Newcastle News

10 QUESTIONS WITH ROBERT PYNSENT – Cessnock Mayoral Candidate

1. What led you to run for mayor?

I am running for Mayor because this town needs change, and I feel I am the best person to bring it about. As a Councillor and as a regular member of the community I have been angered by how the Mayor and her Council allies have let the people of Cessnock down. I have served as a Councillor for 13 years, and 4 years as Deputy Mayor in the previous Labor Council where I saw what a difference a well run Council can make to the lives of the people of Cessnock. This is why I believe I have the experience needed to get us through this chaos and back to sensible management.

2. How would you change what has been a dysfunctional council?

The current mayor is inefficient running meetings over the past 4 years and the first thing I would change as leader of Cessnock Council would be streamlined, more productive meetings, so we can get things done. Once the Mayor used to be the driver of progress in Cessnock; keeping the management accountable to the community and focused on delivery of major projects. I also have the desire to increase communication and engagement between the Council and the community, which is something that the current system is lacking.

3. Given the turmoil that has surrounded council, why are you the best person to lead Cessnock?

I have a plan for Cessnock, based on conversations with voters over the last four years, both as a Councillor and in my membership of community groups such as Kurri Rotary, Northnet and Cessnock Community Shed & Garden. My team and I have put the work in to listen to the community’s issues and concerns, and our plan for Cessnock is completely based on what they told us. Through this turmoil we need experience, strong leadership and forward thinking. I believe I can bring all of those things to this job.

4. There are 10 mayoral candidates, is this the worst outcome given that the election is now likely to be decided on preferences?

The worst outcome being that with so many candidates, some may try and sneak in without facing any questions. Every candidate needs to have a clear plan and be able to explain it. We can’t have people making wild promises or not announcing their plans at all. The community needs to know what we all stand for.

5.Who will you be preferencing?

Country Labor will not be giving preferences in this election. We believe that a Mayor should be elected on a Vote 1 basis, giving the people the leader they truly desire.
We made the decision not to preference because the community are sick and tired of backroom deals and gentleman’s agreement. A vote for Country Labor is a vote only for Country Labor.

6.What would be your main priority if elected?

Every time we go out talking to the community, they want to talk about roads. We have got that message loud and clear, and that needs to be our priority. We have a fully costed $70 million plan for roads in the next four years, and our maintenance work crews need to be restaffed. The first step we can take towards that is to stop this ridiculous waste of ratepayer’s money on legal fees.

7. What is your biggest challenge in winning this election?

Convincing the community to disregard preferences and adopt a Vote 1 approach. Country Labor will not be involved in the preference system, which is made up of back-door deals and unethical bargaining. It will be a challenge to overcome the other candidates who are participating in such deals with each other. We need to convince voters that the preference system does not indicate true political partnerships, and that their primary vote may not be counted in the end. A vote for Country Labor is a vote only for Country Labor.

8. Why should rate payers have faith in you?

During my time as Deputy Mayor under the last Labor led council we brought infrastructure and jobs to the Cessnock LGA. Ongoing responsiveness to community needs led the council to developments such as The Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock Sports Ground, Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre, and the Greta Community Centre upgrade. If elected as mayor, I will reignite development in infrastructure in the Cessnock LGA: This means Roads, The Nulkaba Footpath & Cycleway, Civic Park and Cessnock Pool. By responding and engaging with the community, I will develop the Cessnock Strategic plan, to ensure that infrastructure and job creation occurs in the area, rather than our surrounding councils.

How would you rate the performance in the current council and what would you change?

9. The performance of the current Council has been extremely poor. This is a result of ineffective leadership from the Mayor, coupled with certain Councillors wanting to play political games rather than represent the community, a disengaged management and bad public perception, leading to a Council that isn’t working for the community. If elected Mayor I would reassert community control over management and create the Cessnock Strategic plan to ensure that jobs and development does not go to other LGA’s, and contain legal fees which have been nearly $2 million over the last year.


10. How do you rate your chances in winning the election?

I believe I have a strong chance in becoming Mayor. I have been campaigning for the last six months, and I’ve had the chance to speak to so many people. I feel that my plan for Cessnock will appeal to them, because it is based on the community’s comments and concerns on what has to be done to correct the ineffective actions of the current Council over the last 4 years.

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