Ms Pinson is managing director of Wauchope-based award-winning company, Stabilcorp which specialises in road pavement repair and maintenance. She lives in North Haven.

Ms Pinson came second in the race against Peter Besseling last time around, securing 29.29 per cent of the primary vote. The foundation of her campaign in 2016 was that the council was set to bring in a 52.4% rate increase.

A special rate variation increase of 5.39 per cent was approved by the Independent Planning and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) earlier this month.

“I think the recent rate rise was a cash grab from our community. Even though it was a reduced rate, it was an increase,” said Ms Pinson.

“It leads to the most disadvantaged in our community, our seniors, who are struggling already to pay high rates, to have to find the extra money to pay the rates increase,” she added.

Peta Pinson said she believes support for her has increased since September’s council election.

“The support I received then, and since Peter Besseling’s resignation has been heartwarming. These are the people I’m hoping to represent – people who want a fresh approach,” she said.

Ms Pinson said if she becomes mayor, she will hold the council to account and meet people to listen to their concerns.

“I’m not a person of words, I’m a person of action. I understand the issues in council.

“There’s a lack of transparency, the community is closed off. I want that to change. I want the community to be truly part of the decision-making process,” she said.

Ms Pinson denied being aligned with the Nationals. Ms Pinson said she would get votes from people across the community, regardless of their political persuasion.

Her election promises this time around include reforming the tendering process.

“I’m in favour of local businesses tendering 'like for like' to generate jobs and drive the local economy. Tender processes need to be fully transparent,” said Ms Pinson.

She also promised to engage with all community groups in areas like Wauchope, Telegraph Point, Pappinbarra and the Camden Haven, to ensure that those places have a say, and are more included and not isolated.

“If I were to be elected mayor, I would meet every one of those community associations and map out what they require from council,” she said.

Ms Pinson has met the council’s general manager, Craig Swift-McNair and said they had a frank and open conversation of what her intentions were, and they left the meeting with a good understanding of one another.

She added that she would report to the community on council matters in an open, honest and transparent manner.

“There are a lot of closed meetings at council. That brings about suspicion. It’s about creating trust in our community,” she said.

Her decision to stand for mayor comes just weeks after the council lost its appeal to avoid a lawsuit payout of nearly $250,000 to her husband’s company, Mid Coast Road Services.

“It was bloody-minded of council to pursue a matter with a local contractor that council was legally in the wrong for,” said Ms Pinson.

The Wauchope businesswoman said she was as surprised as anyone was when Peter Besseling resigned. He quit his post on May 8 to take up a job with Birdon Marine.

She says that as an award-winning businesswoman, she is solution-focused.  

“I’m looking forward to the election campaign and giving the community a viable option. I think it’s time for change,” said Ms Pinson.