There will be at least four new faces on Orange City Council, including a new mayor, after sitting councillors gave early indications of whether they will run again at the September 4 poll.
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The Central Western Daily has asked each councillor whether they intended to stand again.
Mayor Cr Reg Kidd, long-standing councillor Russell Turner and one-term Greens councillor Stephen Nugent said they did not plan to run again.
Three councillors, Jason Hamling, Scott Munro and Jeff Whitton said they planned to stand.
I'll be supporting [confirmed Greens candidate] Mel McDonell. I'm not standing
- Cr Stephen Nugent
However five councillors, Kevin Duffy, Joanne McRae, Tony Mileto, Sam Romano and deputy mayor Glenn Taylor said they were undecided just over five months before the poll. It is however likely some will stand.
The seat held by Cr Mario Previtera, who died mid-term, will also be available.
Cr Kidd said: "I'm not running."
However, he said he would reconsider if he was 'not happy about' other candidates, particularly former councillors.
"I'd re-think it if there were people who were coming back onto council, if they didn't genuinely have Orange's interests at heart," he said.
Cr Kidd said he was concerned about people standing on single issues.
"It [council] is multi-disciplinary."
He said September would mark 31 years on council.
Cr Kidd said he would continue to be involved in community groups and events including the Australian National Field Days at Borenore.
Cr Turner said it was 'unlikely' he would stand again, saying he was 98 per cent certain.
"I'm turning 80 in May," he said.
The former state member for Orange said it would be a major change to step out of public life.
"I will miss it," he said.
Cr Nugent announced last year he would not stand again and re-confirmed that decision last week.
"That's still the case at this point," he said.
"I'll be supporting [confirmed Greens candidate] Mel McDonell. I'm not standing."
However, Cr Hamling said he planned to run again.
"More than likely I will be. There are a couple of projects I would like to see through," he said.
Cr Munro said he enjoyed being on council.
"I suppose I'll stand. The reason I'll stand is I get a lot of enjoyment and fulfillment out of helping people."
Cr Whitton said he had been on council for 17 years.
"Yes, I am considering it again. I still enjoy it," he said.
Cr Kevin Duffy said he "hadn't made up my mind" about running again.
Cr McRae, the only female councillor, said she attended the Australian Local Government Women's Association information forum for prospective candidates in Orange this month.
"I'm still weighing up my options," she said.
Cr Mileto said he also had not made up his mind.
"My position is I'm undecided at this time," he said.
Cr Romano was elected onto council as the head of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party ticket in 2017.
"I am still considering it. This council has achieved a lot as far as roads, upgrades and lighting," he said.
He said the party had not yet determined its plans for the next poll.
"I think it's too early," he said.
Deputy mayor Cr Taylor said he also was undecided.
"I'm still considering. There are some things I would like to see through. It's a big decision," he said.
Cr Taylor said councillors had to assess their personal situation before committing to being a councillor.
So far Ms McDonell remains the only candidate to have registered to stand in the election.
However several candidates have told the Central Western Daily they will be standing and have begun to form tickets with five other people. They include Nic Drage and Sarah Blake on Mr Drage's ticket and Dr Steve Peterson with Theodore Crane.
Gerald Power, who came 12th in the race for 11 council seats in the 2017 poll, has also declared he will stand.
The 2017 field of 88 candidates, and 10 for the popularly-elected mayor, was one of the largest in the state.
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