JUST two sitting councillors have confirmed their plans to contest the Oberon local government election in September.
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Councillors Mark Kellam and Clive McCarthy will be seeking re-election when the community goes to the polls on Saturday, September 4.
Three more councillors - Mick McKechnie, Don Capel and Ian Doney - said they were still considering their position while the Oberon Review was unable to get a response from councillors Kathy Sajowitz, Kerry Gibbons, Brenda Lyon and Andrew McKibbin about their plans.
Cr McKechnie said contesting the next election should be a priority for all the current councillors.
"However, with the LGA elections still months away it is too early for me to declare my position," he said.
"I think the whole council can be satisfied with their tenure so far in this term, a great deal has been achieved such as being the first council to bring in subsidised water to assist in the current drought, first-class skate park and progress on the Oberon Common project, indoor fitness centre and upgrade to Rec Ground, new playground equipment, new lawn bowling green and bringing the SPARTAN events to Oberon.
"There is a long list of unfinished business for the current and the next council, to continue with including a new sewerage treatment plant, new rugby league grounds complex, Campbells River and Mozart Roads upgrade, unrateable land issues and beautification of Main Street and town entrances."
The elections were due to be held in September 2020 but were postponed 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The NSW Electoral Commission will run the election and Oberon Council will share a returning officer with Bathurst Regional Council and Blayney Shire Council.
Pre-polling will be available in Oberon for two weeks prior to the election date.
Voting is compulsory and residents of the Oberon Local Government area can check their enrolment status by visiting the Electoral Commission website at check.aec.gov.au.
Absentee ratepayers (that is, people who own a property in Oberon that it is not their primary place of residence) are still entitled to vote in the Oberon election as well as in the LGA where their primary place of residence is located.
Oberon Council's general manager is required to compile the non-residential roll. Applications for inclusion on the non-residential roll can be obtained from Oberon Council and must be submitted by Monday, July 26,.
Some key dates:
- Monday, June 28: Nomination online management system available to prospective candidates.
- Monday, July 26: Lodgement of nominations open.
- Wednesday, August 4: Close of nominations and close of registration of candidates and groups. Registration of electoral material opens.
- Thursday, August 5: Ballot draw.
- Monday, August 23: Pre-poll voting opens.
- Monday, August 30: Close of postal vote applications.
- Friday, September 3: Close of pre-poll voting.
- Saturday, September 4: Election day, 8am to 6pm.