Cessnock Mayor Daniel Watton to Introduce Mayoral Minute for Bulky Waste Collection
In a significant move for Cessnock residents, Mayor Daniel Watton is set to introduce a Mayoral Minute aimed at fulfilling a core promise made during the election campaign: the implementation of bulky waste collection. This initiative represents the Orange Independents’ efforts to bring their agenda to the forefront.
However, one major obstacle stands in their way: the Labor block, which has consistently opposed bulky waste collection for years. We reached out to former Mayor Jay Suvaal in the lead up to election, who expressed strong reservations about the initiative, citing concerns over its expense and potential dangers to council teams involved in collection.
If Labor continues to resist this motion, the outcome will largely hinge on Sarah Pascoe’s vote. As the key swing vote, her decision could determine whether the Independents successfully implement one of their key promises. Should the motion fail, and if Pascoe votes against the Mayor and the overwhelming mandate that supported his election, the Independent-led council could be seen as ineffective—a “toothless tiger.”
With a divided council of six votes each for Labor and the Orange Independents, and with Pascoe leaning more toward Labor, the prospects for Mayor Watton’s agenda appear challenging. Should he struggle to push through his initiatives, it could potentially set the stage for Labor to attempt a motion of no confidence against him. Given the recent shift in leadership, it would not be surprising to see such actions from the left in response to their loss of the mayoral seat.