Ward 2 Labor Cr Romola Hollywood has called on the Liberal party to pick a new lead candidate for its Ward 2 ticket.
"I fundamentally believe a local councillor needs to actually be local. Jo Bromilow lives in Glenbrook, 25km from Hazelbrook and 38km from Wentworth Falls," Cr Hollywood said.
She said Ms Bromilow was "noted for her role as president of the Blaxland Chamber of Commerce, her advocacy for increased development, including four storey shops at Blaxland, and her support for the government's no-curfew airport".
"She has no connection with Ward 2. I have never seen her at a function or event in our area. She has never advocated for any issues relevant to Ward 2."
Cr Hollywood said she also had concerns that with both Liberal Ward 3 [former state member Roza Sage] and Ward 2 lead candidates residing in Ward 4, it meant that ward "would effectively have five councillors when added to the three actually elected".
In a joint statement Ms Bromilow and Liberal party candidate for Ward 3 Mrs Roza Sage said they found the political debate "disappointing".
"The Liberal teams for Ward 2 and 3 for the upcoming council elections are squarely focused on the issues that matter to their ratepayers," they said.
"We will strongly advocate for more footpaths to promote active transport and healthy living, for the provision of adequate kerb and guttering to address the poor drainage issues plaguing our areas and fixing local roads.
"It is disappointing that the level of political debate in the Blue Mountains has stooped so low."
Ward 2 Greens Cr Brent Hoare also believes Ms Bromilow's residency "is a real issue".
"Local politics is by definition, local. Ms Bromilow falls at the first hurdle. Frankly, I will be telling my community to 'Say no to Glenbrook Jo'."
Ward 2 covers Wentworth Falls to Faulconbridge/Springwood. Currently, all three sitting councillors live in the ward.
Cr Hollywood said as a Glenbrook resident, Ms Bromilow would "not have to live with the consequences of the decisions she makes as a councillor... By living in... the community you share the consequences of council's decisions with your fellow residents."
"If Ms Bromilow and Ms Sage are both elected, nearly half the councillors would reside east of Valley Heights. Frankly, it takes Ward 2 for granted that the Liberal Party cannot be bothered to run a local as the lead candidate. If the Liberal Party cares about Ward 2, it will dump Ms Bromilow."
