Who’s who: City of Coffs council election candidates profiled
The NSW Local Government elections are just around the corner. We’ve reached out to Coffs council candidates to find out what they’re all about.
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The NSW Local Government elections are just days away, so we have reached out to City of Coffs Harbour council candidates to see what they are all about.
Voters in the Coffs electorate, which includes the towns of Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Ulong, Nana Glen and Red Rock, will lodge both a councillor and mayoral vote on September 14.
Below, we’ve profiled the lead councillor candidates in each group in order of their appearance on the ballot.
In 2024, popularly elected mayor Paul Amos is vying for a second term as mayor and councillor. He is joined by six other candidates throwing their hat in the ring for the top job.
The following candidates are also running for mayor:
– Paul Amos (Independent)
– Nikki Williams (Independent)
– Jonathan Cassell (Greens)
– George Cecato (Independent)
– Tegan Swan (Independent)
– Anthony Judge (Labor)
– Rodney Fox (Independent)
Group A Independent: Nikki Williams, Cath Fowler, Les Oxford, Gurminder Saro, Matt Gosling, Falak Othman, Clinton Hayes, Barbara Haigh, Neil Manson
What have you identified as a major issues in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Collaboration is currently a weakness, between council and community and sporting groups, key stakeholders, investors, and upper levels of government.
I’d foster a ‘How can we help’ attitude, work with our neighbours, and seek to immediately address the fractured relationship between upper levels of government to ensure we receive fair share.
Every community dollar can be multiplied by upper levels of government.
We need a council willing to be in the room negotiating with those who fund our needs to get the best for us, not continually sitting back throwing stones.
Why should locals vote for you?
My success in business and life stems from showing up exactly as I am, building relationships, fostering trust, and creating a strong sense of community.
I bring resilience and tenacity, and most importantly, I know the value of every dollar and the challenges facing many in our community.
My leadership style centres on leading by example, accountability, cultivating a positive culture, mentoring my team, and encouraging ownership.
I believe in leading with heart, not ego, with the goal of growing those around me.
What are your thoughts on the plans for the Jetty Foreshores?
People want change at the Jetty Foreshores.
No one wants the area to remain a dust bowl for another 40 years.
I support working with the State Government on the refined masterplan not saddling the rate payers with the costly burden of going it alone.
The adventure and water-based playgrounds, village green amphitheatre, and connected accessible walkways, cycleways and a boardwalk are what people want to see.
I support driving our tourism economy with a world class waterfront precinct and quality accommodation offerings, and would seek to prioritise tourism over residential.
Group B Independent: Rodney Fox, Nicole Bourne, Michael Thompson-Blair, Dudley Mitchell-Adams
Mr Fox was contacted for comment, but did not respond by deadline.
Group C Independent: John O’Brien, Jasmine Braun, Dorothea Skoludek, Kristel O’Brien
What have you identified as a major issues in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
If elected, I will ensure that the community’s voice is at the heart of every decision.
I will prioritise strategic infrastructure planning that not only anticipates future growth but also genuinely reflects the needs and concerns of our residents.
This includes investing in advanced pavement monitoring technology to address road maintenance proactively and enhancing public transport options to alleviate congestion.
By actively involving the community and ensuring our infrastructure is robust and future-proof, we can maintain the liveability and affordability that makes Coffs Harbour a great place to live.
Why should locals vote for you?
“No strings attached” — that’s my commitment to the people of Coffs Harbour.
I’m not beholden to any special interests or outside influences.
My only agenda is to serve our community with integrity and dedication.
My focus is on ensuring that Coffs Harbour remains affordable and liveable, with strong support for essential services employees like nurses, police, and teachers. I’m not just a candidate, I’m a community member who wants to see our region thrive for future generations.
What are your thoughts on the plans for the Jetty Foreshores?
The Jetty Foreshore is a cherished part of our community, and the message from residents has been clear: the Jetty is for everyone, and it must remain that way.
I fully support this stance.
While I am open to revitalising the area to enhance its beauty and utility, I am firmly against any plans that would lead to high-rise housing developments.
The focus should be on creating spaces that are accessible, welcoming, and in harmony with the natural environment, not on turning the Jetty into a high-density residential zone.
I will advocate for a revitalisation plan that reflects the community’s wishes and ensures the Jetty remains a place for all to enjoy.
Group D Greens: Jonathan Cassell, Timothy Nott, Eugenie Gerlach, Elaine Sherwood, Olivier La Mer-Adair
What have you identified as a major issues in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
The Jetty Foreshores is Coffs Harbour’s busiest beach and we need to keep it in public hands for the benefit of locals and visitors.
Council can create a beautiful parkland that will host events, festivals and drive tourism to our region.
However, building multi storey private residential at the Jetty will benefit only a small number of wealthy people and turn the Jetty into a replica of the Gold Coast.
I would like to see Coffs Harbour become a city of parks and gardens with the Jetty Foreshore a world-class parkland that can accommodate low-scale commercial development alongside public infrastructure.
Why should locals vote for you?
I would like a community consultation on Councils concept plan and to test creating a new Jetty Beach Holiday Park to drive revenue back into the Jetty Foreshores area.
The increasing risk of unnatural weather events will keep pushing up the cost-of-living crisis, damage vital infrastructure, deepen social inequality, drive up insurance costs and undermine business confidence, which all lead to greater levels of crime.
I have the leadership skills required to be a visionary leader with the ability to educate and inspire.
What are your thoughts on the plans for the Jetty Foreshores?
I will continue to fight the NSW government’s privatisation plans to sell off the Jetty Foreshores and aim to keep the Jetty Foreshores in public hands.
I would like a community consultation on council’s concept plan and to test creating a new Jetty Beach Holiday Park to drive revenue back into the Jetty Foreshores area.
We need to stop privatisation and create a world class parkland at the Jetty with a Holiday Park and Information Centre at either north of Marina Drive or around the ex-Deep Sea Fishing Club.
Public wealth will then remain in public hands with money raised at this Holiday Park reinvested into the Jetty Foreshores maintenance.
Group E Independent: George Cecato, Jesse Young, Jeffrey (Jack) Dix, Antigone Cross, Matthew Culgan and Katherine Listkow
What have you identified as a major issues in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
The next mayor and council will have two massive opportunities to set our city up for the future – the completion of the bypass and the upgrade and revitalisation of the foreshores.
We will push hard for a full upgrade and revitalisation of the foreshores – new parks and public spaces, better beach access and views, space for cafes and restaurants, tourist accommodation, playgrounds, much better parking, new amenities, a boardwalk, public safety improvements, and economic renewal.
Coffs Harbour has waited long enough – it’s time to get it done!
The impending completion of the bypass gives us a once in a lifetime opportunity to remake the highway corridor through Coffs Harbour.
Why should locals vote for you?
I have a vision for our city, and the strength of character, knowledge, and experience to implement it!
In the eight years I have served as a councillor, I have fought for progress and managed to drive through some important projects, including the steps at the northern end of the harbour.
But the current majority on council has consistently voted against progress and against important community infrastructure projects.
The city is in the worst position I can remember in my 34 years as a local.
What are your thoughts on the plans for the Jetty Foreshores?
The revised Master Plan by the NSW Government isn’t perfect, but it’s a good starting point.
This is our chance to realise our potential as a major regional city and bring us into the 21st century.
Further consultation on the number of dwellings is required – the current plan seems too high, and we need to ensure any upgrade of the foreshores includes a comprehensive plan to improve access and parking.
Group F Independent: Tegan Swan, Marcus Blackwell, Lucas Craig, Lisa Nichols and Melanie Browne
Ms Swan is a serving councillor and is vying for both councillor and mayoral positions at the
September 14 election.
Group G Independent: Paul Amos, Julie Sechi, Scott Wolgamot and Sally Townle
What have you identified as a major issues in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
I think people come to the Coffs Harbour area for the lifestyle and we can’t let development decisions jeopardise that for future generations.
What I am hearing when I am talking to the community is that there is pretty strong alignment that people want progress at the foreshores (parks, parking, recreation), but they do not want to sell community owned Jetty Foreshores land for up to 450 apartments.
If elected, I will strongly fight for what the community wants as reflected in the poll results.
Why should locals vote for you?
There are battles that we are facing now, around the foreshores for example, that I genuinely think I am best placed to represent the community’s interests on.
I am strong enough to stand up to the state and Federal Governments when needed.
As a truly independent candidate, I don’t have political party affiliations or aspirations, so I am free to operate purely in the best interests of the local community.
What are your thoughts on the plans for the Jetty Foreshores?
I will be voting no to the poll question that asks about selling some of the foreshores for residential apartments.
To be clear, this is not an anti-development stance.
When I’m talking to local people, they are happy for apartment blocks to go in the already built-up areas of Park Beach, the area already approved across from the Jetty strip on Harbour Drive and the city centre where there are already apartments underway.
Everyone wants more housing, everyone wants Coffs to prosper economically, everyone wants the foreshores enhanced, but I am yet to speak to many at all who want to sell foreshores land for multi-story residential apartments.
Group H Labor: Anthony Judge, Htun Htun Oo, Leahlah Durow, Glenis Hunter and Danny Wilson
What have you identified as a major issues in your area, and how would you address it if elected?
Lack of social and affordable housing on the Coffs Coast is affecting every aspect of our lives.
We are losing the opportunity to recruit nurses to our hospitals and teachers to our schools because they cannot find affordable accommodation.
Families are under rental stress and many are forced to move out of our region.
The count of people sleeping rough has grown by 80% in the last 12 months.
Council cannot fund significant housing development, but we can advocate to other levels of government, work in partnership and set our planning rules to encourage more affordable housing.
If I have the privilege of being mayor, I would be using the strong relationship I have developed with the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Shelter NSW and local experts to find real solutions – and find them fast.
Why should locals vote for you?
My motto for my current term in council has been “turn up, stand up and speak up” and my record shows that’s what I have done as I have never missed a meeting.
We need our community to feel that council is on their side and that means giving community a voice.
I successfully argued for a rent reduction for our homeless hub, Pete’s Place.
I successfully moved to protect Woolgoolga’s iconic poinciana trees and I achieved agreement to restore funding for Harmony Day events to support our diverse community.
What are your thoughts on the plans for the Jetty Foreshores?
The Jetty Foreshores should be kept in public hands.
Coffs Harbour will grow significantly over the next 20 years and we will need space to gather, celebrate and make the best of our beautiful local environment.
That land needs to be saved for all of us to use.
We know that multistorey private residential, as planned by the State government will cause traffic, parking and congestion problems.
However, the greatest damage will be the loss of a sense that it’s a space we all share and with six storey private housing, it will dominate visually, and at times of the day will even cast a shadow on the beach.
We need development, but it should be for recreational and public use, not locked away in privately owned residences.
Got a news tip? Email toni.moon@news.com.au
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Originally published as Who’s who: City of Coffs council election candidates profiled
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