Following Orange’s decision to vote for a popularly elected mayor, a councillor in Bathurst wants to ask ratepayers the same question.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Orange voted to change how its mayor was elected in 2012 and ratepayers will decide for the first time in September.
Bathurst Councillor Bobby Bourke will use next month’s policy committee meeting to ask for a report to come back to Bathurst Regional Council on the question of a popularly-elected mayor.
Currently, Bathurst residents elect nine councillors and the councillors elect the mayor, with mayoral elections held every year.
“This is not about Bobby Bourke wanting to be mayor – I don’t want to be – but I think it’s time we asked the people what they want,” Cr Bourke said.
“We live in a democracy – people should get the chance to have their say.”
Cr Bourke’s previous attempts to call a referendum have been stymied.
If he didn’t gain the support of existing councillors, he promised to campaign on the issue.