BEN NILAND
INDEPENDENT
PORT STEPHENS COUNCIL
CENTRAL WARD CANDIDATE
Who Is Ben?
Ben is married to Nicole and they have a son, Lachlan and live in Medowie.
Ben was awarded the Port Stephens Citizen of the Year Award in 2019 for his very successful drought fundraiser: Medowie Bale Out The Drought which raised over $80,000 for our struggling farmers via Buy A Bale.
Ben is a civil engineer and has delivered over $5B in projects, notably the Rankin Park to Jesmond Project, was a senior engineer in the response to the Natural Disasters of 2021 and 2022, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Nelson Bay Rd between Bobs Farm and Anna Bay and Newcastle Light Rail. Ben has also worked in Afghanistan with the United Nations and in PNG.
Ben runs his own civil engineering consultancy and has sponsored many teams and Clubs including: Ronald McDonald House, John Hunter Children's Hospital, MS "May 50k" (did it in one day!), Medowie Sports and Community Club, Medowie Rugby, Medowie Social Golf, Port Hunter Touch Football, Port Power Women's AFLW team, Medowie Cricket Club, 1000k’s for kids bike, Raymond Terrace Roosters Rugby League, St Brigid's Netball Club, Raymond Terrace Soccer Club, and other charitable causes.
Ben’s history of volunteering includes:
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Medowie rugby clubman of the year twice, Club secretary for 2 years, Vice president for 1, public officer for 8 years
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Medowie sporties secretary and public officer for 10 years
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Medowie Sports Council for 5 years
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Port Stephens Audit Committee for 9 years – 5 years as Chairman and one of only three community representatives
Ben now wants to serve Central Ward and Port Stephens more broadly. But he needs your vote to get there.
Ben will be out and about talking with people about his plans and listening to your ideas to make Port Stephens even better.
Say G'day to Ben when you see him out and about
Latest News
25/8/24
Under Way!
I've had a great couple of weeks getting across Central Ward. I got to spend some time Steve Tucker on the Tilligerry Peninsula checking out his long legacy of things built and listening to see what else needs doing.
I've been to all towns now and have seen what things can be done to improve our area.
from Karuah to Swan Bay to Medowie to Salt Ash to Tanilba Bay to Mallabula to Lemon Tree to Bobs Farm to Anna Bay, 1 thing appears to be at the top of the list... Fixing Roads
For now, my signs continue to go up, but I'm always looking for more locations. Keep up to date in my Facebook page with day to day news.
If you can help, get in touch. Thanks
I'M RUNNING!
23/7/2024
After having to withdraw as a lead candidate unexpectedly in July 2021 from running for council owing to a serious medical condition in my family, a successful recovery means I am in a position now to get the task done I set out to do a few years ago:
I will be running for one of 3 positions on Port Stephens Council as a Central Ward Councillor.
I believe I can bring a wealth of information gained over 20 years of working in the civil engineering sector and nearly 30 years of calling the Port home.
I will be putting forward a comprehensive and long list of ideas that I'll be advocating for during the campaign period. I expect no one will have a better or more wide spread package of ideas for Central Ward and the Port more widely. Keep updated by coming back to this page and my Social pages... And please, use be sure to use the hashtag #ImBackingBen
My 5 Point Plan
1. To have less reliance on ratepayer contributions
2. Support Local Business - especially small business
3. Encourage responsible development in Port Stephens
4. Improve our road and drainage assets
5. Improve access and recreation facilities
Read more in announcements
Poll
