Meet the seven candidates for Ward C in the Kyogle Council Election

Here is what the ballot paper for Ward C will look like.

All 17 candidates running in the Kyogle Council Election have been offered free editorial on IndyNR.com to introduce themselves so you can get to know them a little better before you vote.

Because there are so many, we are presenting them by their wards. Here are the seven candidates in Ward C.

More candidate profiles and election stories can be read here.

Danielle Mulholland

Age: 54 years old

Lives: Gradys Creek

Job: full time councillor, part time lawyer, part time board member

There are so many reasons I am running for Council, as a true Independent.  I grew up in the country and have served three terms on Council, but there is still so much left to do. I want to focus on:

• roads and bridges backlog
• helping Kyogle and our villages thrive
• sustainable communities, balancing the environment while encouraging innovative primary production such as gate to plate experiences, raw product to market on farm etc
• our ageing volunteer base
• basics for the villages such as kerb and guttering, pavements etc
• passing waste levy waiver on to residents, saving them $ at the tip gate
• economic and social activation of our communities
• community engagement to rebuild the trust between community, Council the organisation and the elected body, and to better inform decision making
• ensure that water and sewer project is delivered to Wiangaree, Tabulam and Mallanganee
• seeing the Mallanganee lookout complete which highlights our most marketable resource – the natural environment
• ­build a cooperative, collaborative team
• being the community’s voice on the bigger issues.

I am a passionate advocate for our Council area and have extensive networks to help us go where we need to go in the future.  Those networks are across all branches of politics.

Ian Murrell

Lives: Cougal

Job: Has been a clinical nurse and cabinetmaker

I have lived in Kyogle district since 2016, with my partner Eija.

I am a cabinetmaker and was a clinical nurse who worked in the area haemato-oncology in Australia and overseas.

I have been the chair of a body corporate in Brisbane, and on the board of a food co-operative.

I live on acreage, next the Border Ranges National Park, which I am slowly rehabilitating.

I’m not a farmer or a commercial entity, just someone who wants to leave what I have in a better condition than when I found it.

I have no grandiose plan for the future of Kyogle Council, apart from creating an appealing place to live, work, and visit.

I just want to listen, learn and plan, in conjunction with council and the people of the area.

I think it is one way to positively impact the area that I live in.

Simon Dejoux

Age: 67

Lives: Gradys Creek

Job: retired

I want to make a real, positive difference for people.  I have the skills and experience to see Kyogle lead the Northern Rivers as it once did and not be its poor forgotten cousin.  We need to rebuild our profile and our reputation with the decision makers in Canberra and Sydney, so they invest in our communities. 

I want to be part of a Council that:

puts the residents and ratepayers first;

is truly open, honest, transparent, and effective;

knows how to work together as a team for the good of our communities

works with other levels of government to ensure our needs are heard, understood, and addressed;

honours the past, celebrates the present but is ready for the challenges of the future.

This is why I’m running for Council – to do the best I can and improve on what we already have to offer.  I know what we need to do, to make our area the best it can be, now and into the future.  I can be your voice when making decisions that affect you.  I’m honest, have high standards of integrity and a willingness to be part of a high performing team.  Let me be the voice you can trust.  I keep my promises and I won’t let you down.   Our communities matter.  Let’s be heard.

James Murray

Lives: Gradys Creek

Age: 56

Lives: Gradys Creek

Job: beef cattle farmer, logging contractor

Born in Kyogle, educated at Kyogle high school and Emerald Agricultural College. Worked as stockman, property manager, machinery operator, timber faller.

I’ve ran my own business since 1996. I own a property on Grady’s Creek.

After returning to the district, I moved to Bonalbo to manage Morpeth Park.

I’ve lived around Bonalbo for five years.

In 2001 I returned to the family farm which has been home to my family for 104 years.

My work as a contractor is mainly in Kyogle Shire and the majority of that work is in the Mallanganee/Bonalbo area.

For some years I had thought about running for council but it was several things that spurred me to nominate.

Driving my truck on Clarence Way daily, I watched a $5million road fall to pieces within a month of sealing and I was sick of my vehicles getting smashed at the Bonalbo end.

I was concerned about the arrogance from within the council chambers and I was concerned about 100-year projects like the Risk Bridge being mismanaged.

As a first-term councillor I have delivered on roads, transparency in council and property rights. I will continue to push for sewer and water reticulation in all C Ward villages as well as graveside access for Woodenbong, upgrading of Bulmers Road and widening of the Clarence way through Yabbra.

Earle Grundy

Age: 69

Lives: Bonalbo/Queensland

Job: farmer

I have spent over 20 years in the Capeen (Old Bonalbo) area but have since retired.

Although I now reside in Queensland, I have kept in the loop with the happenings in the Kyogle Council and community which I have an affinity with.

I have rented a small property in Bonalbo and if elected, it will become a more permanent base for me.

I was a councillor in Queensland for 15 years and I held the position of councillor within the Kyogle Council for five and a half years and was witness to many projects being initiated; many completed or now nearing completion.

These projects such as the wooden bridge replacement program and rebuilding of the Clarence Way are major projects that I can say I had a big part in.

I am really pleased to see these and many other projects have become a reality.

There are still many projects that need to be completed and I believe I can be an essential part of that.

I have always been able to communicate and liaise between council staff and the local community as well as aiding the council to claim state and federal assistance and I am a proven team player.

Tom Cooper

Age: 66

Lives: Bonalbo

Job: dairy farmer

Our future is heavily influenced economically by our council – with 159 employees, we are the largest employer in the Shire.

Our $80million budget drives a significant part of the local economy.

We must ensure the council, at all times, buys local and employs local contractors where a competitive rate prevails. This helps stimulate small businesses in our area, as this is the backbone of our economy.

There are too many shops in our towns and villages sitting empty. Let’s help small business by cutting the red tape and improve development application times.

We are seeing improvements in our road networks, but more must be done. Good roads lead to fuel efficiencies and therefore less emissions.

I was a councillor on Kyogle Council Ward C in 2013. I was elected again this last term and served as deputy mayor.

I’ve served on the Local Land Services board and was re-appointed by the Minister for Agriculture for my second term.

I’ve been on the Bonalbo Rural Fire Brigade for five years, and chairman of the Australia Day Committee for three years.

This council does not belong to the mayor, councillors or staff or the GM – it belongs to the residents you will prove this when you exercise your democratic right to vote on September 14.

Robin Harley

Age: 68

Lives: I live with my wife Lesley at Smiths Creek on the way to Toonumbah Dam. We’ve been married for 48 years.

Job: Norco

I have been employed at Norco for 37 years,30 at Kyogle and the last seven years at Casino.

Standing for Kyogle Council means being able to represent the community at the council level, to make people feel that their concerns are important.

It’s easy these days to let the simple things in life drift by.

My dad always said that you’re born with two ears and one mouth, so you should listen more than you talk.

I believe I’m a good communicator. I pride myself on being inclusive and feel that we need more of that.

One of my goals is to say that “as an elected Council we are in touch with our community’.

My long association as an administrator in rugby league will stand me in good stead with meeting protocol and behaviour.

The Kyogle Council strategic plan is a document that gives us reason to believe that our place is where we can raise and educate our kids in a safe environment and where we can care for our elderly citizens in a safe environment.

The population is predicted to grow, the strategic plan has a focus on our villages and on continuous improvement in all aspects of our infrastructure.

Being a councillor is being a really active part in our future.

More election stories here.