Maitland Council election 2021: Meet your lead candidates in North and West Wards

I'm running as a councillor for North Ward, as I feel our great city continues to need a voice to ensure we remain vibrant and relevant. Many people are moving to the area because of our lifestyle and facilities. Being a business owner and a keen tourism enthusiast it's important we showcase our natural and built facilities, such as our world class athletics field.

My goal in the next term is to ensure development can only proceed with correct infrastructure in place. We have seen our road network come to a pinch point with infrastructure not keeping up with growth.

I am proud on the last term to represent North Ward and the city on a number of important issues. Unfortunately we did not have the numbers in council to offer a rate relief but I will continue to fight for those less fortunate. Having lived in Maitland for over 20 years, as a father of two and a husband, I am very proud to continue to represent the people of Maitland.

Mitchell Griffin (Liberal)

I am proud of this city and love living here. I love the lifestyle, the environment and the people.

But after the last four years our city has issues. Traffic, rubbish and development. We need serious solutions from candidates prepared to act. I am looking for your support to advocate for a solution to these issues.

I am keen to see council focus on prioritising traffic issues in Thornton. Half an hour to get in/out of your suburb is not acceptable. I feel now is the time for council to start exploring potential routes for a bypass.

It is also time for change in relation to waste management. We are one of few Hunter councils without kerbside pickup. We also need to review the mayor's decision to cut red bin services. All current councillors support FOGO for food scraps in green bins, but there is no need to change the frequency for red bins without first consulting the community. I will support a rescission of these cuts and endorse community consultation for the option our community expects.

I am Maitland born and raised. My family arrived in Morpeth in 1839, and when I was born our family lived in units attached to the Astor Theatre. I was married at Morpeth Common to my wife Larissa and we have two boys together and two puppies.

I work providing frontline administrative services in a busy acute hospital. I am also an accredited motorsport official and regularly volunteer at Supercar events.

Campbell Knox (Greens)

Less than 40 per cent of councils across NSW have a councillor under the age of 30 so we are running on a progressive youth ticket for Maitland's future. We want to build back community spirit by investing in our future - affordable housing, equal accessibility, green spaces, small business support, heritage maintenance and sustainable infrastructure.

If elected we promise to take a break from development and let the city catch its breathe, let North Ward's infrastructure finally meet the needs of the community and be equally accessible for everyone. Introduce stronger affordable housing policies that let young people find a life here. We also need to find better housing for wildlife too with stronger environmental protection.

I was born in Maitland- my first family home in Rous Street with two sisters and maths teachers for parents. Moving to Ashtonfield and now settling in Chisholm where I make use of our city's great public transport system to travel between one of three jobs.

Two of these jobs help provide open and accepting spaces for youth in Newcastle and Maitland to artistically express themselves at theatre schools and alongside communities I grew up around. I also open up a service station in Maitland. Through these opportunities I've been able to engage with the community and understand the issues with our current council.

Paul Hickey

I am running for council as I believe it is time of a change. Council rates have risen in the vicinity of 80 per cent over five years. I believe we should get a better deal when it comes to roads rates, recreation and community consultation no a $40m plus council building in flood area.

If elected I will oppose any further rate rises. I would like to investigate ways in which council could be saving ratepayer dollars instead of spending millions on advertising.

I believe that we should not be rezoning prime agricultural land for housing. Infrastructure should be put in place before development. We must be promoting and preserving our rich heritage and history. Over the years I have witnessed the destruction of many iconic structures in Maitland in the name of progress.

I am a retiree who would be able to devote my time in serving the community. I was born in Maitland and my ancestors arrived in Morpeth in 1840. I attended the Maitland Marist Brothers High School. I am a graduate of the NSW Police Academy and have completed business studies at the Hunter Institute.

During my Police Service I was awarded the National Police Medal and the NSW Police Ethical Service Medal for my service to the community.

Stephanie Fisher (Labor)

I grew up in Maitland, I run my own small business here, and I live in Rutherford with my husband and our two girls. Like so many young families, we've loved building our life together right here in the west.

As a councillor, my focus will be on fixing local roads, improving local sports fields, upgrading our parks and playgrounds, and connecting our community with better footpaths and cycleways.

Over the past four years, Mayor Loretta Baker has prioritised each of these issues with record funding, and I look forward to building on her track record as part of Loretta's Labor Team.

Kristy-Lee Ferguson (Independent)

I want nothing but the best for the residents and community of Maitland.

Being a young mother with school aged children, I am very aware of the needs, wants and concerns of young families. Maitland is an incredibly fast growing town and my hope is to be a sounding board for all who want to be heard.

I was born and raised in Maitland and attended Telarah Primary and Rutherford Technology High School. I moved into an AIN role in Aged Care which I absolutely loved, only leaving to start my family. I currently work in administration for a local concrete company while raising my children.

I have a beautiful blended family with six kids ranging from 15 down to nine months with my partner Chris. This has had us involved in many after school activities over the years from the PCYC to Maitland Mustangs and West Maitland Junior Rugby League, all of which we have loved being associated with.

Maitland has been home to generations of my family and I am excited to be raising my own family here and have the opportunity to be a part of its future growth.