul Sandilands has lived in the area all his life and has worked as a nurse/midwife for almost five decades. He has also volunteered for a number of organisations, including almost 50 years with a local football (soccer) club and running the Viking Challenge for 25 years.
He has served one term on council.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
A major issue is maintaining council’s finances. Unless that is sustainable council can’t address other issues such as roads. We need to ensure we are lean and productive.
We need to work with state and federal governments to increase the amount of funding they provide. We also need to identify other methods of making income.
Why should locals vote for you?
I am a local and have been part of this area all my life. I’ve lived and worked in Forster, Tuncurry, Taree, Wingham and Bulahdelah. If people feel that they can trust me and that I’m responsive I think they will vote for me. I’m not making outrageous promises as I am part of a group in making any decisions. The promise I make is to try my best to represent your interests.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
Servicing these large council area can be difficult but I routinely make the effort to go to all areas of the local government area. You need to be available to respond to people. They want to be able to speak with the people they elect, they don’t just want to leave a message or get an email.
Group I – The Greens: Dheera Susan Smith, Janeece Elaine Irving, Michael William Townsend, Jessica Harris, Nathan Wales, Megan Julia Cooke
Dheera Smith is a first term councillor and the first ever Greens Councillor on MidCoast Council.
She has taught English and drama at Wingham High School and now teaches casually at Chatham High and is a homeowner in Mondrook and Old Bar.
Ms Smith is a former radio and print journalist in the USA and Australia and keen dog owner and walker.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
A major issue is transportation throughout the outlying towns to main hubs like Gloucester, Taree and Tuncurry/ Forster.
While we will continue to improve roads that were basically neglected by three former councils, we can also call on NSW to send in some alternative transport funds for electric buses and active bike tracks.
Why should people vote for you?
Locals should know I have worked to address both infrastructure, culture and community issues throughout the MidCoast.
I have voted against coastal developments that will be affected by climate change or poor infrastructure.
I want cooler towns and centres and this could happen by bringing back a Tree Preservation order.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
It is a big council area but that is part of the deal. Staff and councillors need to understand what is needed in all areas.
I will continue to attend Council community consultations and spend most weekends around the local government area enjoying music, sport or the environment … not to mention a market or three!
UNGROUPED CANDIDATES
Richard Streamer
Mr Streamer is yet to respond this publication’s questions.
Elizabeth Mcentyre
Dr Elizabeth McEntyre is a Worimi Gringai and Wonnarua Elder belonging to lands and waters spanning Port Stephens, the Myall Lakes, Barrington Tops, and Hunter Valley. She lives in Tea Gardens and has been connected to this area from birth.
Elizabeth is a Doctor of Social Work and Criminology, a mental health social worker in disability and justice, and research consultant. Her career portfolio involves senior roles with the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, and Aboriginal community-Led sector.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Two-way communication between council and the community is critical for making the vision of the community work for all.
Communities connecting and belonging can improve the wellbeing of all. I will work to ensure the vision of the Community is realised, not just by turning strategic intent into actions, but on how these actions must be delivered.
Why should people vote for you?
I am an experienced board director skilled in strategic business governance, presently serving Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council/Murrook Culture Centre, NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Coastal Council, State Records NSW, Hunter Local Land Services, and Life Without Barriers.
It’s now time for me to serve the MidCoast area as a councillor, and to utilise my collective knowledge, experience, skills and qualities.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
The best approach to serving the large MidCoast Council area is by placing the community at the centre when making decisions, and supporting Community to have a heightened sense of connection to the area no matter where they live. For me, it doesn’t matter where I go in Worimi Country I feel that sense of belonging.
It’s been eight years since the merger created the MidCoast Council and there is no turning back.
Karen Elizabeth Hutchinson
I’m local, very aware of council’s ‘short comings’ and I’m prepared to speak up. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother and have lived on our family property in Booral for 28 years.
As many people know, I have 17 years’ experience in local government, having previously served as an effective councillor for both Great Lakes and MidCoast councils. However, my work is not done. I am driven – not for personal advancement or agenda – but by a desire to serve my community.
Why should people vote for you?
I know first-hand what is required to serve as a councillor, and my pledge to the community is to serve with integrity once again, to work hard for the outcomes our community deserves, and to strengthen the relationship between the community and council.
Please vote below the line putting me No1. You need to number at least six to seven names.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Karen says one of the biggest issues facing the MidCoast is that small towns and villages have no voice and that if she was elected she could be that voice.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area?
Amalgamation should never have happened to three local government areas.
The old Great Lakes Council (of which I was a part of) conceded amalgamation was going to happen, our choice was just two local government areas not three. It presents a big challenge in the backlog of infrastructure needing attention.
Stephen Frank Smith
I have lived in Bulahdelah for 47 years.
During that time my wife and I have raised four children, worked in the local community and contributed to sporting and social groups. We currently run a small working beef cattle farm.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
The main issues I would like to address are what I believe to be the basics for any local council – roads, rates and rubbish.
I would like to see the roads in our area receive more realistic funding for upgrading, particularly in the outlying areas of the council area.
The issue of rates is a complex one, but unfortunately we need to pay rates if we are to achieve the improvements we all desire and deserve.
Why should people vote for you?
I am not going to make any wild promises about what I hope to achieve if elected to Council but I believe it is extremely important to have a voice that can and will speak for the outlying towns and villages of our LGA.
John William Sahyoun
I have lived in Bulahdelah for the past 38 years and enjoy living in this area.
I was a former primary teacher and hold two Master’s degrees in my field and have enjoyed working with many groups and organisations
from local to regional for many years in senior positions.
I am currently the longest serving president of the Chamber of Commerce in the Mid-North Coast area, so I know how a council operates from a business perspective.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Each area have particular concerns which are important to them and require a response. Beyond the roads, rates and rubbish issues which are common over the whole LGA, further issues include parking in peak holiday periods, affordable housing and reduction of red tape.
Why should people vote for you?
The reason I am running for council is because I have the necessary skills and experience to bring about positive outcomes for the whole of the LGA and have worked hard in local communities to resolve issues and act as a voice for them and make their place a bit better.
What’s your thoughts on the challenges of serving such a large Local Government Area taking in the former shires of Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester?
Our LGA is north to south the same distance from Gosford to Wollongong so it presents a challenge given that it has many small rural communities that normally have trouble accessing elected members.
Our LGA is the largest on the eastern coast of NSW and consultation of communities is a priority. And being able to engage with constituents.
Vivien Gay Panhuber
Ms Panhuber is yet to respond to this publication’s questions.
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