Who is standing for election?
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The Queanbeyan Age met with election candidates as they announced their campaigns to find out why they are standing and why they deserve your vote on Saturday.
Click on the photos below to learn more about each candidate and what they stand for.
Get in touch with us – editor.queanbeyanage@fairfaxmedia.com.au
PETER BRAY: The former deputy mayor of Queanbeyan council wants his seat back so he can continue to get things done for the community.
PAUL COCKRAM: As an incumbent of the former Palerang Council, he felt he had as good a chance as anyone of gaining the required votes to represent Braidwood.
TENILLE VAUGHAN: If elected she will lobby for safer spaces for children to play and for more equipment and amenities for families.
DENIS REID: The long-time resident says previous councils had watched on as the heart of the town suffered and he wanted to step up and find a fix.
TREVOR HICKS: Mr Hicks would like to return to council so he can continue to work for both regions.
RENA SPEARS: The career public servant wants to see the EDE and a cinema delivered for Queanbeyan.
RADMILA NOVESKA: "I want to make sure that council continues to deliver services effectively – right across the new council region - from Braidwood to Burra.”
PHILLIP MIDDLETON: The president of the Young Liberals in Eden-Monaro hopes to be a voice for young people in the region.
TONY WOOD: The Raiders mascot would like you to see what's under his suit - that's a man who's committed to Queanbeyan.
THARREN KINGSTON-LEE: The Karabar resident has served with the Royal Australian Air Force for 20 years and now wants to try his hand at a different kind of leadership.
IAN WHOLOHAN: Known as a bit of a problem solver, Mr Wholohan wants to make Queanbeyan a destination of choice.
JENNI BRADLEY: The long-time Queanbeyan resident wants to put her mind towards reactivating the city.
MARY KOVACEVIC: The Drive to Survive driving academy owner feels there is a mood for change in Queanbeyan.
FILIP PAJKOVSKI: The 22-year-old is running for council to make Queanbeyan a more attractive place for young people and he wants to put sport high on the agenda.
MICHELE BISCOTTI: The former business man and football enthusiast wants to see small business thrive in Queanbeyan.
STEVE TASKOVSKI: The real estate agent has lived in the area for 47 years after migrating from Macedonia.
MARK SCHWEIKERT: Mr Schweikert has lived in Bungendore for 14 years, before that living in Queanbeyan.
ASHLEY MEYER-DILLEY: The 2016 Young Citizen of the Year for Bungendore wants to inspire young people to take part in local politics.
SUE JARVIS: Never imagined she would stand for election again after spending three terms on council more than a decade ago.
MIKE CRAMSIE: Career lawyer Mike Cramsie wants to see the first Queanbeyan-Palerang council deliver fairness for both rural and city residents.
KATIE WHELAN: If elected she would push to establish a youth council and improve engagement with young people in the community.
JUDITH BURFOOT: She served three and a half years on council before it was dissolved and wants back in to continue her work for the community.
STEVE STAVREAS: The Dimitiries Jewellers owner moved to Queanbeyan in 1982 and fell in love with the place.
JOHN TALBOT: He has devoted his time to community organisations for years but now wants to contribute more actively in the region.
PHIL SHOEMARK: After 50 years in the area wants to make sure his community of Braidwood has a voice in local government.
SUE WHELAN: Hopes to bring her years of experience to the table for the new council.
VLADO CVETKOSKI: “We need representatives who will deliver for all of our region, not simply narrow or single-issue candidates".
JASON MOFFETT: The barrister wants a cinema in Queanbeyan and plans to get the road to Captains Flat completely sealed.
TRUDY TAYLOR: She’s chosen to run for council again because she wants to make Queanbeyan a better place to live, to raise a family and to work.
TERRY CAMPESE: Wants to support the town that has always supported him through a spot on the council.
KENRICK WINCHESTER: “Queanbeyan is so good they built the capital of the country next door.”
JOHNNY LANGE: The Lange’s Auto Centre owner is a Wamboin boy and now Carwoola family man.
ANTHONY ZAKOSKI: Supports the EDE and wants more traffic redirection efforts in place to give towns the space to thrive.
DANNY KING: "I'm not a political animal." Charleyong born and bred, Mr King wants to be the voice for the needs of Braidwood and its outlying communities.
KARUNA BAJRACHARYA: Representing young families, Mr Bajracharya said he understands the region's needs well and wants to help it develop with a long term approach.
TIM OVERALL: "This is a critical time for our region." The former mayor wants to be a part of the council overseeing the governance of the region into the future.
MAREETA GRUNDY: Wants to future proof the city region to ensure no one is overburdened or negleted.
PETER MARSHALL: "In some ways I was probably bred for politics," the Greens candidate said. He wants to bring reform to the new council.
BRENT HUNTER: Bringing life back into the town centre is a priority for Mr Hunter, through increased social media use.
MARIA TAYLOR: The editor of the District Bulletin has spent close to a decade observing Queanbeyan and Palerang councils in a professional capacity.
KATRINA WILLIS: Ms Willis hopes to see change in the amalgamated Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
NATHANIEL HARPER: At 19 years old, Mr Harper wants to bring a youthful lens to the new council.
BRIAN BROWN: “You can achieve so much with proper consultation and actually talking to people.”
IAN MARJASON: The former mayor wants to see people free to build their lives and have their businesses enabled, rather than burdened, by their local council.
JOHN PRESTON: “As a councillor on QPRC I want guarantees that rate increases will be capped.”
HELEN LANGFORD: “I am committed to a consultative and open council that provides services to all sections of the community."
JAN BROWNE: If elected she would champion the creation of an indoor sports facility with four full size courts situated near schools and populated suburban areas.
DAVID LOFT: A regional outlook is important to this former builder from Queanbeyan.
PETE HARRISON: The former Palerang mayor wants to see a council meet the needs of all its constituents.
GAVIN GASNIER: Top of the list for this candidate is to see Queanbeyan get rid of its "struggle town" tag.
SHEILA NORMAN: "I want to work hard to provide a good environment for the younger generation as they grow up.”
GREG BUCKMAN: Mr Buckman wants council to improve the way it looks after the environment.
WALTER REYNOLDS: The former Palerang mayor thinks councils should stick to core issues and do them well.
JASON WEBB: “I’d like to see practical solutions to all the small problems the towns have.”
KEVIN BUTT: As president of the Googong Residents Association Mr Butt hears what is important to residents and what they’re unhappy about.
KATHY HANDEL: Kathy is passionate about the environment and wants to see a fair go for all.
JASON PLATT: “Fighting for fairer rates, smaller businesses to do well, decent roads, that all helps communities.”
MATHEW GRAHAM: The first time candidate on the Liberal ticket wants to make both former council areas even stronger.
TANYA DAVIS: Ms Davis wants to be a voice on the council for her community of Wamboin.
ROBERT BOZ: The Googong resident wants to represent small businesses in the area if elected to council.
BELINDA HOGARTH-BOYD: The former Palerang deputy mayor promises she will engage with the community.
JOHN VAN DER STRAATEN: The retired federal public servant wants capable local government for the region.
LARRY KING: Retirement has seen Larry King rekindle an interest in the affairs of a rural community.
KEITH FRANCE: The former Palerang councillor wants to help ensure financial responsibility.
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