Singleton Shire Council candidates for the 2021 local government elections

There are four candidates vying for mayor and 15 candidates for a spot on council. We look at who they are and what they stand for.

Singleton Shire will be one of 124 councils holding elections on Saturday, December 4, for the election of councillors.

There are four candidates vying for mayor and 15 candidates for nine positions on council. All four mayoral candidates are also seeking election on council. The council is undivided and there are no wards.

Here are this year’s candidates.

Note: All candidates were contacted for comment but not all responded.

Mayoral candidates

Sue Moore, Independent

Sue Moore

Sue Moore has been on council for 22 years and the mayor for nine years.

The fifth generation Singleton resident said during her past term as mayor new infrastructure in Singleton has been planned or built, including successfully advocating for $700m to design and build the Singleton bypass.

Ms Moore said it included the full interchange at the Putty Rd intersection “which I am happy to take the credit.

She also highlighted the Resources for Regions program, $12.5m for a revitalised police station, the State Government’s Resources for Rejuvenation Fund that will return $25m a year when operational to support economic development.

“Much has been achieved however there is still much to do,’’ Ms Moore said.

Belinda Charlton, Independent

Belinda Charlton commenced her legal career as a paralegal in local government in 1995.

Belinda Charlton

She was formally admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2005 and is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia.

Ms Charlton is now the principal of her own law firm servicing clients in local government, planning, environmental and cultural law.

Ms Charlton has qualifications from the United Nations Training Institute in Strategic Planning and

Government Disaster Risk Reduction. She has completed a Master of Environmental Law and has qualifications in Climate Change Law and Policy, Anti-Corruption, Marketing Management and Public Relations.

She is currently undertaking a PhD in Law at the University of Newcastle where she is also a casual academic.

Ms Charlton was elected to the Law Society’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee and as a committee representative of the NSW Environmental Planning Law Association.

She was a founding member of the Singleton Sunrise Rotary Club and is their current executive member for child protection. She also represents the Rotary District on various committees.

Ms Charlton has lived in Singleton for more than 17 years having moved there to take up a senior executive role at council.

Other mayoral candidates 

Daniel Thompson, Independent 

Tony Jarrett, Labor

Candidates for council

Sue George, Independent 

Sue George has lived in Singleton for over 30 years, raising four children with her husband.

Sue George

She has served one term on council and said she looked forward to serving the residents of Singleton for another term.

“I am not affiliated with any party and aim to work constructively with all residents and council, to achieve the best for Singleton,’’ Ms George said.

“I have been involved with a range of organisations as a volunteer and have a wide range of skills to bring to the position. I am currently President of the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre.’’

Tony McNamara, Independent

Tony McNamara

Tony McNamara was first elected to Singleton Shire Council in 1999.

During that time, he has been the chair of the saleyards committee, Upper Hunter County Council and the Bulga Coal voluntary planning agreement.

Mr McNamara said the highlights of the current council included advocacy to attract State and Federal Government funding; the John St renewal program; the completion of saleyards upgrade with a roof; the Broke skate park; an animal shelter for dogs and cats; the Kelso St drainage upgrade; an upgrade on plans for Alroy Oval and Howe Park; cultural activities and events; tourism promotion; the arts centre at Townhead Park; the bike tracks at Townhead Park and

Broke (commencing soon); as well as a range of upgrades to services.

“Singleton Council is a progressive organisation responsible for much more than roads, rates and rubbish,’’ Mr McNamara said.

“We have a professional and committed staff who are dedicated to their work and an elected council who have managed the affairs of Singleton and surrounds in a progressive and collaborative manner.’’

Mel McLachlan, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers

Having grown up in Singleton, Mel McLachlan said she was passionate and driven about issues affecting the local community and wanted to ensure a sustainable and vibrant Singleton for generations to come.

Mel McLachlan

“My focus will be continuing to develop our current facilities and initiate development of new and improved facilities, I want to see our children stay in our community rather than leaving for education, recreation, sport and work,’’ Ms McLachlan said

“Ensuring relevant and adequate facilities for all in our community is important.

“As a mum of two young boys, I will also be a passionate advocate for lobbying State and Federal Government to deliver greater health services to Singleton.

“Increasing health services is something that must be a focus of all levels of Government to ensure our most vulnerable are taken care of.’’

Kay Sullivan, Independent

Kay Sullivan

Kay Sullivan has lived in Singleton for the past 39 years and has worked in a local pharmacy for 27 years.

Ms Sullivan said she had been actively involved in volunteer work in the area for over years.

“I have been President of the Singleton Cancer Appeal Committee for many years supporting families affected by cancer in the 2330 postcode,’’ she said.

“I currently work for Hunter Valley Supports.

“I am running for council as an independent.

“The areas that concern me in the Singleton LGA are meeting the increasing pressures on health, disability services, and support for the homeless.

“I am also concerned with the Singleton bypass being completed and the building of new infrastructure in our area pending transition to a low carbon economy.’’

Andrew Clifton, Labor

Andrew Clifton said he was running for council for the same reason he wanted to be a teacher – to make a difference.

Andrew Clifton

He has lived in Branxton for the last 20 years and graduated from Singleton High School in 2005.

“I care about working people and their families and about the people of Singleton,’’ Mr Clifton said.

“I care about our community. I want to listen to people’s ideas and concerns and I want to be a strong voice for those issues on Singleton Council.

“I want Singleton Council to advocate on behalf of the people of Singleton when it comes to state and federal issues to ensure our community always gets our fair share.’’

Valerie Scott, Independent

Valerie Scott has lived in Singleton since she was five, graduating from Singleton High School in 1954 and worked at Singleton Hospital for 20 years.

Valerie Scott, who is a candidate in the Singleton council elections

She was first elected to council in 2004.

“I do not align myself with any party as I prefer to listen to my constituents and endeavour to attain the best outcome for them,’’ Ms Scott said.

“Policies, well someone asked me once at pre poll and my answer was “ to be the best councillor I could be”.

A councillor alone cannot make policies, as it is up to the council as a whole to decide on policies.

Other candidates include

Godfrey Adamthwaite

Hollee J

enkins 

John Martin 

Sarah

Johnstone 

Calvin Debeutz