Maitland council election costing half a million dollars

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Maitland residents go to the polls on September 9th, with the election set to cost nearly half a million dollars.

Councillors were left gobsmacked after a quote from the Australia Election Company estimated the election would cost $497,633.

"It's very very expensive to run an election but its a cost that must be met, and I know that I'm possibly not alone when I say that computerised voting maybe bring it down a bit. Things have got to change," said Mayor Peter Blackmore.

The election in September will elect 12 councillors and one mayor by popular vote.

The high cost could be justified, Mayor Peter Blackmore says there is a lot involved with election preparations and manning polling stations on election day, and the money has to come from somewhere to pay for it.

Mayor Peter Blackmore believes another problem is that there are only two companies to choose from to run an election, which means competition, and therefore the costs are passed down to councils.

"We chose to go through the Australia Election Company instead of the normal process but its a case of if there's only two agencies that are competing, I think that indicates to you as to how much theses coast can be," he said.

Calls to reinstate Scot MacDonald as Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A common sense approach is being urged to be used when the NSW government appoints the Hunter's next Parliamentary Secretary for the region.

Catherine Cusak resigned from the role yesterday, after sending a scathing nine page email to Premier Gladys Berejinklian which was leaked to the media.

Chair of the Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent, is calling for Scot MacDonald to be reinstated to the role.

Cr Pynsent believes Scot MacDonald is the obvious choice, and he isn't the only one calling for the former secretary to be reinstated.

"I've spoken to a number of mayors this morning and the consensus is this would be the best option for the wider Hunter," he said.

Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore also supports Scot MacDonald returning to his position as he had 'supported us [the Hunter Joint Organisation] magnificently'.

There are concerns a representative with limited local knowledge could take on the role, which many agree wouldn't be good for the region.

Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Martin Rush is of the same opinion, sharing concerns around appointing a representative with limited local knowledge; especially when appointing Scot MacDonald would mean there is someone in the role who "already has a strong understanding of the challenges unique to our area".

At a media conference with Shadow Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe this morning, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp expressed the same views.

He said, "this government is divided and dysfunctional. Now, we need a minister for the Hunter at the cabinet table, to put a strong voice for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter".

Maitland still waiting on ALDI

BY TYLER FARDELL

Maitland residents are still left in the dark over whether or not the planned development of an ALDI supermarket will go ahead, 3 years after the plans were drawn up.

The plans to build an ALDI store in the Maitland city centre were confirmed three years ago and was aimed to be open 18 months later.

ALDI remains tight-lipped about the project, with rumours circulating about the store's possible location and whether it will ever be built.

Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore says he is waiting anxiously to hear from the supermarket giant.

"I don't understand why it's taking so long to make an announcement".

"The time is right to develop it now as Stockland Greenhills is under construction".