Orange’s long-serving mayor, Cr John Davis, is leaving council after deciding not to stand for the September 9 elections.
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His departure comes as massive fields, including many new faces, have nominated to be mayor and fill the 12 councillor roles.
Several current councillors, including former mayor Reg Kidd, have nominated to take Cr Davis’ position.
Cr Davis has been mayor since 2004, apart from one term [2008-2009] when Cr Kidd held the role.
About 10 people, including seven current councillors, have nominated to be mayor and 70 people have nominated to be a councillor.
While most candidates are independents, both the Greens party and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party have nominated a ticket of six candidates.
Stephen Nugent, who is also standing for mayor heads the Greens ticket while Sam Romano heads the Shooters party ticket.
Pay it Forward founder Karlie Irwin, Two Fat Ladies cafe owner Alyson Yager and Glenroi Community Action Group president Melissa Hatton have also nominated.
A flood of last-minute nominees went to the NSW Electoral Commission returning office in Moulder Street on Wednesday.
The size of last-minute nominations across NSW led the electoral commission to delay the draw for ballot positions by more than four hours.
With Cabonne Shire Council mayor Cr Ian Gosper also leaving the council Cabonne will join Orange in having a new leader after the election.
Voters in Cabonne will also be asked a referendum question at the polls.
They will be asked to decide whether the number of councillors should be reduced from 12 to nine at the 2020 elections.