Mayor: People’s Choice or Councillors?

THERE will be a referendum held at the Local Government Elections on Saturday 10 to put to the residents of the Upper Hunter Shire if they would like a popularly elected Mayor.

The question on the referendum will be:

The Mayor of the Upper Hunter Shire is currently elected annually by the nine (9) Councillors.  Do you want to change to the direct election of the Mayor by the voters of the Upper Hunter Shire Council, for a four (4) year term, with the number of Councillors (including the Mayor) remaining at nine (9)?

If the majority of voters support a popularly elected Mayor the changes will come into place at the following Council election in 2020.

The decision to hold the referendum was made by Council on March 29, 2016, following a community petition for the referendum and also a phone survey conducted by Council.

The Council have developed a Mayor referendum flyer and Mayor Wayne Bedggood is keen to emphasise the Council do not hold a position on the referendum: Mayoral Referendum Flyer.

Related stories:

• Phone Survey Results In – March 29, 2016.
• Experts Slam Council Survey –  March 17, 2016.
• Wasting Money or Avoiding a Decision? – January 18, 2016.
• Phone Survey to Happen – January 18, 2016.