THE Macquarie River pipeline and amalgamation are the two key issues facing Cabonne residents in the future says Janelle Culverson, a Cabonne councillor who is running as an independent in this week’s election.
Mrs Culverson told the Central Western Daily she was against amalgamation and couldn’t see how Cabonne residents would benefit.
When it comes to the pipeline she would like to see a regional approach to water security, with water taken from a dam, rather than a river.
“I really think the pipeline should benefit more than one community, “ she said.
“It should be a shared project so the costs could also be shared.”
Mrs Culverson is one of three independents running in this year’s Cabonne election. She said in the future she’d like to see all candidates forced to run “one their own merit” on individual tickets.
“I don’t think people should be taken over the line by someone else’s vote,” she said.
After spending the past six years as proprietor of the Molong Express newspaper independent candidate Paul Mullins said he’d had a bird’s-eye view of how Cabonne Council had operated.
“I think I’ve got a good knowledge of what goes on and how it operates,” Mr Mullins said.
“[If elected] I think the citizens will soon let me know what their priorities are, and they’ll become my priorities.”
Despite being open to feedback from his constituents, Mr Mullins lists upgrading roads, maintaining health facilities and providing expanded services for youths as among his priorities.
While he still oversees publication of the paper in a “backroom role”, Mr Mullins considers himself retired.
“I’d like to see people vote below the line for people they know and trust,” he said.
Independent candidate Derek Johnson considers the current Cabonne Council “the best managed council in NSW”.
If elected Mr Johnson said he planned to maintain the council’s focus on financial stability and independence.
“Town facilities must be maintained and enhanced,” he said.
“Council must foster and attract business which will help deliver prosperity for this area.”
Mr Johnson also lists roads and development as priorities.
“More government grants are essential for future development of our roads network,” he said.