Saturday, September 14, 2024, is when Lismore heads to the polls again to choose a new Mayor and ten new Lismore City Councillors. We have just over four months before voting day.

It can be argued that this is the most important local council election in Lismore's history. Following the delayed December 2021 election, the newly elected councillors were thrown a curve ball when the February 28, 2022, flood tore our community apart.

The focus for councillors was to help with the rescue and shelter of thousands of residents before shifting to the recovery and rebuilding of our beloved city. Not a typical term in council.

Also, not typical was the short three-year term; usually, this is four years. However, thanks to COVID-19, one term was extended while this term was shortened.

The Lismore App felt four months out from an important election is the right time to contact each candidate and ask if they will be running in September. Of course, many are part of tickets, such as Steve Krieg, the Labor Party, The Greens and Sustainable Future, so they are linked.

Below are the responses:

MAYOR STEVE KRIEG

He didn't 100% confirm he was running, but he strongly indicated he would put his hand up for a second term as the Mayor of Lismore.

Myself and my colleagues on the ticket are committed to the growth and prosperity of the city of Lismore and its villages. I feel we are only at the beginning of what is going to be a lengthy recovery and rebuilding process and we all want to be part of that journey with the people of Lismore.

A formal announcement will be made when the time is right, as 5 months is a long time in the local political landscape of Lismore.

JERI HALL

Yes, I am running for councillor.

ANDREW GORDON

Yes, I am. We have a plan that is yet to be finalised.

ANDREW BING

Yes, I am. I can't leave something that we desperately need to see through.

ELECTRA JENSEN

Yes, I am running.

I want to see through what we intended to do at the beginning of last term and get Lismore back up and running and attract people to the area.

Unlike some of the councillors in the previous term and now this one who 'don't want Lismore to grow', I would like to see Lismore shine in our region and again become a vibrant hub. We need to manage the vast amounts of water that flow through our beautiful river systems to provide confidence and safety to our wonderful community and secure our future. 

We receive such a large amount of rain, but our water security and storage is poor with only 8 months water supply in drought conditions, supporting 4 LGAs. We have to do better than that and I would like to be in the role when CSIRO releases its report on how we can better manage water flows, and water security for the region.

PETER COLBY

No, I will not be running.

When I was asked to run last term, I made it clear that I would only do one term.

I came from the corporate world, so I could offer something different to council. I don't see that I could contribute that much more to it but I feel I can contribute outside of it.

It has been a very interesting experience in a totally different world, which has carried a level of frustration. Council is designed to manage and look at the long term vision of Lismore. However, our 10-year plan changes regularly as you get 2-3 new council governing bodies during that term.

I intend to do a little bit of Travel and still have a couple of small businesses in Sydney. I will also look to get involved in community boards. I still have an interest in helping Lismore. I want to contribute back to the city, but council isn't the way to do that for me.

BIG ROB

Yes, I am running.....for Mayor and a Councillor.

"I may not look right, act right or speak right, but if the people want me there to fight for them, I'll be there! "

Big Rob said he is not taking any donations or spending any money on his campaign, as was the case in 2021. He is the only candidate registered at this stage.

DARLENE COOK - LABOR

I am not running in 2024.

"I've completed two terms, and my partner and I intend to do more travelling. It is time to do things on my bucket list."

ELLY BIRD - OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE PARTY

Non-commital.

"I will be updating the community soon"

VANESSA EKINS

Non-commital.

"All I will say, at this stage, is we are finalising our ticket and will launch on May 17".

ADAM GUISE

Did not return our calls or messages.

As Adam Guise and Vanessa Ekins belong to The Greens, we can assume a similar response from Adam Guise.

SUMMARY

Councillors Peter Colby and Darlene Cook will definitely not run in September, leaving two new councillors to be part of the eleven, at least.

Councillors Elly Bird and Vanessa Ekins are non-committal. It would not be surprising if both did not run again.

QUESTIONS & RUMOURS

With Darlene Cook not running as number 1 on the Labor ticket, the rumour mill has Harper Dalton to lead Labor's charge.

If Elly Bird does not run again, what will happen to the Our Sustainable Future Party? Or, who will be leading the ticket?

If Vanessa Ekins does not run again, will The Greens make Adam Guise their number 1 on the ticket and who will be number 2?

While it does feel that September 14 is some way off, the Lismore Local Council Election party/ticket launches will start in May and roll on from there as campaigning ramps up.