elections.

Moree Plains has drawn 24 candidates, 15 of whom are new, to fill 11 councillor spots.

Two sitting councillors – Fred Barlow and Michael Ivanov – aren’t recontesting their positions, but mayor Mike Montgomery and deputy mayor Allan Boardman are in the race.

In Narrabri, out of the 19 candidates, 12 are new. They’re vying for 12 councillor spots.

Bowing out of the race are deputy mayor Ross Gleeson, Tim Fragar, David Laird, Tony Meppem, Ross Panton and Shane Rae. Mayor George Sevil is staying on and will be joined by incumbents Ken Bates, Conrad Bolton, Peter Etheridge, Ron Lowder and Bevan O’Regan on the ballot sheet.

Three Tenterfield shire councillors have decided not to recontest their positions – Keith Pickstone, Jack Cowin and John Brown.

That council has seven new candidates, who will join mayor Michael Aquilini, deputy mayor Toby Smith, John Macnish, George Hardcastle, Nick De Stefani, Tom Peters and Lucy Sullivan in the race for 10 councillor spots.

Six new candidates – Vivienne Lanagan, Dan Raymond, Des Bowlay, Malcolm Schumacher, Neville Campbell and Michael Scherf – have thrown their hats in the ring for Glen Innes Severn Shire Council.

Councillors David Cooper, Stephen Hicks and Shirley Taylor aren’t recontesting. Mayor Steve Toms, deputy mayor Colin Price, Rosemary Curtis, Dianne Newman and Robert Schroder are standing again.

Retiring from Inverell are councillors David Mudaliar, Peter Lloyd and Darrell Barnes, with four new hopefuls putting their hands up – Rick Molesworth, Jacki Watts, Mal Peters and Bob Dasey.

Incumbents are mayor Barry Johnston, Paul Harmon, Di Baker, John Cameron, Harold Castledine, John Irvine, David Jones, Kevin Kneipp and Michael Lewis.

Uralla Shire Council has 10 councillor spots and 10 candidates, comprising five incumbents and five new candidates. Mayor Ron Filmer and deputy mayor Mark Dusting have put their hands up this year.

In Walcha, Peter Blomfield is the only councillor to have dropped out of the race. Two new candidates have stepped up to the plate – Andrew Eliott and Scott Schmutter. Walcha has eight councillor positions open.

The statewide local government elections are on Saturday, September 13.