Kylie Maunder – Richmond Valley meet your candidates

By Tim Howard

The Northern Rivers Times has asked all of the candidates for the September 14 local government elections to introduce themselves to voters identify the issues they want to address and policies they would pursue if elected.

A number of candidates did not meet the deadline for publication but are welcome to send in copy for coming editions of The Northern Rivers Times before the election date.

Kylie Maunder

Yamandhu marang, my name is Kylie Maunder and I’m a proud Wiradjuri woman, blessed to be living breathing and learning on Bundjalung country for most of my life.

I grew up in a small village outside of Casino and have experienced first-hand the lack of supports and infrastructure for regional communities.

My background has been in leadership in community services, disability, family support, aboriginal engagement, reconciliation and aboriginal leadership.

My goals and passions are educating and inspiring the broader community through culture, closing the gap on education, health, and support healing through connection.

For more 2024 Local Elections News, click here.

Ninth councillor could decide mayor

By Tim Howard

The race to secure the ninth and final spot on Clarence Valley Council could also be decisive in deciding who becomes the next mayor.

With more than 31,000 votes counted since voting closed on September 14, the first seven or eight spots appear locked in, but a four-way battle is building for the final spot.

As of Saturday’s counting first time candidate Amanda Brien held ninth spot with 1505 first preference votes ahead of incumbent Karen Toms on 1410.

Also in the mix were former councillor Andrew Baker on 1131 and another incumbent, Ulmarra’s Steve Pickering, on 1093.

Two of the field, incumbent mayor Peter Johnston, who had 3731 votes and a 1.22 share of his quota and first time candidate Ray Smith who had 2415 and 0.73 of a quota, have begun canvassing for mayoral votes.

Both were confident they have four votes from those most likely to find themselves on council, but conceded the ninth councillor to be elected could hold the crucial vote for both of them.

Mr Johnstone said it appeared that either Ms Brien and Ms Toms were most likely to secure the last spot.

And he acknowledged that while he was sure of support from Ms Toms, his observations of the election campaign led him to believe Mr Smith would have Ms Brien’s support.

“She was giving out Ray Smith’s how to votes and he was giving out hers and they both had their corflutes up in Dougherty property,” Mr Johnstone said.

Mr Smith did not comment on the record about where his support came from because of uncertainty over the final result.

“I’ve had a couple of the potential councillors ring me to indicate their support if I stood,” he said.

“But I guess we really can’t do anything until the final nine have been declared.”

Mr Smith said the outcome would not be determined until early next month.

Former Grafton City Council general manager Ray Smith has emerged as an alternative mayoral candidate, claiming he has support from three other candidates likely to be elected to the council.

“I’ve been told the Declaration of the Poll will be on October 3,” Mr Smith said.

“And then the meeting to elect the mayor and deputy mayor will be on October 17.”

Before the poll is declared the vital, if complex, distribution of preferences will decide the formation of the next council.

The NSW Electoral Commission website has a description of the

“Where an elected candidate has a surplus of ballot papers over the quota, this surplus is transferred to the continuing candidates (i.e. those not yet elected or excluded).

“If multiple candidates are elected, each candidate’s surplus is transferred (one at a time) to the continuing candidates, from the highest surplus to the lowest.

“To transfer a surplus, all the ballot papers received by the elected candidate are sorted to their next preferred continuing candidate.

“Each ballot paper is then worth a portion of that surplus. This portion is called the transfer value.

“Example: if an elected candidate had 100 ballot papers and their surplus was 10 votes, then each ballot paper would be worth 0.1 of a vote.

:A continuing candidate receiving 20 of these ballot papers would therefore receive two of the 10 surplus votes.

“After each transfer of ballot papers (and their associated votes), if any more candidates have reached quota, they are elected and added to the queue of surpluses to be transferred.

“This transfer of surpluses continues (one at a time) until all have been transferred.

Then, if vacancies remain, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is excluded.

“All the ballot papers received by this candidate, including those received from surplus transfers, are sorted to the continuing candidates according to their next available preference.”

The preferences from excluded candidates are transferred as a full vote.

Both mayoral candidates are refining their pitches ahead of the vote.

Mr Johnstone said this election was more uncertain than the 2021 poll which was not decided until the 14th preference count.

Mr Johnstone also cautioned that other councillors could come forward as candidates for mayor or deputy.

“I know that Debrah (Novak) normally puts her hand up every time, so wouldn’t be surprised if she does again,” he said.

Mr Johnstone said he would back his record as mayor, even though he had only been in the position for a year.

“I think I’m hearing all the time from the community that I think I’ve done a good job,” he said.

“I’ve only been in place for a year, which normally, mayors are in place for at least two.

“Obviously, the elected mayors are in for four and but, you know, with a peer elected one, so every two years, and I’ve only had one, and what I’ve done is I’ve made a foundation.

“I think it’s a very good foundation.”

Mayoral incumbent Peter Johnstone says criticism of the voting patterns in council last term was not warranted.

Mr Smith has never stood for office, but has 30 years experience as a council general manager, including from 1993 to 2004 as general manager of the Grafton City Council.

He returned to the Clarence in 2022 and what he observed in the past two years convinced him to run for council and mayor.

“I was disappointed in the way it was operating,” he said. “There were factions in council and there were voting blocks more often than not, it went five, four, and I just felt that when you’re voting in a block, you’re not voting with your conscience, and that impedes good decision making, and therefore it becomes detrimental to the Clarence Valley.”

Mr Johnstone disputed Mr Smith’s description of the voting patterns.

He said he had created a spreadsheet of voting patterns on what he called “contentious issues”, votes decided 5-4 or 6-3.

“Now they’re no surprises with several,” he said.

“Alison and Karen voted together a lot, as did Ian and Bill.

“But then when you get away from that he people I voted with least are actually what I would have considered my best mates on council, Greg and Jeff.

“And yet, I voted very strongly with Ian and Bill, but also with Karen.

“So you know that I think this idea that there’s some sort of voting block, it isn’t borne out by the facts.”

Mr Smith said the council looked to be in a solid financial position and had done some good things over its last term.

But he said it had continued to alienate many in the community and he wanted to tackle this issue.

“My first priority would be improving the council’s engagement with the community, because that was certainly made loud and clear during the campaign process,” he said.

“The feedback I was receiving was just that lack of genuine engagement.

“Councillors were listening to the community, but you can listen, then you’ve got to put some action to what you’ve heard.”

Only one candidate, the Greens’ Greg Clancy, has indicated he would stand for the deputy’s job.

He was elected as deputy mayor on a ticket with Ian Tiley in 2021, but did not stand for election at the mayoral election last year. He was replaced by Jeff Smith, who, like Mr Tiley, did not run this time.

Dr Clancy was often critical of the last council’s leadership and decisions and said he would support Mr Smith’s bid to become mayor.

“I hope he can see his way clear to give me some support,” Dr Clancy said.

Northern Rivers Election results to date

By Samantha Elley

NSW voted for their council representatives over the weekend and while results aren’t finalised, we have compiled the results so far at time of printing (Monday 16th of September).

Ballina

Residents of the coastal local government area showed they have been happy with the work Sharon Cadwallader has been doing as mayor. She is currently sitting at 45.08% of the vote with her nearest rival, the Greens Kiri Dicker. a long way back at 25.79%

A ward favourites include the Greens Erin Karsten on 20.73%, Independent Damian Loone following closely at 17.35% and ALP’s Maria Marshall on 14.07%, although Independent’s Kevin Loughrey is close on her heels at 13.52%.

B ward has larger margins with Sharon Cadwallader taking 36.12% of the vote then Kiri Dicker, much closer than in the mayoral race at 31.34%. After that the closest candidate is ALP’s Andrew Broadley on 11.65%.

C ward has the Greens Simon Chate leading the chase on 36.21%, followed by Independent Simon Kinny on 28.47% and another Independent These Crollick on 15.12%

Byron

Current mayor Michael Lyon’s recent public issues are reflected in the sad results of his race to get back in the top job, with his mayoral vote hitting a paltry 17.29% compared to Sarah Ndiaye of the Greens who is sitting on 34.71%. However, there is a chance ALP’s Asren Pugh is not discounted yet with 30.37% of the vote.

The Greens also have a chance of strong representation on council as Group D holds 40.22% of votes for their council candidates, followed by the ALP at 27.95%.

Kyogle

While it has been tradition that elected councillors in Kyogle voted for the mayor, residents of this inland local government area had the extra task of deciding in a referendum question, whether or not they wanted a popularly elected mayor and a reduction in the ward numbers or the status quo. Results at time of printing were not available.

A ward’s most popular candidate thus far is Brett McNamara with 31.15% of the vote, followed by Kieran Somerville with 26.67% and long-standing councillor Janet Wilson at 18.40%.

B ward’s winning candidate is currently Olivia Taylor with 34.03%, then current councillor John Burley 25% and Robert Cullen on 19.29%.

In C ward popular councillor and previous mayor Danielle Mulholland holds 40.88% of the vote with Tom Cooper on 21.06% coming second and Robin Harley on 13.63% holding the bronze.

Lismore

There is no doubting the popularity of current mayor Steve Krieg who looks like holding his seat with 48.38% of the vote, trailed by the Greens Vanessa Grindon-Ekins on 21.13%.

The Independent Group A look like, not only getting their mayor back in but will fill a few seats around the council table with 42.39% of votes.

They are followed by the Greens Group D with 26.77% and ALP’s Group B holding 18.77%.

Richmond Valley

It looks like business as usual for the Richmond Valley with mayor Robert Mustow holding a comfortable lead to retain his role on 38.93%. He was given a run for his money by newcomer Lyndall Murray in the early part of counting before she settled around 27.17%.

There should be a mixture of new and old faces on council with Group D, led by the current mayor, Robert Mustow receiving 41.42% of the vote and newcomers, with Lyndall Murray, Group C, second with 25.69%. Group A led by previous Richmond Valley general manager, John Walker obtained a healthy 20.51%.

Tweed

A large number of parties were vying for all council positions with the current group with most votes being the Liberals with 28.74%. ALP are a comfortable second on 14.96% and Independent Group A, led by current mayor, Chris Cherry in third with 13.42%.

To keep up to date with the Northern Rivers Elections Results, click here.

For more local elections news, click here.