After electing a new state member just two weeks ago, Newcastle voters will again head to the polls this weekend, this time to choose a new Lord Mayor.
Below is a few words from six of the seven candidates (in ballot paper order) about why they want to lead our city.
Note: NBN News has been unable to contact the seventh candidate, Joe Ferguson, for a response.
AARON BUMAN (Independent)
“From 2004 through till 2012 I represented Ward 1 on Newcastle City Council. This period was incredibly frustrating, as to me the required actions were obvious but there were too many councillors focused on their political future rather than our city’s future.
The balance of the council presently is tenuous. The cause of the economic malaise in my opinion is the systemic failure of previous councils to address the fundamental budgetary issues. Already we have heard promises from the ALP candidate to fund various projects, but no promises to trim expenditure. Not one.
If elected I will lead the council to make the required budget reforms that will allow us to provide everything we HAVE to provide, and some of the things we WANT to provide. I make no promises to fund any projects. I promise to make cuts to non-core services that can easily be accommodated by the private sector.
“There is no bold vision in what I am offering. Local council shouldn’t be about bold visions unless the funding is there to achieve them and in Newcastle it isn’t. We need to get the basics right, and I have the experience and the will to get it done.”
DAVID CHAPMAN (Independent)
“I want Newcastle to be a vibrant, modern, cultured city with a sound economy. I want to preserve the city’s heritage and low rise character of the East End and recognise that many thriving small businesses have as much value as mega-projects. We need transparency in approvals and to remove conflicts of interest. We need to remove the barriers, costs and delays to businesses starting up.
We must continue recent progress in improving Council finances. We can’t spend big now to burden future generations.
I want to open the City to the Harbour while maintaining a light rail to the city in the existing corridor with cycleways, footpaths, cafes etc. Decisions to terminate heavy rail on Boxing Day and relocate light rail to Hunter St are tainted by ICAC revelations and should be abandoned. The savings should be used to extend light rail through Newcastle. We need a tram-rail service to our CBD from Central and the Hunter – preferably with carriages constructed here in the Hunter. A win-win for all!
I am experienced in business, finance and local government and own the Newcastle City Business Centre opposite the old Post Office.
I want to be elected as an independent mayor who can unify the council’s factions.”
ROD HOLDING (Independent)
“Newcastle’s Mayor needs to have the integrity of a true independent and avoid the squalid politics of the major parties supported by sleazy vested interests. I will immediately donate $15,000 from the mayoral allowance to attach solar panels onto council workshops once elected. The Hamilton North gas works would also be perfect for a solar power station.
My vision of Newcastle is as a self-sustaining energy producer, delivering revenues back to the community. City revitalization must be debated in a transparent forum and council’s ‘compliance’ should not be dictated by corrupt developers or Sydney. Ugly high rise blocks should not blight our uniquely beautiful city and vacant buildings allover need using. The empty B.H.P site would be more appropriate to build the Shanghai of the south.
Rail infrastructure needs upgrading, not destroying by small minded vandals. In other cities rail lines are trenched below ground and apartments built above operating lines, these are considered desirable homes for commuting. How many bridges were built over the Hunter Expressway without a flyover for Stuart Avenue? The congestion between Parry St and Honeysuckle drive traffic lights is ridiculous. Newcastle’s dilapidation has been brought on by state government hording and shows a total contempt for the people of Newcastle.”
BRAD LUKE (Independent)
“Over the last few years Newcastle has begun a transformation into a world-class city. I will ensure that continues. After 6 years on council and the last 2 years as the Deputy Lord Mayor I have been a part of the key decisions that have helped Newcastle move forward.
To give some context, two years ago Newcastle Council had a $29 million yearly loss. Clearly this was not sustainable. Through strong leadership the operating budget is now balanced. This means we can confidently look to the future with the knowledge that we will be able to afford the facilities our community wants.
Council recently identified 9 key projects that the community ranked in the order of importance to them. The top four projects were:
- Hunter street revitalisation;
- The coastal revitalisation (Labor and Green councillors even fought against the Anzac Memorial Walk
- Improvements to Blackbutt Reserve; and
- To implement the cycling strategy.
Labor councillors have said the will ignore the ranking of these projects and re-prioritise them so that a project that the community ranked last out of nine takes precedence.
To maintain Newcastle’s positive momentum we need to keep a control on our spending and we need to concentrate on the issues important to all the community and deliver the fundamentals expected of council like libraries, parks and footpaths.”
NUATALI NELMES (Labor)
“I am committed to renewing pride in Newcastle, and our region, by working hard to deliver results.
My plan for Newcastle will ensure our children grow up in the healthy, vibrate and smart city we deserve. If elected Lord Mayor, I will continue on my strong track record and will:
- Restore trust and integrity in local government decision making by continuing Labor’s commitment to open and transparent governance on Council. I will ensure that community consultation and feedback is sought and listened to, and that Council’s decisions are financially, socially and environmentally sustainable.
- Deliver City Revitalisation and urban renewal in our historic CBD by working in partnership with small business and non-for-profit organisations, like Renew Newcastle.
- Protect and improve Council services by maintaining quality public pools, parks and libraries, ensuring Beresfield Pool is kept open and affordable, reintroduce full season lifeguards to our beaches and delivering upgrades to Blackbutt Reserve. I will also continue support affordable community based childcare.
- Improve transport by expediting the roll out of cycleways to connect the missing links between the City and the suburbs. Save the Newcastle Rail Line by working with state representatives to implement a multi-million dollar rail corridor beautification program that will provide connectivity and vital public transport infrastructure.
- Create a dynamic hub for cultural expression and civic life in Newcastle by partnering with state representatives to complete the $21 million Newcastle Art Gallery Redevelopment.”
THERESE DOYLE (The Greens)
“I want to be elected Lord Mayor because:
- I want to see Newcastle become the city it can be with some clear-sighted planning; a prosperous, vibrant city that is home to a diverse range of manufacturing, knowledge and service-based industries.
- I want a city that thrives on the talents, energy and engagement of its diverse citizens. I am especially keen to ensure that our sporting, arts and cultural life is nurtured and supported by Council, especially for young people.
- I want to protect, showcase and restore our built heritage so unique among Australian cities. We need development that suits our existing advantages – a beautiful foreshore and ridge line dominated by the cathedral. I don’t want to see that ruined by inappropriately located high-rise buildings. We can build on the current revitalisation of the CBD, tap the talent of the University CBD campus and support new commercial development in the West End.
- I want to foster active transport throughout the city by connecting a network of safe cycleways that can take residents all around the city and by making footpaths accessible, including for those with prams and wheelchairs.
- I strongly support an expanded, efficient, frequent and reliable public transport system based around our existing intercity rail service, which mustn’t be cut.”
