PRE-POLLING has opened for the local government elections.
The Scone Advocate asked each of the Upper Hunter Shire’s 13 candidates two questions to help residents to decide their vote.
The questions were:
- Why should Upper Hunter residents vote for you on September 10?
- What are you hoping to achieve/what are the issues that concern you most?
Here is Maurice Collison’s response:
Question 1: I was elected as a Councillor four years ago by the residents of the Upper Hunter Shire, during the past four years I believe I have upheld the faith you the residents put in me and have worked very hard on all tasks that have been put in front of me.
I have represented you on the following committees: Chair of the Upper Hunter Regional Saleyards, Chair of the Upper Hunter Regional Airport, Chair of the Traffic Committee, active committee member of the Works and Technical Services (roads and bridges), Upper Hunter County Council ( Noxious weeds Committee), Liverpool Range RFS Committee (Rural Fire), Land Committee, Audit Advisory Committee, Local Emergency Management,.
Question 2: I will continue to work as hard as I have during the past 4 years as one of your preferred Councillors on all different areas of the shire with an open mind and work as a team with all other councillors for the best outcome for you the residents.
The following projects I am keen to see completed are the bypass and rail over bridge, Water Pipe line to Murrurundi, Secure funding for the new infrastructure for the undercover area and soft floor of the Saleyards, Secure funding for the drainage and upgrade of amenities and infrastructure for the Upper Hunter Regional Airport.
Some of my concerning issues are still the continuation of improving our Rural Roads, Streets and Footpaths. Also tourism is a big part of our Shire and it has to be looked at closely as we need to be ready to make sure our town of Scone survives the coming bypass of our town centre.
We must make sure we encourage our passing trade to enter our town centre and make sure the whole of our Shire becomes more RV friendly.
Local pre-polling locations and dates include:
- August 29 to September 9 – Upper Hunter Shire Council Administration Centre, 135 Liverpool Street, Scone.
- August 29 to September 9 – Muswellbrook region returning officer’s office, Shop 7, 88-96 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook.
- September 7 to September 9 – Upper Hunter Shire Council offices, 47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi.
- September 8 to September 9 – Upper Hunter Shire Council offices, 42 Vennacher Street, Merriwa.
