Orange City Council will hold its first full mayoral election on Saturday after a referendum at the last local government election in 2012 returned a positive result.

Despite a number of attempts over the years, though, Bathurst residents have never been given the chance to vote in their own referendum – but that could be about to change.

A survey of all 40 candidates by the Western Advocate sought their responses to a number of local issues, including whether they would support a referendum on the question of a popularly elected mayor.

Of the 26 responses now published on our website, 17 said they supported a referendum and just eight opposed.

One, The Greens’ lead candidate John Fry, sat on the fence, saying he “might” support a referendum but only if there are “guarantees that the all candidates had the same access to the media and publicity”.

That’s a major change in numbers to the last two councils where long-time referendum advocate Bobby Bourke consistently struggled to find support.

Three of the councillors seeking re-election – Graeme Hanger, Monica Morse and Warren Aubin – have maintained their opposition to a referendum while Ian North and Jess Jennings were among those who said yes.

With at least three first-time councillors to be elected on Saturday, referendum supporters have never been in a better position.

Cr North said he supported a referendum but would want to keep the cost down.

“I believe the residents should be allowed to have a say as to whether they want a popularly-elected mayor or not,” he said in his response.

“But if the referendum is too great a cost impost compared to asking the same question at a local government election I would defer the question till then.”

Candidate Nick Packham also backed a referendum.

“I would support a referendum to be conducted at the next council election as long as this did not result in a significant cost to Bathurst,” he said.

Cr Morse confirmed her position had not changed.

“The safest way for a workable council is to have a mayor who can lead a team of councillors … This is best achieved by being elected from within the sitting councillors,” she said.

The candidates’ full responses to all the questions can be found here.