Ms Fraser, Labor’s mayoral candidate in the upcoming Lake Macquarie local government election, has said that if elected as mayor she will look at ways to deliver “greater lengths of footpaths within existing budgets”.

“It is essential that Lake Macquarie City Council aim to provide additional footpaths and cycleway infrastructure in the years ahead,” she said.

“This infrastructure is crucial to maintaining our quality of life here in Lake Macquarie.

“Recycled concrete, brick, asphalt, glass and shredded car tyres are being used throughout Australia on projects to provide economic, environmental and social benefits.

“Lake Macquarie has a unique opportunity to deliver greater lengths of footpaths within existing budgets in a cost effective and sustainable way through using these technologies.”

Cr Fraser, of Valentine, has served on the Lake Macquarie council for 12 years and is in her fourth term representing east ward.

She was endorsed as mayoral candidate over fellow nominee Brian Adamthwaite, the current deputy mayor, in a rank and file ballot of about 200 party members.

While sitting councillors Adamthwaite and Barney Langford will stand again in north ward, four fresh faces have been endorsed to contest the west and east ward polls. 

Adam Schultz, a 32-year-old business and public policy professional from Valentine who volunteered on the 2012 Obama campaign, is the number one candidate for east ward, with Christine Buckley, of Floraville, second on the ticket. 

David Belcher and Garth Weiley, general manager of Event Cinemas Kotara, both of Morisset, will stand in the west ward.

Labor mayor of Lake Macquarie and state Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison must stand down at the election due to laws that prevent MPs from sitting on local councils. 

Labor councillors Chad Griffith and Daniel Wallace, the Newcastle Trades Hall Council secretary, are also standing down.

Pre-polling for the September 10 election is now underway.

According to the NSW Electoral Commission, an eligible voter can pre-poll if they will not be within eight kilometres of a polling booth between 8am and 6pm on September 10.

Lake Macquarie pre-poll offices are located at The Returning Office on Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay; Charlestown Library; Toronto Library; The Swansea Centre, Pacific Highway, Swansea and; Cooranbong Community Centre, Freemans Drive, Cooranbong.