A Country Labor team will contest the September MidCoast Council election and will be headed up by Taree practitioner and former Greater Taree City councillor Dr David Keegan.
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Dr Keegan will be joined by former Great Lakes councillor John Weate, Claire Pontin of Hallidays Point, Gaye Tindall of Green Point, Graham Robinson of Cape Hawke and Louise Collins of Nabiac.
This is the first time a political party has been associated with councils in the MidCoast region.
Former Greater Taree City mayor Paul Hogan attended the announcement to put his support behind Dr Keegan and the team.
“This area has been too long without local representation and this team is a very strong. I wish them the very best,” Mr Hogan said.
He has confirmed he will not stand for the new council.
Dr Keegan was confident with the party’s chances at the launch.
“While I was very disappointed with the forced amalgamation of the three original councils, I am confident that my team has the necessary governance skills and experience to ensure the best value for money for the residents of the MidCoast council area,” Dr Keegan said.
Shadow Local Government Minister Peter Primrose visited Taree for the announcement.
Former Greater Taree City deputy mayor David West said he respects the rights of the candidates to run for council under the Country Labor umbrella.
However, he insisted issues exist with being associated with a political party.
“I have a difficulty with political parties running campaigns in small, regional areas,” he said.
“Regional councils should be independent.’’
He noted the concept of running with a political party for a local government can act as a "stepping stone” to future opportunities at State and federal level.
Nominations for council close on July 31.
