Muswellbrook Shire Council candidates for the 2021 local government elections
There are 17 candidates running for election. We look at who they are and what they stand for.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Muswellbrook Shire will be one of 124 councils holding elections on Saturday, December 4, for the election of councillors.
There are 17 candidates vying for 12 positions on council. The council is undivided and there are no wards. The mayor and deputy mayor are voted for by the elected councillors.
Here are this year’s candidates.
Note: All candidates were contacted for comment but not all responded.
Rod Scholes (mayor)
Rod Scholes was first voted onto council in 2012, became deputy mayor in 2016 and mayor in July this year.
The 66-year-old has lived in Muswellbrook since 1982 and raised four children in the area.
Mr Scholes worked in the mining industry, both production and development for most of the last 39 years.
“As the current mayor, my desire and passion are to lead and continue to also expand greatly the previous councils’ efforts in regard to community infrastructure and services,’’ Mr Scholes said.
“Communication and transparency have not been a strength of recent council; this will change.
“[I will] continue to support and expand council initiatives regarding educational and social support opportunities like STEAM and the educational opportunities provided by the Donald Horne/UNE education precinct, social support from council in accommodation associated with the Tresillian Family Care Clinic, Upper Hunter Youth Services, the Homeless Support Service including the Women’s and Children’s Refuge.
“[I will] support current major capital projects to ensure they reach their potential, the Entertainment Precinct, Olympic Park, town square, Hunter and Wollombi parks, the animal shelter, the Denman Heritage Museum, the reactivation of the railway station as a local museum, also located south of town bypass deviation, the Gateway Visitor Servicing Project, [and] the Coal Road linkage into the CBD.’’
Mr Scholes said major changes to industry and employment needed to be addressed “aggressively”.
“We need new and possibly repurposed industry, targeted industrial/development programs, opportunities for our young, both employment and educational,’’ he said.
Darryl Marshall
Darryl Marshall believes he is a vibrant new candidate who has been a member of the local community and surrounding areas for 56 years, raising his children in Muswellbrook, Sandy Hollow and Merriwa.
“My working history has included working in the grape industry at the age of 15 for nine years farming and operating agricultural machinery and truck driving for five years and working in the coal industry for 14 years before starting an operating my construction business for a further 20 years,’’ Mr Marshall said.
He said he recently made the decision to semi-retire and continue to support local events such as local horse racing, motocross events, Muswellbrook Golf Club and rugby league.
“Just to name a few charity events have sponsored include National Tree Day, planting trees, Clean Up Australia and Variety, The Childrens Charity, supporting the Newcastle variety bash for 15 years.
“I will strive to work hard for the people of Muswellbrook and our shire council and plan to be a vibrant voice for the hard working community members that have been missing out on being heard.
Steve Reynolds
Born and raised in Muswellbrook and now raising three children of his own, Steven Reynolds has been on the council for five years. He has worked in the mining industry and also general manager of a local magazine company.
“I am a genuine independent that is known for standing for the best interest of the community, and I am not afraid challenge the status quo,” Mr Reynolds said.
“I want to see more done here for the youth of the community and a culture change of more pride in our community, and that starts with our leadership and the way we communicate and are transparent with the community, and to enhance our shires appeal.”
Mr Reynolds said it was important for council to ensure its expenditure was on “the right things for our community”.
“We need to develop better and stronger relationships with our small businesses and industries to drive for the best interests of our shire,” he said.
“Supporting sustainable development and increased employment for locals. Prioritising community and sporting infrastructure. Services for our ageing community. To rebuild the relationship between local government and the community.’’
Amanda Barry
Amanda Barry is calling for the completion of Denman’s main street as one of her priorities if she is elected onto council.
Ms Barry has lived in the district for 32 years and said she was “proud to call this area home”.
“Since moving to Denman, I have worked in a wide variety of different fields, from
horse studs, and vineyards, to retail. More recently I have worked in mine sites and
now at the local power stations,’’ she said.
“I am a strong believer in honesty, reliability, diligence and above all – good old
common sense.
“Communities deserve to have a representative that listens to the
community, providing a fair and unbiased view.’’
Ms Barry said her priorities included the Denman main street upgrades, endorsing better access to medical services, roads, footpaths, flood mitigation, improving access to rubbish disposal facilities and improving the consultation and communication with the community.
Louise Dunn
Louise Dunn said she was running for council because she was passionate about the area realising it’s potential.
Ms Dunn grew up on family properties on Denman Rd and Wybong until she moved to Newcastle to study primary school teaching at university.
She has been teaching in the area for over 25 years, both at Aberdeen and Muswellbrook.
“My husband, David, is also a born and bred local. Both of our families have been employed in the mining industry for over thirty years and have worked at numerous mines around the area,’’ Ms Dunn said.
“I am running for a position on Council because I am passionate about realising the potential in our shire.
“I have witnessed the changes that have occurred over the years and I would like to help bring the 2333 shire back to its former glory of being a caring and compassionate community.
“I realise that coal mining is a vital part of our shire and until we can totally rely on carbon neutral and sustainable energy, coal is always going to be a significant contributor to our energy requirements.
“My priorities, if elected, would be to advocate strongly for permanent employment in the mining sector as this would ensure stability now and be an investment for future generations. We need more apprenticeships and traineeships being offered to those who actually live in our local government area.’’
Janelle Eades
Janelle Eades is a current Muswellbrook councillor who is seeking re-election with a number of priorities.
Born and raised in Muswellbrook, Ms Eades works in the community services sector where she coordinates a family centre and runs programs to assist parents and children.
“I am hoping to be re-elected so that I can help bring some of the projects that we have started to fruition,’’ Ms Eades said.
“I have seen many changes to our shire and in my three previous terms on council I have been instrumental in delivering liveability for families with sporting facilities, Conservatorium of Music, aged care facilities, skate park, BMX track, cinema, parks and education facilities.
“If re-elected my priorities for the shire are industries that will see our shire prosper into the future; education and youth services; performance space for our talented community; liveability for families; and advocate to the State Government for health and housing.
Brett Woodruff
Current councillor Brett Woodruff believes planning for future generations remains a key priority for him.
Mr Woodruff has lived and worked in the shire for four decades and said he had an association with council as an employee, committee member and an elected councillor for most of that time.
“I am just an everyday person, husband, father, grandfather and member of the community,’’ Mr Woodruff said.
“I‘m running for council to continue to represent our Shire and its people. I still wish to contribute on behalf of the community with both my heart and my head.
“My priorities have not changed during my time as council, they are still to provide our residents and ratepayers with guidance, support and governance in our special part of this great country.
“I believe it‘s important to look back and appreciate what we had. Enjoy what we have and plan for future generations to come.’’
Jeff Drayton
Jeff Drayton was born and raised with the Muswellbrook shire and has spent his entire working career within the local government area.
“I have spent my entire life representing workers and the community,’’ Mr Drayton said.
“I spent a term as deputy Mayor of Muswellbrook Shire some 10 years ago.
“I am running as an independent in this election after recently running as the Labor candidate in the state by-election.
“I am running as I believe the current council has lost focus on the real issues people in the community want addressed.
“I believe I am able to change that focus to regain the trust of voters.
“I do not believe that the community receives genuine benefit from the mining industry as it should.
“Council needs far more transparency and community engagement, something I believe I can achieve.
Rohit Mahajan
Local businessman Rohit Mahajan believes he can help the everyday person be heard on council.
Indian born, the proud Australian citizen runs the Southside Newsagency and Aah Pizza Belle restaurant.
“I run retail businesses in Muswellbrook, which provides me an opportunity to meet approximately 600 to 700 customers everyday,’’ Mr Mahajan said.
“I have developed a sound relationship with the community who sometimes tell me about their concerns about the town, businesses, employment opportunities available.
“They want to be heard in the council but their voice is generally unable to reach the decision makers.
“I’ll be the voice of the local community as I will be communicating their concerns.
“As we know that a government can only be deemed successful if the local community is happy and contented.’’
Those also seeking election are
Jennifer Lecky
De-Anne Douglas
Graeme McNeill
Malcolm Ogg
Mark Bowditch
Jacinta Ledlin
Stephen Ward
Jonathan Hoad
Bikie’s tighty whitey drug stash uncovered after dunny assault
A fight night bathroom assault at a Newcastle club led cops to the home of a nominee Nomads bikie, where officers then uncovered drugs and cash, some of which was stashed in his undies.
Passenger’s alleged undies package worth $400k on the street
Police allege it was the odd driving along a tiny suburban lane a few hours after midnight which first raised their eyebrows, before some questions got their full attention – 250g of ice stuffed down a passenger’s pants.