The council election is just days away but what do we know about the candidates vying for nine positions on Goulburn Mulwaree?
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Six current councillors are having another tilt at the Saturday, December 4 poll, including Mayor Bob Kirk, Deputy Mayor Peter Walker, Margaret O'Neill, Carol James, Leah Ferrara and Andrew Banfield.
But fresh faces have also come forward. Mission Australia southeast and ACT regional manager Dan Strickland, TAFE horticulture teacher Tim Dally, Radio Goulburn news reporter Michael Prevedello, local entertainer Steve Ruddell, Bungonia man Adam Milani and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Andy Wood are among the nominees.
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This year, a Labor ticket is entering the race. Goulburn Labor branch president Jason Shepherd is leading the card, followed by Anna Wurth-Crawford, Danielle Marsden-Ballard, Warren Murray and Nathan Smith.
Pre-polling for the election opened on Monday, November 22 at the returning office at 133 Bourke Street and runs until Friday, December 3.
In Goulburn Mulwaree, polling stations will be located at:
- Bradfordville Public School
- Bungonia Hall
- Goulburn East Public School
- Goulburn High School
- Goulburn Scout Hall, corner of Addison and Bourke Streets
- Uniting Church Hall, Goldsmith Street, Goulburn
- Goulburn West Public School
- Marulan Hall
- Saint Jospeph's Primary School, Goulburn
- Tallong Hall
- Tarago Hall
Here's a potted rundown on the contenders in order of appearance on the ballot paper.
Andrew Banfield
Andrew Banfield was elected to Goulburn Mulwaree Council in 2008.
The 56-year-old, who is employed for the Divall family group of companies, said he'd learnt a great deal over the years, including the need for councillors to work as a collective.
He cites the Highland Source Pipeline as a the defining infrastructure from which significant growth, including residential development and the Tribe Brewery, have flowed.
Cr Banfield has also pushed for development of the Wollondilly Riverwalk over the past few years.
Adam Milani
Adam Milani is a Bungonia farmer who says he only has one interest - being a representative for his fellow rural residents and making sure the community secures what it needs.
"Whether that's fighting for money for our community or fighting for service upgrades, whatever your issue is, if you bring it to me I'll fight without compromise to ensure our community gets what it needs and that funds are spread fairly and used appropriately to benefit the rate payers of our community," he said.
Mr Milani said he had "spine" and "called a spade a spade."
"All I want is for our community to be treated fairly and have a voice."
Margaret O'Neill
The 'stayer' in the field, Cr Margaret O'Neill OAM is in her 39th year of local government.
The Challenge Foundation CEO was elected to the former Goulburn City Council in 1983 and served until the 2004 amalgamations, including as mayor from 1993 to 1999. Cr O'Neill was re-elected to Greater Argyle Council (soon to be re-named Goulburn Mulwaree) in 2004.
She was awarded an OAM in 2017 for service to local government and the community. At the time she told The Post she "lived and breathed Goulburn."
Sporting facilities and services for seniors are high on Cr O'Neill's agenda.
Michael Prevedello
Best known as 2GN's newsreader, Michael Prevedello has been a part of the Goulburn community for many years. He worked at the radio station from 1973 to 1986 and returned in 2017 following stints managing his family's Mulwaree Private Hotel boarding house and Goulburn's Home, Timber and Hardware store in Sloane Street.
Mr Prevedello previously served one term on the former Goulburn City Council in the late 1980s/early 1990s. He wants more events for the area, including a wool festival, and says it's vital to encourage more business.
He's also pushing better connectivity around Goulburn as the city grows and says infrastructure must keep pace throughout the entire council area.
Carol James
Cr Carol James was elected to Goulburn Mulwaree Council in 2008 and served as mayor for two years.
She describes herself as a 'community player, not a political player.' The 2015 Goulburn Woman of the Year has been involved in Goulburn Scouts for the past 21 years, the Youth Council since about 2008 and helped out with the Young Achievers program. Cr James is also a member of the Community Drug Action Team, the Goulburn and District Suicide Prevention Network and works on the Salvation Army's 'Sallie van.'
She believed the current council had achieved a great deal in the past four years, particularly with large infrastructure projects.
Daniel Strickland
Mr Strickland says if elected he won't come to the council with set views. Instead he plans to listen to the community.
The 44-year-old Mission Australia southeastern NSW and ACT area manager wants to be a "voice for the voiceless." He works with some of the most vulnerable member of the community in his role.
The 2020 Goulburn Australia Day citizen of the year is also Lilac City Festival vice-president, a member of the Suicide Prevention Network and initiator of Goulburn's popular 'Man Walk' for mental health.
Steve Ruddell
The local entertainer and driving trainer is running as an independent.
Mr Ruddell is a regular observer at council meetings and says participation is key. He's keen to bring more music festivals and sporting events to Goulburn Mulwaree.
Mr Ruddell, a Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and Rotary member told The Post he didn't have any agendas but wanted the area to thrive. This also meant the towns and villages.
Andy Wood
(Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party)
Mr Wood, a former teacher, has vowed to stand against anything that is detrimental to country communities.
He is vehemently opposed to the proposed Woodlawn waste to energy plant. Mr Wood also campaigned against a similar facility at Bungonia.
He laments the number of recently closed businesses and says it's vital Goulburn Mulwaree entices more.
Peter Walker
Cr Walker was elected to the council in 2016 and won the deputy mayoral position in 2018.
The Middle Arm resident says he's a passionate supporter of the towns and villages and is against the waste to energy plant at Tarago.
He also cites better use of the TAFE campus for youth training, a community centre in Bourke Street and a permanent home for Riding for Disabled and Goulburn Campdraft among his priorities, if elected.
Tim Dally
Tim Dally grew up in the Marulan area and has moved back there with his wife and three children.
The Goulburn TAFE horticulture and landscape construction teacher says he's not anti-development but the area's growth must be carefully managed.
"One of the things is that we don't want to become is another suburb of Sydney," he said.
"It's great to have growth, but we don't want to lose the country charm, the lifestyle people love."
Mr Dally is running as an independent.
Bob Kirk
Bob Kirk took over the mayoral role from Geoff Kettle in 2016.
He was elected in 2008 and subsequently served as deputy mayor. Cr Kirk was born in Goulburn, moved away for work and returned as the Commonwealth Bank manager. He has lived in Goulburn for 47 years.
"I've been fortunate to be in this role," Cr Kirk said.
"Over the last five-year term, the region has gone through one of its best periods. I've been at the helm and it's a pretty good place to be right now."
He attributed this to a "cohesive council" and strong part to strong relationships with state and federal political leaders to argue Goulburn Mulwaree's case.
Leah Ferrara (The Greens)
Leah Ferrara is standing for her second term.
The Greens member said she had learnt a great deal over the past four years but there was more to do.
The Bunnings team leader said climate change was placing pressure on councils and while Goulburn Mulwaree had "hit the ground running" in its response, tighter planning controls, around aspects like roof solar and water tanks, could make housing more environmentally friendly.
The Tirrannaville resident also says she's passionate about the towns and villages.
Labor ticket
The ticket, headed by Goulburn Branch president Jason Shepherd is listed separately on the left hand side of the ballot paper.
1. Jason Shepherd
Jason Shepherd is Goulburn Labor branch president.
The 50-year-old consultant engineer says if elected, members will vote independently on issues and not necessarily according to a caucus system.
The consultant engineer has a particular focus on vulnerable people but also wants to see council assets "better used" for the community's benefit.
He is also an SES volunteer, a former member of Goulburn Health Services' community consultative committee, a past director of Angels for the Forgotten, which established Goulburn's first food bank, a former Kids in Care committee member and Meals on Wheels volunteer of 10 years.
2. Anna Wurth-Crawford
The former mental health nurse with 46 years' experience said she joined the Labor ticket because the party had "high principles."
"They want equality, fairness and great services for our community," she said.
Mrs Wurth-Crawford has cited improved health services, and action on climate change and a second access for Run-O-Waters among her key issues. She is opposed to Veolia's waste to energy plant proposal at Tarago and favours compromise on the Wakefield Park raceway.
3. Danielle Marsden-Ballard
The educator, environmental scientist and designer with a tradie background says she wants Goulburn Mulwaree to become the best place it could be.
Ms Marsden-Ballard, a rural resident, co-founded the Bungonia Action for Clean Air group that opposed Jerrara Power's proposed waste to energy plant near the village.
She is a member of the council's sustainability working party, advocates a strong response to climate change and a balanced approach to growth.
4. Warren Murray
Mr Murray "fell in love" with Goulburn in 2007 and moved here with his wife and family.
The 70-year-old disability support worker also runs his own business, advising companies on ways to address their carbon footprint.
He wants to see more infrastructure to keep pace with growth in the council area, free tip access, a university campus and a greater focus on tourism.
5. Nathan Smith
Nathan Smith is married to Kristy and has four children.
He has been running his small business TECHMED - Your Medical IT Specialist since 2004, which he relocated to Goulburn when the couple moved here in 2004
Mr Smith has also served in various board, management and advisory positions with several sports organisations and associations, mainly in a voluntary capacity," he said.
"I have been involved with people with disabilities since I was 12 years old. I am passionate about ensuring community participation and access issues are identified and addressed.
"I am also passionate about low energy housing options and the council doing its bit for the environment and lowering its energy use. After all, if we can ensure that our houses use less energy, this will contribute to lower energy bills, which will mean more money free to spend in the community and positively impact the environment. It's a win-win."
The 40-year-old said it was time to give back to the community, an ethos his mother always taught him.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
