Veteran and urban planner Ben Wollinski announces Lyons Ward candidacy
A veteran and urban planner has thrown his hat in the ring for the upcoming Darwin city council by-election.
Northern Territory
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Navy veteran Ben Wollinski is the latest candidate to announce he intends to run in the Lyons Ward by-election.
As an urban and regional planner he hopes to ensure the CBD has suitable carparking available, improve pedestrian networks, and “fix the Cavenagh St shade structure”.
“I feel I have what it takes to address our community issues and make our community a better place,” he said.
“I have the knowledge and skills to make our place better and want to serve you and give you a voice at council to shape our community.
“As such, I am running in the Darwin city council by-election and ask for your support and to be your voice.”
Serial political contender and ‘Rubbish Warrior’ Trevor Jenkins has also revealed he intends to run in the upcoming by-election.
Mr Jenkins ran for the council in 2012 on the platform ‘Vote 1 Homeless Bum’, before contending the Casuarina by-election in 2014 and the Palmerston City council four years later.
In 2014 he appeared on Australia’s Got Talent, where he took his signature rubbish sculptures and performative art to the national stage.
The Supreme Court has also declared him the Territory’s first vexatious litigant, banning Mr Jenkins from bringing any further proceedings to NT courts.
Mr Jenkins has been contacted for comment.
A veteran, ex-prison officer and owner of a popular Darwin cafe has also announced his candidacy for the Lyons Ward local government by-election.
Mad Snake Cafe’s Sam Weston has revealed he will be swapping coffees for campaigning as inner-city Darwin voters head to the polls in the coming weeks.
He joins an infamous social media influencer, Greens candidate, local comedian and past contender in the race to claim the Darwin city council seat, left vacant after Paul Arnold’s shock resignation.
Mr Weston said if elected he would represent those with “no voice” and hold council to account for its recent decision to introduce Saturday parking fees.
“I’m disheartened (to) see leadership in (the) NT is not transparent and very questionable at times,” he said.
“The fact that I have never seen or heard of a few on the current Darwin council hits home as to why it needs some fresh positive blood.
“I like to think with all the interaction and support I have given the Darwin community over the past five years I have proved myself to you all to take this next step.”
Mr Weston is well-known for helping form the Darwin branch of the Council of Australian Veterans, while he was also an NT Local Hero finalists in the Australia Day Awards.
Shannon Joyce — best known for his management of the Facebook page Mango Inquirer — has also confirmed he would contend the upcoming by-election, potentially running under the slogan “Vote 1: Guy in a bath tub”.
Mr Joyce has been teasing his political aspirations on his Facebook page, however initially denied he was running last week.
But on Saturday the former Salvation Army worker said he had changed his mind, and would be running on a platform of youth representation and more outdoor facilities.
Mr Joyce suggested a permanent youth voice to the Darwin City Council, through an advisory body to council.
“Not a once a year conference like we probably already have, but an ongoing place at the table,” he said.
Mr Joyce said the group could meet regularly to discuss issues impacting them, or for councillors to visit schools or school representatives to attend council meetings.
“I think we need more outdoor recreational facilities, such as basketball courts and dog parks,” he said.
“There are further policies to be released closer to the election, including female-focused announcements.”
Mr Joyce has said he had no official party affiliations, and was “unbound by political deals, nor lobby group donations”.
“I am a fighter though, who will bring authenticity and clarity on what’s happening in Darwin City Council,” he said.
Mr Joyce has posted potential election corflute designs and slogans to his page — including one of him in a bathtub — and has encouraged people to vote for their favourite.
In one of the Mango Inquirer’s council election posts, now-independent Member for Blain Mark Turner provided him a few options for his campaign slogan including: ”Ripe for Change ”, “Seeding Progress in Lyons!”, “Peel back the layers” and “Bigly Ambitions, Biggerest Results with Mango Inquirer”.
The by-election comes after ex-councillor Paul Arnold resigned in May citing mental health issues, just weeks before he was sensationally arrested at his CBD store on domestic violence charges.
The online personality joins the race against comedian and Sunset Soup Kitchen founder Leah Potter, Greens member Suki Dorras-Walker and 2021 candidate Adam Troyn.
“The competition is looking stiff, and we all bring something different to the table,” Mr Joyce said.
Mr Joyce is not without controversy, having pleaded guilty in July to assaulting a Parap market stallholder by throwing self-raising flour at him while yelling “anthrax, anthrax”.
The Facebook personality had alleged the man had called him a pedophile on Facebook — but his lawyer said Mr Joyce now recognised it was an “obviously a stupid act done in broad daylight”.
In May his infamous social media account was abruptly shut down, with Mr Joyce claiming it was due to “censorship”.
However the page was relaunched under a different domain a few days later.
AUG 9: A prominent anti-fracking and Lee Point preservation protester has become the third person to announce they are running for a seat on the Darwin city council.
Suki Dorras-Walker, an NT Greens and Parents for Climate Action member, is the latest contender for the upcoming Lyons Ward by-election.
She joins comedian and Sunset Soup Kitchen founder Leah Potter, as well as 2021 candidate Adam Troyn.
The by-election comes after ex-councillor Paul Arnold resigned in May citing mental health issues, just weeks before he was sensationally arrested at his CBD store on domestic violence charges.
Ms Dorras-Walker, 35, said she wanted to bring the council’s attention to clean energy, waste reduction and community programs that “alleviate the drivers of inequality”.
“Our children deserve a thriving and sustainable environment and our community deserves a council that is accountable and transparent,” she said.
“By fostering strong partnerships between local businesses, First Nations leaders, residents, and government bodies, I want to make Darwin a shining example of urban sustainability and community cohesion.”
Adam Troyn ran in the 2021 general election, where he fell 12 votes short of a Lyons Ward spot after preferences.
The 33-year-old marketing professional said he wanted to “bring a young voice” into local government.
“Darwin is the youngest capital city in Australia – unfortunately we are under-represented on council in a big way,” he said.
“It is clear that over the past two years since the general election in August 2021, not a whole lot has improved for either businesses or residents across the Lyons Ward.”
Mr Troyn said if elected, he would aim to improve public amenities, review parking fees and rates and make council operations more accessible to the public by publishing recordings of meetings.
Ms Potter ran as an independent candidate for the NT seat of Port Darwin in 2020 and for Lord Mayor of Darwin the following year where she came third.
Earlier this year she hit out at Darwin city council’s decision to fine rough sleepers, after the council faced “significant pressure” from Territory MLAs to do so.
“I have campaigned against fracking … (and) the decriminalisation of the sex industry for 20 years,” she said.
“I opposed the development of Lee Point, I campaigned for the legalisation of medicinal marijuana in the Northern Territory.
“What you see is what you get, I am absolutely transparent.
“There are no skeletons in my closet – mine have all already been front page.
“I work at what I believe in, I don’t just appear when there is an election, I continue to try to make my hometown a better place every day.”
Darwin mayor Kon Vatskalis said being a councillor was a “rewarding role”.
“Council’s elected members come from all walks of life, and they have a unique opportunity to represent the community where they live,” he said.
“Being able to make a difference at a grassroots level is incredibly satisfying and I encourage community-minded people to consider nominating.”
Nominations open this Thursday and close on August 18 when ballot positions will be drawn.
Lyons Ward voters, which include people living in Darwin city, Larrakeyah, The Gardens, Stuart Park, Bayview, Woolner, Parap and The Narrows, have until August 15 to update their enrolment details.
Voting will then open on August 21 and run for almost two weeks, before the winner is declared on September 18.
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