Two unaligned independents who could influence the outcome of Saturday's Newcastle local government election say they want to see the end of political "mud-slinging" on the council.
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Community newspaper owner Mark Brooker and Wallsend Town Business Association chairperson Wayne Rogers will line up in wards three and four respectively.
Labor holds two of the three seats in both wards, giving them an absolute majority which Mr Brooker expects will end if he or Mr Rogers wins on Saturday.
He was critical of both Labor and the four-member Newcastle Independents alliance, saying the community had grown frustrated with the "mud-slinging and petty politics" on the council.
"This one's particularly unfriendly and uncivil. Maybe it stems from the Labor majority," he said.
"I want to be part of a new future where the community's opinion of our council is approved, because it's at a low."
Mr Brooker said, if elected, he would examine issues on their merits.
He did not disagree strongly with the council's achievements over the past four years but said the two-party politics had led to a lack of consultation.
"Yes, stuff is being done. We don't have potholes in the road and garbage is being collected, but the current councillors as a whole have not brought great repute on the institution," he said.
"If the Labor majority has failed on one count this term, it's that they haven't listened to people. They've had the luxury of not needing to."
He said proposed changes to Newcastle Ocean Baths were an example of where "clearly the consultation happened after the event".
Mr Brooker said the Newcastle Independents had "enjoyed playing the role of opposition" and controversial councillor Allan Robinson, who parted ways with the alliance in July over a series of sexist and homophobic comments, would "hopefully be gone" from ward four.
"It says something about the Newcastle Independents that other independents have felt a need to run."
Mr Rogers, a female impersonator who appeared on Channel 7 series Australia's Got Talent in 2011, works in a hair salon and runs a high-tea business from home.
He said he had no policy agenda but would like to help residents with issues as they arose.
"I'm here for the community," he said.
"I don't believe there should be parties on local councils. It should just be individuals."
He said he would like to see better footpaths in ward four and upgraded facilities in Beresfield.
"In this day and age we should have footpaths in every street. And Beresfield is so neglected. We need to push for them."
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