Deller and Keys join byelection race

FAMILY HISTORY: Brian Deller has declared he will be standing in the upcoming Carterton by-election. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

A further two candidates have been nominated for the Carterton District Council byelection.

Brian Deller and Russell Keys have confirmed they will be standing for the vacant council seat.

Mr Deller is a member and former president of the Carterton Lions Club, belongs to Ngawi Sports Fishing Club, is a member of the East Coast Recreational Fishing Forum led by the Ministry for Primary Industries and a member of the South End Kindergarten Committee.

Formerly a partner at Ordish and Stevens, he became the sales manager and designer for milking machinery.

Mr Deller grew up on his parents' dairy farm in Parkvale, and his family has a long history in the area.

His great-grandfather G. W. Deller was mayor and uncle C.C. Deller was deputy mayor.

Mr Deller said with the town's stormwater and wastewater systems due to be updated, his experience in rural business would be an asset to the council.

"There are some large infrastructure projects needed in Carterton in the near future and I believe I have the skills and experience to ensure that these are implemented sustainably and economically.

"I was a business partner for 18 years so I know how businesses run and I also know about irrigation and effluent which gives me an insight into the big projects in Carterton over the next few years."

He is opposed to the super-city proposal, supporting the idea of a single unitary authority but would like the regional council to remain unchanged, Mr Deller said.

Mr Keys owns an electrical contracting business.

He is on the Carterton School Board of Trustees and has been a volunteer firefighter for 17 years.

Mr Keys said he was motivated to stand by the desire to see Carterton make good decisions on both the super-city proposal and its infrastructure.

"I've lived here all my life so I've got Carterton in my veins and I've got the best interests of the town at heart.

"It's just making sure that there's the right mix of infrastructure for the people that are coming into the town, and making sure we do it all properly."

His key areas of concern were water, roading and sewage.

Although opposed to the super-city plan he was not entirely discounting it.

"I'm opposed to it but I'm not closed to it. I haven't formed a 100 per cent opinion. I'd like to get more information before I became 100 per cent for or against."

He was used to responsibility and dealing with difficult situations, he said.

The two candidates will join Jacqui Malcolm, Tracey O'Callaghan, Rob Harris and Jenny Chalmers to contest the byelection. Nominations at midday today.