A SHOCK face-off is looming for Junee’s mayor and deputy mayor, with both vowing to run for the top job after the September election.
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In a move that could create tensions in the new council group, mayor Neil Smith and deputy mayor Pam Halliburton this week admitted they would both have a tilt at the mayoral chains if re-elected at the September 10 poll.
Councillors will vote on the new mayor at the first meeting after the election.
Cr Smith, a second term councillor, and Cr Halliburton, who is in her first term, have formed the leadership team since 2014.
Cr Halliburton denied her decision to challenge Cr Smith was a repudiation of his leadership style.
“It’s not about him at all … I just feel I could do a very good job,” Cr Haliburton said.
Cr Smith said his quest for re-election was being spurred by “unfinished business”.
“There are still a few things I’d like to do,” Cr Smith said.
“I want to help Junee become a lot more ‘green’.
“I’d like to see more solar panels on public buildings and really promote the idea of community energy sharing.
“I’d also like to see council investigate the idea of having a few solar-powered vehicles.
“We have a role to play in leading the community on issues like this.”
He said he would also like to engender a stronger sense of racial tolerance in Junee.
Helping bring the Junee Lifestyle Village to life and bringing council’s budget into the black were also key issues in the next term, he said.
Cr Halliburton, a retired English and history teacher, said she would provide leadership for the “whole shire”.
“I have the whole community at heart and I have a forward vision for the whole shire,” she said.
“I want to look to the future with things like the Very Fast Train and focusing on road traffic management in conjunction with that.
“I want to encourage more industry in the shire and provide more jobs, especially for our younger people.
“Waste management is also an important one for me.”
Nine council positions are up for grabs next month and most current councillors are expected to re-contest.
At the 2012 poll, only one candidate, former champion lawn bowler Phil Kierens, missed out on being elected to council.
