The results are in and Peta Pinson, who ran a commendable race for a first-timer to place second at the September 2016 election, wins the robes.

It was an election fought on a platform of ‘change’ and improving communication between council and the community.

Mrs Pinson is open about how she believes our council should be better run.

She is open about the fact that the time has come for change and that our community deserves a better spend of precious ratepayer dollars.

And she is under no illusion that she has plenty of work to do coming into the top job with no local government experience under her belt.

All nine of our councillors will need to show us they are willing to work together. That does not mean they will necessarily agree on all things, however what we do need is a contingent of community representatives who respect their role and understand the space in which they work.

We need lively and mature debate at the monthly meetings and open and honest representation for Port Macquarie-Hastings residents that is community focused and not agenda driven.

Listen to the community and do not promise what you cannot deliver.

If a big project is unrealistic and unaffordable, then say so. 

Our council is an easy target for keyboard criticism and much of it is ill-informed opinion based on very little fact.

As councillors, encourage residents to play an active role in civic decision-making. Council offers forums for this exchange of ideas and feedback to occur.

That involvement in democracy from our residents must not stop at the end of your campaign trail. 

If the campaign for change means transparency, honest governance, improved communication, listening to our community, developing positive relationships with all levels of government and prioritising the real needs for our region based on sensible financial management – then lead the way.

The politics and promises are over.

It’s time to get down to business.