Roads and SRV main issues for Gunnedah voters

What the community said

Road maintenance and the special rate variation were high priorities for voters in Gunnedah on Saturday.

Almost 2000 votes were cast at the Gunnedah Town Hall on election day.

Queues stretched out the door for much of the morning and early afternoon, as voters filed through to cast their ballot.

Among them was Matt from Gunnedah who said the proposed 38.8 per cent rate change over two years was one of the main issues for him this election.

“The rates are definitely one – maybe they should have worked it in over a five or 10 year period,” he said.

The local resident also wanted to see council place greater emphasis behind more motorsport events in Gunnedah.

Another voting at the town hall was property owner Carla, who said roads were a major focus for her family given their proximity from Gunnedah.

“We live out of town, we don’t get the other services like garbage, so we need our gravel roads looked after and council is neglecting our roads,” she said.

“That’s from someone who is on the land but there would be different things for people in town.”

Carla said the successful councillor candidates should be those who are prepared to speak up on behalf of ratepayers.

“You want someone on council who is a go getter, who doesn’t say ‘I can’t intervene in the council’s works’ – that’s not good enough as far I’m concerned,” she said.

Of the 7400 votes counted so far in the Gunnedah shire, more than half (4100) were cast at the Gunnedah pre-poll centre.

The total informal count so far was sitting at about 7.2 per cent or about 500 votes.