Voters go to the polls on Saturday, July 29 to decide Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s next mayor.

There are five candidates to choose from.

They are, in ballot paper order, Sharon Griffiths, Lisa Intemann, Lauren Edwards, Peta Pinson and Rob Turner.

The mayoral hopefuls stated their positions during forums at Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton.

The community will have the ultimate say.

Some 30 polling places across the area are open from 8am to 6pm on July 29.

Thousands of people have lodged early votes at the pre-poll centres at Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton.

Figures to the end of July 26 showed more than 14,000 people had voted early at the three centres.

Almost 10,000 people had voted early at Port Macquarie’s pre-poll centre.

The pre-poll centres close at 6pm on July 28.

The shock resignation of then mayor Peter Besseling triggered the mayoral by-election.

The community elects the Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor.

The Office of Local Government Stand for your Community guide says the mayor is often considered the voice of the council and a leader of the community.

The mayor’s role, under the Act, is to be the leader of the council and a leader in the community.

The role includes advancing community cohesion and promoting civic awareness, and being the principal member and spokesperson of the governing body.

The mayor presides at council meetings, performs civic and ceremonial functions and promotes partnerships between the council and key stakeholders.

And the list goes on.

The vote count begins at the close of voting. The count will be posted progressively on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website.

Click here and follow the links.