The shockwaves from Peter Besseling’s bombshell decision to resign as mayor of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council continue.
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Mr Besseling’s decision to take up the general manager’s role at Birdon Marine, saw Councillor Rob Turner nominate for the mayor’s role.
Cr Turner indicated that he would be resigning as a councillor following Wednesday night’s council meeting in order to contest the top job.
He said his decision to resign as a councillor to contest the mayor’s job was, in part, driven by a desire to not have ratepayers forced to vote at a second by-election for his vacated councillor position.
But that seems to be to no avail.
Council general manager Craig Swift-McNair on Friday said the office of local government had advised him of Section 276 (2) (a) of the NSW local government act 1993.
“I have been informed by the office of local government that as per section 276 (2) (a) of the NSW local government act 1993, a person who vacates the office of Councillor by resignation or disqualification may not be elected to a civic office in the same area (and may not hold, or act in, a civic office in the same area) until the first anniversary of the vacation of office, or the next ordinary election for the area, whichever occurs first,” Mr Swift-McNair said.
This effectively means that any sitting councillor who wishes to run for the office of mayor in the upcoming by-election will not be able to do so if they resign as a councillor.
- Council general manager Craig Swift-McNair
“This effectively means that any sitting councillor who wishes to run for the office of mayor in the upcoming by-election will not be able to do so if they resign as a councillor.”
Cr Turner said he had been caught up in bureaucracy.
“It’s a clause in the local government act. It is disappointing that the local government act prevents a common sense solution to the problem.
“But it is the law and we just need to comply to it.”
Cr Turner said he was still enthusiastic about running for mayor and he had just wanted to save the ratepayers from the expense of a second by-election.
“Who would have thought this clause would be placed in the act,” he added.
Cr Turner said he will not proceed with his resignation from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Ratepayers are expected to find out within a matter of days when they will go to the polls to elect a new mayor.