You would be excused for thinking that the Tweed Shire mayoral and deputy-mayoral election was underwhelming if you watched yesterday’s Tweed Shire Council (TSC) meeting. But the furore that has erupted since on social media paints a very different picture.
Former Independent Mayor Chris Cherry and Deputy Mayor Meredith Dennis were both elected unopposed at yesterday’s TSC meeting following the withdrawal of nominations for Mayor by Liberal’s James Owen and for Deputy Mayor by Labor’s Reece Byrnes.
The Tweed mayor is elected for a period of two years by the councillors and the deputy mayor is elected for a period of one year.
‘I was totally shocked to be the only nomination at the end of the day yesterday,’ Mayor Cherry told The Echo.
‘I am obviously incredibly excited to start a new term. I actually think that the electorate has spoken by re-electing essentially the same Council. I do think that’s been a really strong endorsement of of what Council’s been doing over the last few years.
‘An election is like the ultimate performance review of your job,’ she said. ‘It has the whole electorate talking about and telling you what they think, and what they’ve told us is that they want the same council.’
Owen and Hone trumpet on social media
Following the meeting, Cr Owen was clear in his disappointment about not becoming the Tweed mayor telling his supporters on social media that, ‘I was made aware before the extraordinary meeting (literally five minutes before) that Cr [Kimberly] Hone was not going to vote in support of my mayoral nomination and therefore I withdrew my nomination as that was always the agreement; either we had majority support to get it done and implement the change we so desperately needed, or we walked.’
And walk they did, straight out of the meeting during the first break for photographs etc and neither Liberal councillors Owen and his partner Rhiannon Brinsmead returned to the chamber for the rest of the TSC meeting.
However, this narrative was contradicted by Cr Hone on her social media where she told her followers that, ‘what happened was is Cr Byrnes offered me a deputy position, and in support, he would back councilor Owen in the mayoral position.
‘I said I don’t want the deputy position because I’m not in a position to be able to learn all of the council procedures and policies in my first term. And then in response to that, Cr Byrnes nominated himself as deputy.
‘I was not aware that Cr Owen was going to withdraw his nomination for mayor. That surprised me. I don’t know why he did that, and I can clarify for you right now… I would never, ever in a million years, vote for The Greens, ever, or for anyone affiliated with The Greens,’ says Cr Hone.
‘I also just want to note that Cr Owen has done a press release and he has titled me as a National Party candidate. I’m not I’m an Independent, and he didn’t even spell my name correctly.’
It is important to note that Cr Hone did run as the National Party candidate for the last Federal election in the seat of Richmond. The National Party does not run candidates in local elections and requires members to run as independents.
Affordable housing key issue
Both Crs Cherry and Dennis told The Echo that one of the key issues this council needs to address is housing.
‘I’m absolutely thrilled and so grateful to be reelected as deputy mayor and I’m looking forward to working with Cr Cherry and Kimberly Hone,’ Cr Dennis told The Echo.
‘The number of people telling me of what is going on with the homelessness is a major concern and also I’m really concerned about the wildlife and environment. I will maintain a focus on affordable housing and the environment.
‘I am very honoured and humbled to be here again and will be working really hard for the community.’
Cr Cherry agreed, telling The Echo that, ‘affordable housing has to be the focus of Council, doing whatever we can to facilitate it. There are three things that need to be addressed in relation to affordable housing in Tweed Shire.
‘The main thing is to get our affordable housing contribution scheme happening, then change our planning controls to enable and facilitate easier adherence and facilitate more affordable housing and finally to get action on land banking and stop land banking,’ said Cr Cherry.
Addressing the political jockeying in the lead up to the election, Cr Cherry said, ‘hopefully, as a team of councillors, we can all let that go. The beauty of being an independent is that I am happy to work with all councillors, all parties, and all views at the table. And I will try to work to have a consensus view for council’s issues.
‘At the end of the day I respect that each councillor is there because people voted them in to be there. So everybody has a view that is worth hearing and and let’s work together to try and make sure we can get the best results.’
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