Choices for Hills Mayor

Hills voters have a choice of five candidates for Mayor of The Hills Shire Council in elections on December 4th.

Current Mayor Michelle Byrne, who was the Shire’s first popularly elected Mayor in 2017, will not be standing again. She had considered standing as an Independent after losing Liberal Party backing but announced on Wednesday (November 3rd) that she will not be part of the campaign.

Part of her statement said: “I know for many that this announcement will come as a disappointment and no doubt will cause even more anger at the way I and my fellow Councillors have been treated.” (Her full statement is available online at hillstohawkesbury.com.au)

Only three of the current Liberal councillors on Hills Shire Council were selected by the Liberal State Executive as candidates for December 4th Local Government Elections. Hills Liberal branches were not part of the process.

Sitting councillor Dr Peter Gangemi is the Liberal nomination for the Hills’ top job and Councillor Ryan Tracey has been endorsed by Labor to stand as Mayor. The Greens candidate for Mayor is cancer researcher Dr Vida Shahamat. There are two Independent candidates: Alexia Yazdani, a solicitor from Rouse Hill and Jerzy “George” Rozycki, a member of the United Australia Party.

Nominations closed at noon on Wednesday (November 3rd).