Council & Business
8 October, 2024
Housing, growth and the shire’s future discussed at candidate forum with one withdrawal announced
Seven candidates spoke about they bring to the table as part of The Advertiser's candidate forum last Sunday.
Pragmatic statements, trite platitudes and wishful policies formed much of what was said at Sunday’s well-attended candidate forum.
And among the cordial discourse there was also a surprise announcement — with Paddys Ranges candidate Gregory Corcoran withdrawing from the race.
Around 40 people gathered at the Maryborough Community Hub on October 6 to hear first-hand from those vying for a seat in the upcoming Central Goldfields Shire Council elections.
Eight of the 11 candidates running across five wards attended The Advertiser’s forum — the remaining were absent due to other commitments.
Kicking the afternoon off, the first session involved candidates from the three Maryborough wards, Trevor Stevens (east), Wayne Sproull and Geoffrey Bartlett (north), and Lowen Clarke (central).
They were followed by the candidates standing in the Paddys Ranges Ward — Chris Meddows-Taylor, Ben Green, and Gregory Corcoran — as well as Flynn Ward’s Raymond Sexton.
As part of the Q&A round, each candidate, except Mr Corcoran due to no longer being in the running, answered five questions known to them prior to the forum and later also fielded queries from those in attendance.
The latter segment took up a majority of the allocated time, with residents highlighting their increasing stake and interest in this year’s elections.
Throughout the afternoon, withstanding some similarities in views, a diversity in candidates’ responses and approaches became evident.
From their motivations for standing in the election to what set them apart from the rest, speakers narrowed down their key priorities.
Attendees heard about a need for “solutions that benefit everybody”, fixing issues around mismanage-ment of “iconic assets”, the importance of building on past projects and the difference a fresh perspective could bring.
Candidates also responded to questions around: what role council plays in the community, the biggest problem impacting the shire, their ability to manage responsibilities and a positive event they enjoyed in the community.
Once the floor opened up to the public and voters’ concerns were voiced, candidates had another opportunity to cement their unique positions.
Community queries ranged from adequate resource management in the council, the geographical growth of Maryborough, future of Energy Breakthrough to lack of housing, and the need for a diverse workforce to bolster local economy.
Some residents also shifted the focus away from Maryborough, Talbot and Dunolly to the smaller communities of Timor, Bowenvale, and Bealiba.
In responding to these questions, some candidates brought a more reserved, matter of fact perspective to the issue while others made grander proclamations.
When election results are declared on November 15, it’ll be a confirmation of what swayed voters more.
While the hub was packed with a crowd of 40 on Sunday, it only represents 0.35 percent of the Central Goldfields Shire’s total voting population — meaning candidates present on the day still have work to do in engaging with their respective constituents.
With ballot packs now being mailed out to residents, and voting closing in two weeks’ time on October 25, this final stretch of campaigning could determine the direction the region takes in the next four years.
---------------------------------------------------
One of the candidates contesting the Paddys Ranges Ward, Gregory Corcoran, has announced his decision to pull out of the race as a result of a personal medical issue.
Mr Corcoran told attendees at Sunday’s candidate forum that he had been advised by doctors to step away to focus on his health.
However, due to the decision being made after the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC) deadline to withdraw, voters in Paddys Ranges will still see Mr Corcoran’s name on ballot packs.
According to the VEC after nominations have closed, a candidate can only retire if the retirement would result in an uncontested election or if the candidate is not eligible.
“Therefore the candidate (Mr Corcoran) will remain a standing candidate on the ballot paper,” VEC told The Advertiser.
“If he intends to step down if elected, that would be a matter for him. This would result in a by-election for the ward.”
The other two candidates running in the same ward are Chris Meddows-Taylor, and Ben Green.

