Candidates line up for Glenorchy

GLENORCHY r at epayers could have a bumper field of candidates to choose from when they go back to the polls early next year.

With nominations to open on Monday for the January 16 election, the Glenorchy Residents and Ratepayers Group committee chairman Phil Butler said there could be a long list of names on the ballot paper.

The election comes after the council’s suspended aldermen were finally sacked by Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein this week after he introduced special legislation to do so.

“It’s a sense of relief more than anything else that the council has been sacked and we can elect a new council,” Mr Butler said.

“We are getting questions from a lot of people who are wanting to run. We’ve had about 29 to 30 people who have indicated they would be interested in standing.

“How many of them do run I don’t know but it could well be a very big ticket.”

Former mayor Kristie Johnston said she would run a ticket of 10, including ex-aldermen Matt Stevenson and Jan Dunsby, and has held community information sessions for those interested.

The Local Government Association of Tasmania will run a free information session for potential candidates at the Tasmanian Electoral Commission offices on Wednesday.

LGAT chief executive Katrena Stephenson said the organisation would partner with the Local Government Integrity Commission to let those who wanted to run know what the job entailed.

“Councils have a significant impact on the lives of all Tasmanians as enablers for economic, social and cultural development as well as providing a wide range of services for the wellbeing of the community,” she said.

Of the remaining seven aldermen, former deputy mayor Harry Quick, Ms Johnston’s predecessor as mayor Stuart Slade and veteran alderman David Pearce have said they will not run in January.

Steven King has said he is considering his options, Jenny Branch-Allen has hinted on social media she will run again, while the intentions of Haydyn Nielsen and Christine Lucas are unknown.

It is understood Liberal and Labor members could also run as candidates.

Nominations for those wanting to stand close on December 11 at noon, with the ballot material delivered to electors by post from December 19 to 22.