Mayor Alison Davey, Deputy Mayor Cordelia Burcham, Labor’s Bob Pynsent, The Greens’ James Ryan and independents Rachel Main, Neil Gorman, Ian Olsen and Allan McCudden are all in the running for the city’s top job, along with Cessnock dentist and hotel owner John Harvey.

Seven of the nine addressed a crowd of about 60 at Kurri District Business Chamber’s Meet The Candidates Forum at Kurri Golf Club on Monday, July 9 (councillors Davey and Olsen were apologies).

Cr. Ryan was the first to speak. The second-term Greens councillor, who is running for Mayor for the third time, has been vocal in his opposition to the Hunter Economic Zone (HEZ) development as he considers the site unsuitable for development due to its environmental importance and location.

He thinks Cessnock’s future is as a lifestyle destination (rather than manufacturing) and wants to broaden the city’s tourist base to Kurri and particularly Wollombi. A cycleway from the Hunter Expressway to Millfield is also on his wish list.

First-term independent councillor Allan McCudden is the latest to enter the Mayoral race, deciding the Friday prior to the meeting that he would run as Mayor. He said the council’s current structure is a mess and has made it difficult to function, and that he would work to unite and bond the council.

He has a positive attitude towards development and supports the fruits of the Hunter Expressway, Huntlee and HEZ. He would also focus on fixing roads, footpaths, cycleways and guttering.

Cr. Main, a second-term councillor, considers herself a true independent and has never been a member of a political party. Her main motivations are “people, respect and future”.

She believes a mayor should have a moderate personality and good communication skills, and be able to work with everyone no matter what their alignment.

Cr. Main says she offers a combination of youth and experience (including a year as Deputy Mayor), and is well-versed in the way council is run.

First-term independent councillor Neil Gorman said he is pro-development and pro-tourism, supporting projects including HEZ, Huntlee, the Golden Bear golf resort, Vintage Balanced Land and the airport hotel.

He believes a mayor needs intelligence, imagination, education and dedication to the welfare of the entire LGA.

In his third term, Cr. Pynsent is running for Mayor for a second time. He said he is disappointed with the current term, particularly with issues such as roadworks delays and spiralling legal costs.

He said council needs to be proactive in economic development and believes the Cessnock LGA should be eligible for mining royalties.

He also stressed the importance of flood study completion and proposed a flying squad for gutter and drainage maintenance.

Dr. Harvey said he has watched with interest the development of the council in his 13 years in town.

He would like to bring a team of individuals with the expertise to bring council to the next level, and make it a sustainable town that creates jobs for the people that live in this area.

He has experience in Federal Government working with former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock and State Government as chief-of-staff to former NSW premier Nick Greiner.

The current Deputy Mayor, Cr. Burcham said she can bring a broad knowledge of what goes on in council. Pro-development, Cr. Burcham said she can see the potential in the area and is determined to be productive for the community. She will take and seek advice from business leaders to help facilitate development within the LGA.

She said she will chair meetings to a standard the community expects – firm but fair – and will try to correct council’s poor media profile.