John Connors will return for a second term as mayor of Dungog with the Sugarloaf resident running uncontested for the position in the local government election.
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Mr Connors, who was elected mayor by the council in March 2020 following the resignation of Tracy Norman, was the only person to nominate for the position in the December 4 council election.
As outlined in the Local Government Act 1993, if only one candidate nominates for the position of mayor then, without a poll being held, they are "taken to have been elected".
Mr Connors, who is also an A Ward councillor, said a desire to complete a full term on Dungog Shire Council was what drove him to nominating in the 2021 local government election.
"I wanted to do a full term and to provide the community with some continuity because there has been so many changes during this term of council," he said. "The general manager and mayor changed in 2020. It's important to provide the community with some stability."
The barrister said his goals for a new term on council was to continue seeking funding for roads and bridges across the Dungog Shire.
"For a small council like Dungog, finance is a challenge. We are dependent on government grants and funding. The last couple of years we have been very fortunate to receive a lot of government funding for roads and bridges. I will be continuing to seek government funding for the upgrade and maintenance of roads and bridges across Dungog."
Residents will head to the polls on Saturday, December 4 to elect two new councillors in each of Dungog's three wards.
Nominations for the election closed on Wednesday, November 3, and a ballot to determine the order in which candidates will appear on voting cards was held on Thursday, November 4.
The ballot draw to determine the order was held at the returning office in Raymond Terrace, which Mr Connors attended.
Dungog's council candidates as they will appear on the ballot paper are:
A Ward
Michael Dowling (Independent)
Stephen (Sparrow) Farrow (Independent)
John Connors (Independent)
Michael Tobin (Independent)
B Ward
Jessica Clark (Independent)
Alan Green (Independent)
Stephen Low (Independent)
C Ward
Digby Rayward (Independent)
Bradley Bale (Independent)
Peter Millynn (Independent)
Pre-polling (voting before election day on Saturday, December 4) will open on November 22 and close December 3.
Voting will be available from 8am to 6pm on December 4.
Results in all NSW local government elections will be delivered progressively between December 21-23.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
