MWCCI meet the candidates forum hears from most of the contenders in Greater Geraldton election race

Fresh blood, the old guard and experienced contenders wanting a second crack in the Greater Geraldton mayoral and council races pitched their cases at a meet the candidates forum on Wednesday night.

Of the four contenders for mayor, only two turned up to the live-streamed event — deputy mayor Jerry Clune and FIFO worker Tammy Croasdale — while current mayor Shane Van Styn and anti-vaccine mandate campaigner Aaron Horsman were no-shows.

Cr Clune said he was confident in his ability to be a “leader, provider, collaborator, planner, capacity builder and advocate”.

“So from Point Moore to way past Pindar in the pastoral regions, I put my hand up for your choice for mayor and to accept that role with dignity and humility as the role deserves,” he said.

Cr Clune added if he was mayor he would put egos aside in keeping communication open with State and Federal government and other business and community stakeholders, so “we don’t just come knocking on the door when whingeing about something”.

Ms Croasdale told the forum she would have to hang up her FIFO boots if elected mayor, accepting her initial idea of “job-sharing” would not work.

“Let me answer a question that’s hot on everyone’s lips — why are you running for mayor? That is because of exposure, I have been exposed to stakeholders in the community, listening to what they have to say, I’ve also been exposed to the role, what’s happening around the community,” said Ms Croasdale, the former fiancee of Mr Van Styn.

The forum, hosted by the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also heard from 12 of the 16 candidates vying for the four available councillor seats, all with varying priorities but sharing a passion to represent and give back to their community.

Those who spoke included potential council newcomers Michael Barker, Jim Cregan, Ian Dempsey, Jenna Denton, Benjamin Horn, Darryl Ingvarson, Dempsey Morgan, existing councillors Bob Hall, Simon Keemink and Michael Reymond and previous councillors eyeing a second stint, Peter Fiorenza and Chris Gabelish.

Hot topics discussed included tackling homelessness, housing affordability, planning for future population growth and emerging industries, improving parks, planting more trees, reducing crime, recycling, improving accessibility and how council could make it easier for promoters to bring events to Geraldton.

The issues of diversity on council — with only two women putting their hand up in this election race — was keenly debated.

Ms Denton said: “I think it’s (the issue) important, but I don’t want to gather votes just because I’m a female amongst 15 male candidates, I want to be voted in based on my skillset and what I have to offer the community. But it would be good to see more diversity and diversity is not just gender.”

The issue sparked discussion about whether school groups should attend council meetings and whether there should be compulsory voting at local government elections.

As of Thursday, only 22.89 per cent of eligible voters in Greater Geraldton had returned their ballots in the postal election, with just over a week to go.

CANDIDATES Q&A: PAGES 22-25