Port Macquarie Hastings council September 14 local government election candidates 2024
With the local government election just around the corner we profile the candidates in one Mid-North Coast electorate where voters will have three big decisions to make.
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With the local government election just around the corner we profile the candidates vying for your vote in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.
Voters in this electorate which includes the towns of Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Wauchope, Lake Cathie and Kendall lodge both a councillor and mayoral vote.
Popularly elected mayor at the last election, Peta Pinson, is not contesting but leaves a legacy with a number of controversial motions pushed through using her casting vote when one councillor pulled out mid-term leaving an even number.
One of the moves supported by ‘Team Pinson’ and pushed through with the casting vote was a rate freeze and we have put this issue to all candidates to get their views on the issue.
Voters in this electorate will have a third decision to make with a referendum to decide whether the number of councillors should be reduced from nine to seven.
We profile all the lead councillor candidates in each group and any ungrouped candidates in order of their appearance on the ballot.
The following candidates are also running for mayor -
- Lauren Edwards (Greens).
- Adam Roberts (Independent).
- Nik Lipovac (Independent).
- Mark Hornshaw (Libertarian Party, formerly Liberal Democrats).
Group A - Greens: Lauren Edwards, Stuart Watson, Jane McIntyre, Leslie Mitchell
Lauren Edwards is a local small business owner-operator and proudly brings a focus on grassroots participatory democracy, social justice, non-violence and ecological sustainability.
She has called the Port Macquarie-Hastings home since 1998 and has been a Greens Councillor for close to three years now.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
A major issue is the worsening traffic congestion that our community is experiencing at the Oxley Highway between the Wrights Road and Lake Road roundabouts.
During this term of council, I have advocated for an interim upgrade solution to both the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and TfNSW.
If elected I would use the position to its fullest potential by proactively pursuing communication, meetings and relationship building opportunities to ensure that the needs of our whole community are heard and responded to.
Why should locals vote for you?
I think that voters could consider some of the achievements from my time as councillor such as helping to ensure the top priority is delivering two lanes for the Lake Rd corridor and instigating the identification of suitable sites for renewable energy projects using solar and batteries.
I have also instigated council education campaigns on land clearing practices and wildlife health and secured the investigation of a vacant council buildings to assist the homelessness crisis services.
What are your thoughts on the rate freeze Port Macquarie councillors will inherit ?
The rate freeze will impact on the ability of council to deliver services, and importantly, the standard of those service levels into the future.
That is why in this term of council, I prompted the drafting of a Budget Development Policy for the new council to consider and I have also flagged my intent to pursue a Revenue Taskforce in the new term of Council which could identify opportunities to increase council’s revenue via means other than rates, fees and charges increases.
Group B -Independent: Rachel Sheppard, Lisa Intemann, Kingsley Searle, Linda Elbourne
Rachel Sheppard says her team is focused on accountability, teamwork and future readiness.
She is a 38-year old psychologist and current councillor and grew up in the Hastings.
She says she has become known for her balanced decision-making, focus on accountability, and work to engage the community on complex matters, like the rate freeze.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Strategic land use and infrastructure planning is the biggest issue.
The new council must proactively shape how and where our local population grows, ensuring a sustainable development approach supported by stable infrastructure.
We cannot have further delays - under the impact of the mayor’s voting bloc and climate change denial, the outgoing council significantly delayed progress on important strategic planning and delivery for our community.
Community priorities include water security, reducing traffic congestion, safe footpaths and cycleways, sporting infrastructure, housing affordability, and continued essential services.
As a designated NSW growth area, council must cater for a growing and changing population, or face a gap between housing supply and demand.
Why should locals vote for you?
Team Sheppard is committed to restoring integrity and representation in council decisions.
This requires concrete action to improve accountability, teamwork and future readiness.
In summary, accountability must mean concrete action, not fluffy campaign promises. For example, councillors should be required to document all meetings with developers. We will give reasons for our decisions on matters, we will ‘call BS’ when needed, and we want our community informed and empowered to do the same.
We must move beyond the ad hoc, populist, non-strategic decision making of the outgoing council.
What are your thoughts on the rate freeze Port Macquarie councillors will inherit ?
A ‘rate freeze’ is populist and irresponsible when council is facing huge cost increases.
In passing two rate freezes in the outgoing term, the Pinson bloc disregarded informed community input, independent advice from financial specialists, council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee, detailed staff risk assessment, and the Deputy Secretary of Local Government.
The rate freezes and other rates decisions have worsened council’s long term financial position by almost $50million over the ten-year forecast. This will have unavoidable impacts on service delivery if not addressed.
Group C - Independent: Adam Roberts, Danielle Maltman, Chris Kirkman, Evan O’Brien, Kylie Van Der Ley, Josh Slade
Former Deputy mayor and current councillor Adam Roberts is the lead candidate for a team of conservative-leaning business people who have strong connections with their local community.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Traffic congestion around the Port Macquarie Hastings Region is the number one issue facing our community. If elected, I would make the first priority, to fast-track the delivery of our local road network upgrades to help provide more alternative routes in and around highly congested areas.
Why should locals vote for you?
I’m running with a team of conservative-leaning business professionals who have strong links to not only industry but have spent much time supporting local charities, sporting groups and community organisations. Our experience in business enables us to take a no-nonsense, common-sense approach to decision-making.
We will lead the return of our council to the roads, rates and rubbish approach, formulate and deliver on a plan to ease traffic congestion and also prioritise upgrades to our sporting and recreational infrastructure.
What are your thoughts on the rate freeze Port Macquarie councillors will inherit ?
The current council adopted a general rate freeze in two of the last three budgets and this approach was delivering on a promise made to the community
The rationale for the rate freezes was, to put downward pressure on the organisation to find savings and become more efficient and also to provide the ratepayers with some relief during the cost of living crisis.
Group D (Independent): Nik Lipovac, Jon Bailey, Ellen Crepaz, Luke Garel
I’ve lived in the Hastings for 21 years - 18 of those working at local radio stations plus a few years at Holiday Coast Credit Union. More commonly referred to as Nik James or ‘Super Radio Niko’ I’m a first generation Australian, the son of European migrants who arrived in the 60s.
One of my proudest achievements was coordinating the first 10 years of fundraising to purchase paediatric equipment for our local hospitals with the annual Give Me 5 For Kids Campaign.
On a personal note, I’ll be celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary with Lynne later this month and we have two grown up kids aged 23 and 20, and we’re paying off the mortgage on our first home.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
There are so many issues that require attention in our LGA including the lack of social and affordable housing and to help essential workers moving into the area.
Our new Housing Strategy will support this to a certain degree, but I’d like to see council provide greater incentives to increase the development of more one and two bedroom homes.
We must make considerable progress this term to get on top of our backlog of infrastructure needs including roads, footpaths, water and sewerage to catch up with current needs and cater for our future requirements.
Why should locals vote for you?
I’ve always been community focused, I’m wired that way.
I have a proven track record of community involvement. Perhaps being brought up in a working class family and not always being able to afford everything we wanted, making sacrifices and focusing on just what we needed - well that should be the basic plan for all Councils.
I don’t think I’m a natural born leader, but when you need someone to step up or speak out, then I feel compelled to do just that.
What are your thoughts on the rate freeze Port Macquarie councillors will inherit ?
The budget for this financial year and our list of priorities are locked in, however the new team will have to consider council’s quadruple-bottom line decision-making process moving forward.
I’m sure we can continue to seek out ways to cover for our funding deficiencies. Our core services will not or should not be affected because of the rate freeze, but potentially things like community grants, or a decrease in maintenance work, or a reduction in council-related community events could be impacted.
Group E -Labor: Hamish Tubman, Lorna Neal, Reginald Millar, Susan Baker
I grew up and work in the local area. After living here for so long, I feel I have a significant role to play in shaping its future.
I have a genuine passion for our community and want to contribute positively to its future.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
A major issue is building a better future, ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with population growth while supporting local business. The key to this is long-term strategic planning.
Why should locals vote for you?
I wish to work towards a better-functioning and more democratic council, with greater transparency, accountability, just and fair decisions that will benefit all residents.
I will work strongly as a team member with the other councillors to ensure this outcome.
At 27-years of age, I am especially committed to increasing the representation of our youth.
Group F -Libertarians: Mark Hornshaw, Breelin Coetzer, Duane Stace, Deborah Cooper, David Bird
Mark Hornshaw is a husband and father of six and grandfather of two. He resides in Lorne where he and family operate Barbushco Native Tastes, which has been a part of the Hastings Farm Gate Tour each year.
He is an economist with 15 years university teaching experience in economics, management and entrepreneurship.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
The cost of living is a major issue for people in this area, with real wages having fallen to 2011 levels. The Canberra regime with their destructive economic policies have set us back 13 years in terms of household purchasing power. Here in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area people are doing it tough, with some close to breaking point.
We will always fight to keep more money, resources and decision-making power in the hands of the community.
Why should locals vote for you?
Libertarians want to ‘take a chainsaw’ to woke agendas, smart cities, and council rates. We want to protect people’s property rights and support council demergers.
Our message is resonating with voters – I am receiving emails and calls nearly every day from residents saying they love our message and want to support it.
What are your thoughts on the rate freeze Port Macquarie councillors will inherit ?
We want to not just freeze rates but cut costs and slash rates. Our council has more than enough money to do the jobs they are tasked with – like roads, footpaths, parks, water, and rubbish collection.
If the council is focused on the core issues it is tasked with like roads, footpaths, parks, water, and waste services, there is plenty of money to do a superb job on those things.
Ungrouped: Donald Apanui (DJ) - Independent
DJ moved to the area two years ago. He is a father of two and a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
His career has been dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups, particularly through his work with an Indigenous children’s charity.
What have you identified as a major issue in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
A major issue I’ve identified in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area is the growing pressure on our infrastructure due to population growth.
If elected, I would address these issues by advocating for sustainable development that balances growth with the preservation of our environment and quality of life. This includes investing in infrastructure upgrades, supporting eco-friendly housing projects, and ensuring that new developments are well-integrated with existing communities.
I would also push for greater community engagement in planning decisions.
Why should locals vote for you?
Locals should vote for me because I offer a fresh, truly independent perspective focused on representing the diverse voices in our community.
Unlike candidates tied to political agendas or voting blocs, my commitment is to the people of Port Macquarie-Hastings. I bring a proven track record of advocating for inclusivity and my approach is collaborative.
What are your thoughts on the rate freeze Port Macquarie councillors will inherit ?
Everyone is feeling the pinch of rising costs including councils; however this was short term relief for long term pain.
The mayor and councillors were provided a report in February this year which outlined in no uncertain terms the impact of the rates freeze. This report was ignored by half of the elected councillors and the rates freeze was approved via the mayors casting vote later in the year.
We aren’t talking about two or three million dollars this year as some would have us believe. We are talking about a compounded impact over the next 10 years of tens of millions of dollars.
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