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DR ROSS KERRIDGE STANDING FOR LORD MAYOR OF NEWCASTLE

Jul 19, 2024

3 min read

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Dr Ross Kerridge is announcing his candidacy for the Lord Mayor of City of Newcastle at the

election on the 14 September.


As a lifelong member of the Labor party, Dr Kerridge is saddened to resign from the party he

joined at 18 years old. He is resigning as he no longer has any faith in the leadership in our City

under Lord Mayor Nelmes and her team of councillors.


“Our City has seen scandal after scandal, embarrassment after embarrassment. We need fresh

leadership that will actually listen to the community. We need Councillors who will cooperate with

the city’s small businesses, with community groups and ratepayers and who will passionately

serve on the council without using the position as a stepping stone to become the next state or

federal member.”



Dr Ross Kerridge has spent his entire career serving others. As a Staff Specialist Anaesthetist at

the John Hunter Hospital, Ross understands how to lead and work in a team under pressure. He

understands putting integrity first and foremost and will carry these values forward into his

leadership on the Council if elected.

To engage with Dr Kerridge’s campaign, please visit: ournewcastle.info

Below are a few of Dr Kerridge’s key priorities, if elected:


• Working collaboratively and respectfully with all twelve Councillors and building a culture of

respect and cooperation.

• Building a Council that works efficiently and effectively to serve all of our community.

• Stop the waste and encourage the council to focus on service delivery - not for glamour

projects costing millions but delivering essential projects that benefit the whole community.

• Fixing the culture at Council. I will prohibit dodgy appointments so that important council

positions are not filled by mates but by the best people this community has to offer.

• Ending the privatisation obsession and minimising use of consultants and external

services - Let’s bring basic council services back in house.

• Ensuring that the Council plays a key role in bringing the community together by providing

services, facilities, sporting and cultural events for all to enjoy fairly, equally and together.

• Ensuring actual community consultation is conducted. Currently residents are not

respected, and ratepayers are rarely listened to

• Not misusing election as your Lord Mayor as a self-serving stepping-stone to become the

next Premier or Prime Minister. “My focus is on good Local Government, not state and

federal politics.”


Quotes attributable to Dr Ross Kerridge, Candidate for Lord Mayor

“I’m determined to bring honesty, integrity and transparency back to Newcastle Council. We’ve

seen far too many scandals play out over the last decade, from the sell off of the Roundhouse

administration building and the nonsensical leasing of the Stewart Avenue site to the privatisation

of the inland pools and the attacking of State MP’s

“I believe that the ratepayers of Newcastle are seeking change, they want to see leadership in our

council that brings the community together, not divides it. Community groups, small businesses

and ratepayers are all desperate for sensible policies and expenditure of ratepayer’s funds.

“If I’m elected Lord Mayor, my focus will be on ensuring all of our suburbs have basic services like

footpaths and decent roads rather than prioritising skateparks on the beach or having dozens of

media and comms staff”


Dr Ross Kerridge

for

OUR NEWCASTLE

Community. People. Respect.

Jul 19, 2024

3 min read

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country, the Awabakal and Worimi people, and recognise the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

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