Staff reporters
Byron Shire Council’s deputy mayor Basil Cameron has been nominated as mayoral candidate for the upcoming local government elections by Our Sustainable Future (OSF).
Like Ballina and Lismore, Byron council has a popularly elected mayor.
Mr Cameron is the second councillor to put up his hand for the role. The Greens’ Simon Richardson announced his candidacy a month ago and was anointed official successor of outgoing Byron mayor Jan Barham.
OSF was founded by former Byron Shire councillor Hugh Ermacora and friends in 2000, and the party says its objective is delivering ‘functional, cohesive and productive government to local residents.’
Current president and Lismore City councillor Simon Clough says, ‘OSF is an independent community network. We are not beholden to anyone outside this region.’
Mr Ermacora sung Cr Cameron’s praises: ‘Basil has a track record of support for social sustainability, such as his recent frontline support for the Mullumbimby Hospital. As a Byron Shire councillor, he has devoted a great deal of positive energy to community matters and finding constructive ways to build a strong local economy. He’s also had a very useful “past life” in the legal world, and is able to give 100 per cent of his time to the job.’
Cr Cameron said, ‘The past four years as a Byron Shire councillor, and more recently, deputy mayor, have been very rewarding. I have learnt a lot about meeting the challenges of local government and enjoy working with the community to get results. With this practical hands-on experience behind me, and fully understanding the realities of the position and its demands, I believe I can hit the ground running as mayor.’ A Goonengerry resident, Cr Cameron has lived in the shire for 25 years.
Current Byron Shire councillor and Our Sustainable Future vice-president Patrick Morrisey has announced he is leaving local government to ‘spend more time with my wife and young children – and to appreciate life’.
OSF is holding its AGM and pre-election campaign barbecue on Saturday 30 June, and all are welcome. Contact Simon Clough for more information on 6624 2894 or visit www.osf.org.au.
Elections will be held on 8 September.
