Familiar faces likely to contest Alice Springs Town Council by-election

A BY-election costing just under $100,000 will determine the ninth individual on Alice Springs Town Council, with some familiar faces likely to challenge.

Kylie Bonnani listening to her Ipod

A BY-election costing just under $100,000 will determine the ninth individual on Alice Springs Town Council, with some familiar faces considering throwing their hats back in the ring.

The election comes after deputy mayor Kylie Bonnani resigned last week following an extended period of leave taken to care for her ill mother.

Ms Bonnani’s term was set to last to August 2017, after she was elected in a by-election in November 2013 to replace Councillor Geoff Booth.

Mayor Damien Ryan said the NT Electoral Commission had been notified of her resignation and they would now wait until the date of the new election was called.

“We’ve budgeted for $100,000 for a circumstance like this,” he said.

“All elected members on council get involved in lots of different committees and community work and I thank Kylie for her time on council.

“I welcome anyone who is interested in the role if they want to know what it involves, please contact me.”

IT business owner Jane Clark, who served as a councillor for two terms but did not contest the 2012 general election, said she was thinking about returning and “putting out feelers”.

“I needed to take a break and get perspective, it was hard work after eight years,” she said.

Ms Clark said she could bring her tourism experience to council and had a vision to develop technology in town and become a cyber hub.

Prominent member of the arts community, Edan Baxter, who ran in the 2013 by-election against Ms Bonnani, said he would consider running for council again.

“I’m not ruling out my options,” he said.

“I would like to help develop a strong economy in Alice Springs.

“However, politics in general in the Northern Territory is a mess at the moment, I would have to think before re-entering.”

Business owner John Bridgefoot, who lives in Sydney, said he would think about moving back to Alice Springs in order to run for council.

“I’m giving it some thought, I would consider it,” he said.

“I won’t rule out coming back to Alice Springs.”

Mr Bridgefoot said he still had property in town.

A new deputy mayor was expected to be selected by councillors at a meeting held last night.

Councillor Liz Martin has been on extended leave as well.