FORMER councillors on the Local Representation Advisory Committee have been dismissed after some announced intentions to stand in the September election.
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Armidale Regional Council administrator Dr Ian Tiley terminated the committee on Tuesday in the interest of a fair election.
“It is in my view inappropriate that committee members should have access to Council information which other candidates would not have,” Dr Tiley said.
“Given that the status of members of the committee are as citizens and not councillors, this I believe reinforces this view.”
There has been no indication from Council as to whether the committee members will continue to be paid the $1570 a month, increased from $712 in October, until contracts end.
Only two of the seven committee members, Herman Beyersdorf and Andrew Murat, told the Express they would stand. Another two were undecided, one won’t stand, and the remaining three had not returned our calls at the time of going to press.
Dr Beyersdorf, the previous mayor of Armidale Dumaresq Council, said calls for new blood have not deterred him.
“I definitely am the longest-serving member of Council with nearly 25 years behind me,” he said.
“In most elections I’ve found there has been a turnover of about 50 per cent, there’s always been a mixture between the steady hand and new blood.
“I can call on a heck of a lot of experience and expertise. While there will be new faces, there should be a mix with the initial transition from one man under the administrator to a new, democratically elected Council.”
Dr Beyersdorf credited the former Armidale Dumaresq Council for the success of the Waste Management and Recycling Centre and Armidale Regional Airport.
Ex-councillor Andrew Murat will also compete for a seat at the table.
“There is a lot of stuff we started that I would like to finish. It’s a slow process,” Mr Murat said.
“Council doesn’t work as people assume – change takes time. I have a number of years’ experience in business and still work in that area in Armidale, I want to see the airport pushed through, Council is going through a huge period of change and I have the experience to bring to that role.”
Fence-sitters include Colin Gadd and Jenny Bailey and Guyra Shire ex-councillors Dot Vickery and Audrey McArdle.
Former New England Greens councillor Peter O’Donohue said the Greens would put forward a ticket, but the contender remains faceless.
Ex-councillor Laurie Bishop has confirmed he will not stand, but plans to campaign for new faces to join the election.
“It’s a critical time for Armidale,” Mr Bishop said.
“For too long now Armidale hasn’t achieved anywhere near the prosperity it should. Anyone who has had one or two terms should step out.
For too long now Armidale hasn’t achieved anywhere near the prosperity it should. Anyone who has had one or two terms should step out.
- Laurie Bishop
“It’s time for the Armidale population to look forward for new and competent people to make this city as good as it should be.”
Rob Richardson has also said he will not run, with family events taking priority this year.
“The thing I feel happiest about is the achievement we made, identifying a lack of industrial land and doing something about it, with the land near the airport,” he said.
The Express has attempted to contact all ex-councillors for comment on their election intentions.