All registered voters in the Orange State District, which includes the Parkes Shire, will have to go to the polls for the third time this year in the NSW State by-election on Saturday, 12th November to vote for a member of the Legislative Assembly. The seat of Orange became vacant when National MP Andrew Gee won the federal seat of Calare in the July election.
A field of seven candidates is contesting the elections with Forbes resident Dianne Decker the only candidate from outside Orange. The other candidates are Scott Barrett for the Nationals, Philip Donate for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Janelle Bicknell for the Greens, Scott Munro an Independent, Bernard Fitzsimon for Labor and Kevin Duffy Independent. Dianne is standing for the Christian Democratic Party.
Dianne, who served as a Forbes Councillor for 16 years, said the biggest issues she would be focusing on were council amalgamations, flood proofing the Newell Highway to Parkes and West Wyalong and health. The Parkes Shire Council has endorsed a priority list, based on community consultation and strategically important issues, to
canvass with the candidates.
“These issues are important to our community and we strongly support calls to all parties to take local council and community issues seriously, and commit to improving our sector,” said Mayor Ken Keith. Council has identified the following priorities for the Parkes Shire:
Parkes heavy vehicle bypass, Parkes southern ring road, NSW Fire Brigade Station, freight rail and Parkes National Logistics HUB, increased short-term funding for Roads, Parkes Rural Fire Station – new shed, telecommunications upgrade, Parkes CBD Vibrancy Project, decentralization, Agriculture Value Adding – Parkes Demonstration
Project, Bells Line Expressway, Parkes Regional Airport Business Park, education standards and resources for regions.