Third Time's A Charm?

If you made good use of your preferences in the last local government elections, your vote is about to become very powerful – again.

If you didn't preference, you'll probably be annoyed – again – that your vote turned out to be wasted.

If you are focused on your rising rates and Council's spending, you'll be relieved that this has all happened before the 18-month deadline which would have forced Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) into an expensive by-election at more than $200,000.

Instead, the bill for this countback election will probably come in under $10,000. But since it's SCC's third countback since the full election in September last year, our bills from the NSW Electoral Commission are racking up.

The price of three countback elections might have helped keep Family Day Care alive, opened up a pool or library for longer hours or even funded a new neighbourhood playground.

For $30,000, we could have nearly 1km of a rural road resealed. Or we could have given away six more $5k community wellbeing, sports or arts grants. Or provided six more $5k Local Heritage Assistance grants for conservation or restoration work on historic buildings.

These by-elections could have paid well over a year's rent of the region's largest tennis facility in Bomaderry, where one of the court lights recently collapsed to the ground (luckily when no one was playing).

Instead of by-elections, Shoalhaven Council could have installed CCTV cameras at illegal dumping hotspots or purchased several thousand native plants plus the labour to plant them.

Nevertheless, Shoalhaven Council will tomorrow get yet another new councillor. This time, the lucky winner will replace Shoalhaven Independent Group (SIG) candidate Jason Cox, who resigned after appearing in Nowra Local Court last month to face charges of common assault and damaging property.

At 10 am this morning, the NSW Electoral Commission released the names of all Ward 1 candidates who nominated for inclusion in the countback, and the turnout is high.

For the previous countback for Ward 3, Greens' Debbie Killian was the only candidate available or willing to nominate, resulting in Killian being appointed unelected to the Councillor position previously held by Natalee Johnston, who dramatically resigned over what she publicly stated was a level of Council dysfunction and paralysis she could not justify enduring for another three years.

Ward 3 SIG candidate, Denise Kemp, was installed on countback early in this council's tenure after the resignation of SIG's Mitchell Pakes before he was even sworn in.

But, this time in Ward 1, five people have put their hands up: Crystal Brandon (IND), Kylie Lawrence (ALP), Amanda Smith (SIG), Brett Steele (SIG) and Sarah Waddell (GRN).

Preferences from Jason Cox's tally are most likely to flow to a successful outcome for one of the two SIG nominees. But Shoalhaven's electorate won't know for sure until the ballots are recounted after 10am tomorrow.

As the merry-go-round continues, re-acquaint yourself with the community-minded individuals who have saddled up for a second run at Shoalhaven's fickle chamber.

Crystal Brandon

After moving to the Shoalhaven in 2011, Crystal graduated from the Shoalhaven Campus of the UOW, is a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Real Estate Agent working alongside her husband Glenn at Ray White South Coast. Crystal's mantra is: If you don’t like something, you should do what you can to fix it, not just hope someone else will. Crystal is the Vice President of the Shoalhaven Business Chamber and has also worked as a hotel manager, legal secretary and presenter. She is a mum and a performing arts and live music enthusiast with multiple accomplishments in acting and singing. She grew up in an area gazetted for growth and said that, having seen development done well and not so well, she opposes bad development in the Shoalhaven. Crystal is a keen researcher, obsessed with demography and able to implement clear and efficient processes. "I thrive in collaboration. I want to put the Shoalhaven on the map for all of the right reasons."

Kylie Lawrence 
The former teacher and small business owner, has deep roots in the Shoalhaven and is committed to supporting the community. With her children at university, Kylie is focused on giving back by supporting local businesses, improving youth opportunities, and ensuring a sustainable future for the Shoalhaven. Passionate about preserving its natural beauty and vibrant communities, Kylie is dedicated to making Shoalhaven the best place to live, work, and raise a family.​

Dr Sarah Waddell

An environmental law consultant and previous solicitor and academic, Sarah moved to Kangaroo Valley six years ago and was active in local community groups, including Brogers Creek Landcare, the KV Environment Group, Reconciliation Allies Kangaroo Valley, and Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby. Sarah understands the land use planning system and local government law and wants more vigilance in securing development decisions that preserve our natural heritage and way of life in the Shoalhaven, while providing future-minded employment and appropriate economic development. She advocates for better engagement with First Nations communities, promoting innovative waste management and renewable energy initiatives.