A SHORTLIST of National Party candidates will be officially announced on Saturday, September 16 to help determine a replacement for long-time Lismore State Member Thomas George, who is set to retire in early 2019.
The list includes current Tenterfield Shire Mayor Peter Petty, Lismore Shire Deputy Mayor Gianpiero Battista as well as long-time locals Austin Curtin, Andrew Gorton, Rob Bruem and Ray Karam.
Board Members from the National Party are expected to decide on a shortlist of the candidates after which time an electorate-wide ballot will be held on Sunday, November 19, to determine who can contest the seat.
Although retaining his seat in the 2015 State Government Election, Mr George experienced a 21.5 per cent swing against him but managed to hold on with 52.9 per cent of the vote.
Mr George has been the State Member for Lismore since 1999.
Lismore localities include the following suburbs:
Bentley, Bexhill, Bonalbo, Bottle Creek, Cawongla, Cedar Point, Chillingham, Clunes, Corndale, Dunoon, Eltham, Ettrick, Murwillumbah, Tyalgum, Eungella, Federal, Grevillia, Kunghur, Kyogle, Legume, Liston, Lismore, Mallanganee, Mount Lion, Mummulgum, Nimbin, Old Bonalbo, Rock Valley, Rosebank, Tabulam, The Channon, Toonumbar, Uki, Urbenville, Wyrallah, Wiangaree and Woodenbong.