Rayward set to have a dig at town's top job

Currently sitting in his second term on Dungog Council, Mr Rayward said that he's only running for the top position and if unsuccessful won't be running for council.

Mr Rayward hopes to bring a different leadership style to council.

"I'm a different person to the current mayor and what happens is you tend to bring that style of leadership on and it's based on your life skills," he said.

"My style is inclusive. We're only as good as the team around us so it'll be inclusive and certainly with all the other councillors.

"I want to be doing town hall things where you get the key people with all the brains and say this is what's happening and where should we be looking at. A bit like what the Chamber of Commerce has been doing with the Future of Farming Forums."

Leading up to the elections Mr Rayward said he wasn't sure whether he would run for any position let alone mayor, however after a number of members from the Dungog community voiced their support for his campaign he decided to step up.

"In the last few weeks I've had so much pressure and a number of groups wanting to support me so I said the only way I'll do it was to stand only as mayor. I don't want to sit on the council without a team around me," Mr Rayward said.

Mr Rayward sees Dungog's financial sustainability and increasing costs as key issues however he said that any candidate that is elected can lobby for more funds.

What sets Mr Rayward apart from the other candidates is his commitment to bringing the community together and engaging them in local government.

"The issue that I'm really passionate about is bringing in the community and getting them behind us so that they're engaged with the council. Councillors and council need to explore all options to tap into all areas of expertise.," he said.

Dungog's current Mayor John Connors and fellow councillor Michael Dowling have also announced that they are running for the role. The 2024 NSW Local Government Election is on Saturday, September 14.