Over the next 21 days, the residents of Wollongong and Shellharbour will be asked to consider the views and qualifications of 98 people who are seeking their votes at the September 9 council election.
The Mercury has asked each team the same questions. It's your choice -- see what they say.
Read Kate McIlwain's article in The Illawarra Mercury, 19 August 2017.
Over the next 21 days, the residents of Wollongong and Shellharbour will be asked to consider the views and qualifications of 98 people who are seeking their votes at the September 9 council election.
Across the two councils, there’s 56 men and 42 women, and there’s a sixty year age gap between the oldest and youngest.
Most of the council hopefuls who listed their age are Baby Boomers, with nearly 40 candidates aged in their 50s, 60s and early 70s.
There are just over 20 Gen Xers, six Gen Ys and one Gen Z, and three candidates born before the end of World War II.
The youngest is Greens candidate and professional sports coach, Joshua Bell – who is 20 – closely followed by two Young Liberals, Cameron Walters and Ranjith Raj, who are both 25.
The oldest candidate is 80-year-old retired lawyer and former Sydney councillor John Mant, who is listed last on independent councillor Vicki Curran’s ticket.
Unusually, four Shellharbour candidates – Liberal Nathan Cattell, and independents Brian Pember, Jason Smith and Jeremy Hood have listed their birth date as being in 2017 – although given babies aren’t eligible to run for election, we suspect these details are incorrect.
On the NSW Electoral Commission website information submitted with their nominations, some candidates have listed their qualifications and professions.
These include at least two chemists, several public servants, a firefighter, a number of board members, artists, business owners, students, academics and retirees.
Nine of the Wollongong councillor candidates – including incumbent Gordon Bradbery – are also vying to be the city’s Lord Mayor.
We’ve asked each group of candidates they would like you to know about why they’re standing for election.
Feel free to let us know what issues you would like to hear about from council candidates.
- Wollongong Ward 1 (Fairy Meadow to Helensburgh)
- Wollongong Ward 2 (Central suburbs)
- Wollongong Ward 3
- Shellharbour Groups A to J
Postal voting
People can apply for a postal vote online at www.votensw.info or by calling 1300 135 736.
Applications must be received by 5.00pm on Monday, 4 September.
Pre-poll voting
Pre-poll voting opens 8am Monday, 28 August and closes 6pm Friday, 8 September. For locations and opening times, visit the website or call us.
The Mercury has asked the lead candidate of each group to tell us why they’ve decided to run for election, and outline two core issues for their group.