FEDERATION Council candidate Shaun Whitechurch ramped up his election chances on Thursday when a large banner promoting his ticket appeared near the Corowa pre-poll centre.
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The “How to Vote” banner was hoisted into the air by a crane parked in a service station next door to the Oddfellows Hall which has been used as the pre-poll centre for almost a fortnight.
Mr Whitechurch said he complied with all NSW Electoral Commission requirements for campaigning, but complaints were registered with Federation Council about the sign.
“We’ve followed all the rules,” he said.
“As long as it wasn’t within six metres of the entrance to a polling place it was compliant.
“Everyone can put an A-frame on the street and hand out a flyer.
“But if you want change, you’ve got to make change.”
The council didn’t comment when contacted by The Border Mail.
Fellow candidate David Longley, who was at the pre-poll centre for most of Thursday, said he and other candidates didn’t have a problem with the banner.
“We’ve had a good laugh about it and thought it was a bit of fun,” he said.
Mr Whitechurch had the permission of the service station owner to erect the sign with the crane used owned by No.5 on his ticket, James Webb.
His other Corowa-based ticket members are former Corowa councillor Norm Wales, Stuart Whisson and Paul Phibbs.
“It’s certainly created some interest,” he said.
“We’ll strategically place it around the shire over the next two days.
“It can go 25 metres in the air so we can go just about anywhere.
“We’re doing it because we can.”
Mayor Kevin Mack and ticket mates Murray King and John Stuchbery went on a promotional blitz using mobile billboards to successfully promote key policies including Lake Hume house boats, recreational vehicle parks and upgrading Thurgoona Drive.
The Corowa and Urana pre-poll centres will close on Friday with an unprecedented number of votes lodged before election day on Saurday.
A total of 1620 votes had been lodged at Corowa and a further 40 at Urana by 4.30pm on Thursday.
The electoral commission had only predicted 750 pre-poll votes would be taken.
There are 9171 registered voters in the merged local government area.
