Monday March 11 forum: Your chance to meet the candidates

Six candidates are likely to contest the seat of Monaro.

The Queanbeyan Ratepayers and Residents Association has arranged to host a 'meet the candidates' forum. QRRA secretary Sue Ball-Guymer says the group formed in 2014 as a result of "the back-dated rates debacle with the then Queanbeyan Council".

"Since that issue was resolved, we've been a focus for disseminating information about the council and raising issues we think are relevant," Ms Ball-Guymer said.

The group has hosted two forums, including the council election, and this will be their third, though first for state.

"How we've run it previously is give each candidate a time to speak, chosen randomly," Ms Ball-Guymer said.

"We are expecting only six for this electorate this year, so everyone can have their presentation and our president will moderate with questions from the floor."

Ms Ball-Guymer emphasised the group was "apolitical, so we won't tolerate any ranting on our page," or at the meet the candidates forum (including from nominees).

On going to press, the candidates registered with the NSW Electoral Commission for the seat of Monaro were:

Two expected registrations were: John Barilaro, The Nationals (incumbent), and Andrew Thaler, independent.

The forum would be a chance for voters to "explore state issues within Queanbeyan," such as: the council's special rates variation (SRV) as overseen by the Office of Local Government (OLG); Queanbeyan's main street, which is a state road; and the EDE (Ellerton Drive Extension), also state-funded and -managed, she said.

Ms Ball-Guymer also expected that voters would be interested to discuss the party/state stance on climate change among other larger-scale issues.

The forum will be on Monday March 11 from 7pm at the Queanbeyan Kangaroos Club, 74 Stuart Street, Crestwood.