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 Wayne Bedggood’s response:
Question 1: I have enjoyed my first term with the Upper Hunter Shire Council as a councillor, Deputy Mayor and finally, Mayor.
I was very fortunate to have worked with a passionate and rational group of councillors, and I feel that together we led the shire with purposeful direction and implemented many beneficial changes.
It is my hope that I will get to work with many of the current councillors again, as well as some fresh and enthusiastic new faces in the next term of council.
My time spent in local government has only re-enforced my belief that in order for our communities and regional townships to survive and prosper, we need to have strong, purposeful and clear vision about the future.
Question 2: It is my belief that our council should always have the community’s desires at the forefront of their decision making.
To this end I will be advocating strongly on the communities behalf on issues and needs such as the ongoing development of the Scone By-Pass and Rail Overpass, securing water and water infrastructure, land-use conflict resolution, sourcing funding, road rehabilitation and resilience, better use of libraries, halls and pools, better aged-care, health amenities and services, community engagement, developing tourism, job growth and workforce transition training, housing for people in distress and a Sustainability Plan to ensure a viable and healthy future for the shire.
I believe councillors need to use clear, rational, open-minded and measured deliberation to provide the best outcome for the majority.
With this in mind, it is my hope to again give you, the rate-payer, a strong voice on council, expressing whenever possible, your views, hopes and needs.
We have a unique and diverse region and with your vote and my representation on council, we can work together to promote the growth and well-being of this shire.
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.
