CANDIDATES for the upcoming local government elections are being invited to express their views on the future development of Young at an open forum to be conducted later this month.

The 13 candidates seeking votes to represent the people of the Young shire on council are being invited to take part in the forum on August 30 by Burrangong Action Committee.

Committee chairman Ted Loader said the forum was being held to give member of the public a chance to hear what prospective councillors have to say on all issues concerning the shire.

“It is all issues involving Young,” he said, “not just Burrangong’s issue.”

Mr Loader said the forum would be orderly and run by an independent chairman.

“It is not going to be an open slather event, and it will not be designed to line prospective councillors up to shoot them down.”

“It will be a chance for people to get to know the candidates, to ask questions, to hear what direction candidates would like to see the future of Young heading, what issues concern them and why they are standing,” he said.

Mr Loader said the open forum was particularly important because some residents felt council hadn’t listened to the people over the last two years.

“We are trying to make it as fair as possible for everyone,” he said and we are talking to a few independent members of the public now, and we are organising this as a public forum to cover a wide range of topics.

“We are trying to be honest and trying to put some integrity back into the process.

The forum will be held at 2pm on Saturday August 30 at Burrangong Oval.