Independent Byron Shire Councillor Basil Cameron has announced his candidature for Mayor.
Greens Councillor Simon Richardson resigned from the position last month, serving his last mayoral duties on Friday, April 30 alongside Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin.
Mr Cameron has issued a media release describing himself as having a strong and successful record of working with the community.
He has referenced the shire’s housing crisis and ‘major challenges’ around transport and infrastructure.
‘We must work effectively together,’ Mr Cameron says, ‘as mayor, I will ensure this’.
‘Residents and businesses are telling me they want an experienced independent mayor that will put the community first,’ he continues, ‘as a councillor, I have been hands on in building resilience through community empowerment and believe this is central to achieving a sustainable future’.
Mr Cameron says he’s been able to drive change within the council that has led to improved finances and infrastructure.
He has previously spent five years on the council as deputy mayor and chair of the council’s finance, transport and infrastructure committees.
Byron Shire councillors are due to vote for a replacement mayor on May 13, with whoever wins the position only guaranteed tenure until local government elections in September.
The only other candidate to have announced their nomination for the position so far is former Greens turned Independent Councillor Michael Lyon.
Mr Cameron says he’ll be asking councillors to put the interests of the community first and ensure stable independent leadership.
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