Claire Pontin to head Labor ticket in MidCoast Council elections

Cr Pontin was first elected to MidCoast Council in 2017 and has been deputy mayor since 2019.

Cr Pontin and Labor believe that council needs to become even more innovative in delivering lower-cost services and seeking new opportunities for local businesses to create new jobs, a Labor spokesperson said.

"A growing economy is the only thing that will fuel increased services and infrastructure. Finding sustainable ways to make this happen is essential," Cr Pontin said.

Labor's other candidates on the ticket include Gaye Tindall, a passionate local community advocate and deputy chair of Community Resources Ltd from Green Point; Phillip Costa, former NSW Minister for Water, Regional Development and Rural Affairs and former mayor and councillor of Wollondilly Shire from Minimbah; David Glenn-Hume of Diamond Beach; Heather McLaughlin of Taree, and Dianne Foster of Bungwahl.

Related: Greens launch MidCoast Council election campaign at Wingham

"It is vitally important that we always seek to do things better," Cr Pontin said.

"Council is accountable to the community, and it must be more transparent and responsive.

"Local jobs, business growth, the environment, improved budget outcomes and transparency, better roads, and improved customer service have been the mainstays of Labor's efforts on council since the last elections. These will continue to be our focus in the future."

Gaye Tindall highlighted the need for the council to continue improving in these critical areas and be more socially inclusive.

"Council needs to get better at communicating with and engaging all sectors of the community - including youth, Aboriginal groups, and the elderly," Gaye said.

"We need to get things right, and while MidCoast Council has done a lot since amalgamation, there is still much work to do."

Labor will continue to lobby state and federal governments for more income to improve our roads and bridges.

"Increased road funding is necessary because of the poor state of the region's roads before amalgamation. Road maintenance and improvement needs to remain a high priority for Council, particularly after the recent flood damage, and additional grant funding is urgently needed", Cr Pontin said.

"As well as reducing carbon emissions, using more solar renewable energy has already started to save the Council money. I will be pushing for continued investment in this area because it makes sense for the environment and to lower costs."

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