Early voting in the Junee by-election opens 16 November. Photo: Junee Community News.
Voters in Junee will head to the polls from Saturday (16 November) for early voting in the local government by-election to fill the remaining seat on Junee Shire Council.
Junee has nine councillor positions but only eight people nominated for the September poll – meaning that they automatically secured a chair and a subsequent by-election was required to fill the ninth spot.
Surprisingly, six new candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, making it a hotly contested race.
“It’s a bit of a comedy thing now when we talk about it,” said Junee Mayor Bob Callow with a chuckle.
“We’ve got six people for one spot and I say to all of them – well, where were you a month ago?”
Voting is compulsory for eligible residents within the local government area and pre-polling opens tomorrow at the Junee Recreation & Aquatic Centre on Lorne Street ahead of election day on Saturday 23 November.
Cr Callow said the uncontested appointment of the current team of eight came as a big surprise, particularly to first-time candidate Ingrid Eyding.
“She said she threw a hat in because she thought – oh well, I’ll have a go, but I probably won’t have much of a chance, not being all that local or well known – and then ‘bang’, there you go, she’s in!” he said.
“But the good news is that we’ve now got six good people for the by-election and they all seem pretty keen, and really I think any one of them would be a good choice.”
Our friends at Junee Community News have done a great job of compiling an overview of each candidate for those wanting to know more ahead of the vote.
The candidates in order on the ballot paper are:
1. Peter Thompson
2. Mark Vaughn
3. Brigid Austin
4. Peter Nell
5. Robert Minister
6. Allan Tucker
Looking ahead, Junee’s mayor said the team was off to Tamworth this weekend for the local government conference where he was hoping for a positive outcome on the NSW Government’s Rural Fires Amendment (Red Fleet) Bill.
The bill would transfer ownership of NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) vehicles, fire trucks and buildings from local councils back to the State Government.
“We’ll be pushing our barrow there regarding a few things, like the red fleet [bill], that have been hanging around our head for ages and ages,” Cr Callow said.
“It looks like Treasury has finally decided to get stuck in and fix that for us, so that’ll be lovely to hear if that is the case when we get up there.
“Otherwise, it’s a matter of keeping this place rocking along as beautiful as it is.”
Early polling opens on Saturday 16 November, 9 am – 6 pm and Monday 18 November – Wednesday 20 November, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Thursday 21 November – Friday 22 November, 8:30 am – 6 pm.
For information about the by-election visit the NSW Electoral Commission website.
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