New Coffs, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Nambucca mayors elected at September 14, NSW local government elections

Four of the five mayors to be elected on the Mid-North and Coffs coast will be new to the role, reflecting an appetite for change across the region.

Four new mayors elected to power on Coffs and Mid-North Coast.

Four of the five mayors to be elected across the Mid-North and Coffs Coasts will be new to the role, reflecting an appetite for change across the region.

In Coffs Harbour businesswoman and third generation local Nikki Williams has toppled Paul Amos, who was elected mayor in December 2021 after a five-year term as councillor and one year as deputy.

Ms Williams said the results reflect a strong mood for change.

“Coffs Harbour has felt stuck for a long time and people just want to see us progress forward,” she said.

“We’ll be focusing on the council basics such as kerbside collection, beautification and mowing.

New Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams.

“Every second person I’ve talked to mentioned they want kerbside collections reinstated.”

One of her first steps will be to meet with the state government about the contentious Jetty Foreshores plans.”

In nearby Bellingen Shire, Mayor Stephen Allan has been re-elected to the role on a platform of ensuring essential services are delivered while protecting the unique character and environment of the shire.

Stephen Allan, Bellingen Mayor

Mr Allan has lived and worked in the Bellingen Shire for 34 years and was the community pharmacist in Urunga from 1991-2018.

In Kempsey Kinne Ring has been elected to the top job replacing retiring mayor Leo Hauville who was first elected to council in 2016.

The Kempsey Shire takes in idyllic coastal holiday spots like Crescent Head and South West Rocks and stretches inland west of Kempsey out to Bellbrook, close to Slim Dusty’s childhood home at Nulla Nulla.

Ms Ring has been a councillor for the past two years and has warned: “We cannot continue along the path that we have seen in recent years that has led to our rate increases.”

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan with newly elected Kempsey mayor Kinne Ring.

After 20 years on Nambucca Valley Council, Mayor Rhonda Hoban did not recontest. She served a four-year term as a councillor and was the popularly elected mayor since 2008.

Now newcomer and local farmer Gary Lee has been elected mayor, promising to improve law and order and ensure a sustainable budget.

Gary Lee Nambucca Valley council mayor.

In Port Macquarie popularly elected mayor at the last local government election Peta Pinson did not recontest, but one of her former running mates and one of four ‘Team Pinson’ members Adam Roberts has taken the top job.

Like a number of other Port Macquarie candidates, Mr Roberts has identified congestion around the region as the number one issue facing the community and has vowed to address this as a first priority.

The five local government areas all fall within the federal electorate of Cowper and MP Pat Conaghan took to Facebook to congratulate the winners.

“I personally know every single one of them and I know they will put the interests of your community first,” he said.

Adam Roberts, the new Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor.

Voters in the MidCoast Council area – which was formed in 2016 with the amalgamation of the former Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester shires – do not elect a mayor. They are decided by the 11-person council once it is officially sworn in.

NSW Electoral Commission results on Monday afternoon show a significant shake-up with three new faces from the Libertarian Party (formerly liberal democrats) to be elected to council.

Current mayor Claire Pontin will retain her position as councillor.

MidCoast Council 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 MidCoast Council has come under scrutiny for its track record in the areas of financial management and governance.

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