My passion for the community is one I'm very proud of, and to serve and assist the community at this level would be a reward like no other. I look forward to having a more balanced council whilst listening to the communities concerns. Maitland is a very desirable place to live and has a proud history and we (the council) will make decisions that will lay the platforms for the generations to come.

I was born in Newcastle and moved to Maitland as a young infant for my parents to build and start "Natures Wonderland" at Louth Park.

Volunteering and helping the community is a passion for me, from holding numerous positions in local junior and senior rugby league clubs in Maitland to holding the current Presidents role with Neighbourhood Watch NSW Inc. I'm currently a Maintenance Manager with a large NDIS provider (Maitland Independent Disability Support) and also a small business owner.

I'm married to Narelle with Rebecah, 23, and Hayden, 18. Narelle's side of the family has never lived outside of Maitland, and I couldn't be happier to have my family grow up in such a lovely and exciting place.

Sally Halliday (Liberal)

I have served four years on council and have been blessed to have been part of many good things that have happened in Maitland, e.g. the development of sporting facilities, the increased spend on infrastructure with an upcoming $180 million spend in infrastructure, the continued support and development of cultural events in town and the active promotion and tourism for our city.

I would like to see increased community consultation in areas that are important to Maitland residents.

If re-elected I would like to see one kerbside pickup per year for all residents, a re-look at red bins with community consultation, a burnt out car policy and investigation into the old administration building becoming a "Heritage Hub" to support all our historical groups.

I have deep family roots in Maitland, having bought up two boys as a single mum. I am a teacher. I have helped both community and charity groups for over 20 years and love serving my community.

I realise the honour and trust that people place in me to make good decisions for the whole community and I value their belief and support.

Kanchan Ranadive (Liberal)

I decided to run for Maitland Council because I believe that I can better represent the community and be their voice. I was encouraged by the late Bob Geoghegan, who represented Maitland for 17 years as Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Maitland, to get involved with the Council when he learnt about my interest in helping the community. He was a dear friend and a mentor who always pushed me to do my best.

I believe that Maitland has been blessed as a city with an influx of people wanting to make Maitland their home, as it has a rich cultural heritage to offer, along with all the modern amenities of a city.

I moved to the Hunter region from India about 20 years ago with my son Ishaan and my husband Suhas, who was head hunted by a multinational thoroughbred stud farm to be their specialist equine vet. Having a background in electronics engineering, I ran a small business for a few years initially and then started a job in one of Australia's biggest banks. I worked my way up in the job and have been working as a bank manager.

My husband and I fell in love with Maitland due to its beautiful heritage architecture which is very similar to the city we grew up in, and decided to make Maitland a permanent home. Maitland is also a city of a large migrant population of health service providers, doctors and small businesses.

I believe that my experience in leadership and finance will help me make sound and strong decisions for our town which are economically and strategically sustainable. My vision for Maitland is for us to be a city which can maintain its unique character but can also provide employment opportunities for our children.

I am very proud to represent a vibrant, multicultural and inclusive community of Maitland.

Ben Whiting (Labor)

I have been on Maitland city council for nine years and have been lucky enough to be a part of so many great projects for our city being delivered. In the last term of council we had a record spend on roads but with the growth of our city there is still work to be done.

We need to keep this momentum going and maintain pressure on the state government to take up their fair share of the work required on regional roads.

I'm a local school teacher working with students with special needs. Since I was elected to council in 2012, I've been a strong advocate for better public transport connections, upgraded sporting facilities, and more community infrastructure. I'm proud of the record investments we've made under the leadership of Mayor Loretta Baker.

We've invested $71 million fixing local roads, $10 million building new footpaths and cycleways, and $17 million upgrading sporting facilities and local parks. We've made sure that there's something for everyone. Of course, there's much more to do, but over the past four years, we've been getting things done.

Peter Garnham (Independent)

A current Maitland City Councillor, and former deputy Mayor, I am married to Kelly and have four children and nine grandchildren.

I have always been active in the Maitland Community through organisations such as East Maitland Apex, East Maitland Lions Club, founding member Maitland Mens Shed, current President Maitland Steam and Antique Machinery Association, President Hunter Valley Antique Machinery Club, National President of National Historic Machinery Association, plus Chairperson Hunter Valley Steamfest for 21 years and volunteer at Maitland events.

I received NSW Government Community Service Award in 1993, Life Memberships of East Maitland Apex Club, NSW Blue Light Disco, Rotary's Paul Harris Fellowship, Lions Melvin Jones fellow in 2012 and again as Lions Hero in 2021.

My commitment to the City of Maitland has and is one of growth, employment, increased living standards, and the full support of all events as they make our residents proud of our city, they bring outside visitors and income to the businesses which means jobs, social activities, and a sense of pride. I do this to make the city the best place I can for my children and grandchildren.

Being part of the team that has upgraded and built the city over the last 21 years I am proud of what has been achieved in areas of community assets like sports and athletic fields, pools, libraries, community halls and yes even the art gallery.

All these community assets need to be constantly reviewed and updated to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the community as a whole, we have a bit of work still to do. We have some major infrastructure issues to push the State Government for a resolution to being the flyover at the Maitland Rail roundabout, Thornton traffic Issues.

In house we need to I believe finalise the red bin Issue, booked kerbside pickup, safety around schools and upgraded playgrounds, and our Mount Vincent Waste Transfer Station.

Paul Johns (Independent)

Paul Johns says he wants to make a difference.

He was born at Kurri Kurri Hospital, raised in the Hunter and lived in the Maitland area most of his life, currently residing in East Maitland with his wife and two teenage children. He is legally blind, being visually impaired since birth and has decided to run for council because he wants to create greater awareness of the challenges, gaps in services and barriers for people with a disability, ensuring greater disability inclusion within the community and strong representation on council.

Paul, with his guide dog "Keith" wants to bring their honest, down to earth, real-life experience and humility to the community, help others with a disability to access support to reach their goals and make a genuine difference in creating a more open and inclusive society for everybody.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for all of Maitland to better understand the very real day-to-day challenges impacting people who live with a disability, and as a community to become the leader in disability awareness, inclusion, infrastructure and support in the Hunter region." Paul has had an extensive career working in retail, is on the boards of Early-Links Inclusion Support Services, the Disability Access Committee with Maitland Council, and Lake Macquarie BMX.