Greater Hume's Matt Hicks calls for fresh blood in council chambers

Matt Hicks said there had been little interest so far from residents who might want to step-up to the role.

Local government elections will be held right across NSW in early December.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"The issue is that we're having trouble getting candidates," Cr Hicks said.

"From what we can understand, one councillor has spoken to 20 people and come up with nobody.

"A couple of others have spoken to others as well and there's only a couple of potentials.

"I don't think it's good for anyone if there's an uncontested election, so what I'm trying to do is encourage people to run."

Greater Hume has eight councillors, after the council's longest-continually serving councillor, Denise Knight, resigned last year.

Mr Hicks said on election day the council planned to hold a referendum to see whether ratepayers would like to abandon the current ward system, so that all electors vote for all nine councillors who represented Greater Hume.

"We want to have a referendum," he said.

"But we can't have a referendum unless every ward is contested, because it's a bit silly to have people come out just for a referendum."

Mr Hicks, who was first elected five years ago, said the council needed a cross-section of young and old.

"Some of the (councillors) that have been there for many years are doing a good job, but there's some there that probably need to be rotated out and bring in some fresh ideas and some fresh blood," he said.

"Some people probably feel like they haven't done enough in the community and they might not get the votes, but all I've got to say to that is it doesn't matter if you've done a lot or a little.

"People have always got something to add, so I just encourage anyone at all to put their hand in the ring."

Hicks said serving on council had been rewarding.

"I like to think I've made a bit of a difference and hopefully the ratepayers will think the same thing," he said.

"I've grown a fair bit as a person and gained some life experience on how to deal of people."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: