Singleton Council is poised for a shake-up at the September 14 local government elections as almost half the incumbent councillors are not seeking another term.
Four sitting councillors, long-term members Val Scott and Tony McNamara, deputy mayor Tony Jarrett and first-time representative Sarah Johnstone, will not seek re-election.
Mayor Sue Moore, Godfrey Adamthwaite, Mel McLachlan, Sue George, Hollee Jenkins and Danny Thompson all running again as independents.
Twelve candidates, including the Greens' Louise Stokes, independent Anne McGowan and the Libertarian Party's Scott Yeomans, are vying for 10 positions on the council.
Labor has nominated 2023 Upper Hunter state election candidate Peree Watson, Patrick Thompson and Timothy McGeachie.
Ms Watson and Cr Thompson will also take on Cr Moore in the popular vote for mayor.
Ms Watson said she and Cr Thompson would direct preferences to each other in the contest against Cr Moore, who won 55.7 per cent of the vote after preferences in 2021.
Cr Thompson will compete against his son, Patrick, for a spot on the council.
The Singleton council area is facing a host of challenges, including handling the consequences of the looming town bypass and massive projected housing growth.
Developers have lodged a state significant development application for the 5000-lot second stage of the Huntlee estate, which is partly in Singleton local government area.
The elected council will wrestle with how to manage urban sprawl in the district, especially given the centre of Singleton lies on a flood plain.
The state government is also assessing three solar farm proposals in Singleton, the Hunter Transmission Project and multiple mine continuation applications.
Rehabilitating former mine sites around Singleton and Muswellbrook will be one of the nation's largest environmental projects as the coal industry winds down.
Singleton Council is in a far healthier financial position than many of its neighbours and has relatively good roads and community infrastructure, but Cr Moore has been advocating for the state government to reinstate funding streams for council areas affected by the projected decline in coal mining.
Sue Moore, independent
My name is Sue Moore and I am currently Singleton Mayor.
I have been on Council for 25 years, including mayor for 12. My background is primary production, and my family has been on our property since 1850's.
In the past term, I achieved changes to the bypass design that will allow better access to the main street, helped towards our Arts and Culture Centre, several new bridges and causeways were built or planned.
Most importantly, our Community Economic Development fund which has supported many projects and programs in our local area.
We need action on the Singleton police station. The state government has committed some funds to the refurbishment of the existing station. This is not ideal as a purpose-built modern station is what Singleton needs and deserves for 24-hour operation.
Housing; there are several thousand housing blocks rezoned however are restricted by lack of infrastructure-currently we are not eligible for grant funds.
Growth for Singleton is at our doorstep with the completion of the bypass, we must be ready by planning for traffic flow around town when we no longer have a national highway through our town.
Local jobs and planning for mine land re-use when the mines close are matters that need addressing for the prosperity of Singleton LGA.
I have formed many connections with state and federal government representatives. I understand Singleton communities and my heart is in the right place which is why I am best placed to be mayor for the next four years.
Daniel Thompson, independent
I am a born and bred Singletonian.
I love the area and want to make sure it prospers and we pass it on to our children in a better condition than we received it.
If I was lucky enough to become mayor, my first priority would be to increase our advocacy efforts, to ensure this local government area that contributes so much to the state and federal budgets gets its fair share in return.
In recent times we have lost access to the Resources for Regions and Resources for Recovery programs, yet the government(s) still rake in billions of dollars from the mining industry in our region.
All the while our residents have to put up with the noise, the dust, traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure while the economic benefits are realised by other areas of the nation.
At the last state election we were promised a new police station.
There is no sign of said station and little sign of police.
Residents are getting more and more upset with what appears to be a surge in break-and-enters, car theft and antisocial behaviour.
The council is not a law enforcement agency, but this is a priority we should be advocating on behalf of our community.
Whilst on council I have been chair of the sports council, the arts and culture committee and the Australia Day committee and a representative on the Upper Hunter Air Quality committee, now Hunter Environmental Advisory.
These represent my interest in the things that bring our community together and the health of our people.
They will always be my priority.
Peree Watson, Labor
It's time for something new in Singleton, and that is why I am standing for mayor and council, to give the voters of Singleton the choice of a fresh strong new voice for our community.
In the coming years our town will undergo changes: a bypass, the arrival of new emerging industries, the evolution of mining and its support for our community and the need for additional housing and vital infrastructure.
Singleton will decide on September 14 on the team of 10 councillors who will be tasked with looking forward, so that we continue to thrive and sustainably grow.
We need a strong, dynamic, collaborative leader for this team, one who will fight for and represent Singleton to state and federal government.
To fight for a fair economic share for Singleton, public education, housing, public health services, public transport and support of the most vulnerable in our community.
My name is Peree Watson, I live in Branxton with my family and have spent most of my working life in roles that serve my community: raising funds for cancer, medical research, and supporting women and children escaping domestic violence.
My parents, Mick and Melita Watson, taught me to fight for what's important to your community.
My children Elodie, Chiara and Hari focus me on delivering for the future and my husband Ian, a stroke survivor, teaches me every day to keep going until you achieve.
I ask for your support on September 14.
