JAMIE Chaffey will face a challenge for his role as Gunnedah mayor as fellow councillor Colleen Fuller confirms she will be throwing her hat in the ring.
Councillors will decide at next week’s council meeting who will lead the shire.
The position of deputy mayor will also be decided after councillor Gae Swain confirmed she would step down from the position.
Cr Chaffey said he was “definitely putting his hand up” to continue in the role as mayor.
“I hope to carry on the good work accomplished by this council in its first two years,” Cr Chaffey said.
“There’s still a lot to do.
“Hopefully I will have the support of my fellow councillors and we can continue the good work into the second half of this council’s term between 2018 and 2020.”
Cr Fuller said if elected, she would bring “fresh ideas” to the role.
“I am putting my hand up because I have several ideas and want to do my best for the shire,” Cr Fuller said.
“I hope to see change but I don’t want to take anything away from the hard work done by our council over the last two years.
“Our council has achieved a lot in its first term, and if elected I will work very hard to ensure that good work continues.”
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Cr Swain said: “I can confirm I will not be running for deputy mayor this time around.
“It was a personal decision and given that I have served the Gunnedah shire since 1991 I think the time is right to take a step back.”
The former mayor highlighted more time with family as a key motivator behind the decision.
“I think it’s good to give others a go,” she said.
“Stepping back will also hopefully give me a bit more time with my family who have been very supportive of me throughout my tenure with the council and I think its time to let someone else have a go.”
Cr Fuller said if her bid for mayor proved unsuccessful she would contest the position of deputy mayor.
“I will be putting my hand up for both positions,” she said.
“We will just have to wait and see what happens at the council meeting.”
The mayoral elections will be held during Gunnedah Shire Council’s next meeting on Wednesday, September 19 from 4.30pm.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
