Council Elections

Posted 21st August, 2012 by Corporate Planner


The Council consists of seven Councillors, including the Mayor, who are elected for a four year term. The current Council will hold office until September 2012. The Mayor is elected annually in a ballot by fellow Councillors. Councillors are available to discuss any local issue and can be contacted on the telephone numbers listed.

Local government elections are held every four years with the next election in September 2012. It is compulsory for Australian citizens resident in the Shire, 18 years of age or older, to enrol and vote. You will be fined if you fail to vote without being able to provide a valid reason.

If you wish to vote in the Tumut Shire please make sure that you are registered on the electoral roll as a resident or ratepayer of the Tumut Shire. If you have just turned 18 or have only recently moved into the local area you may need to contact the NSW Electoral Commission on 1800 043 188 to make sure that you are properly registered. Electoral enrolment forms and change of address forms can also be collected from Australia Post outlets.

Note: There is no absentee voting in Local Government elections. If you will not be in the Tumut Shire you can lodge a postal vote immediately prior to an election.

Local government elections are held on the 2nd Saturday of September every 4th year. The election was held on Saturday 8 September 2012. By-elections are conducted periodically when a vacancy occurs. The Electoral Commission of NSW is responsible for the conduct of all local government elections to ensure that they are conducted independently and impartially. Voting is compulsory.

Election Enquiries can be made on 1300 135 736

Political Donations
Registered parties, candidates and political donors have election funding disclosure obligations. For details visit the NSW Election Funding Authority.

The Environment Planning and Assessment Act 179 places obligations on Councillors, staff, applicants and any person who makes a public submission, to disclose information relating to political donations and gifts during the environmental plan making or development assessment process.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2012
The next Ordinary Election of Councillors occured on Saturday 8 September 2012.

Information on voting in the Tumut Shire can be found at the following link:- http://www.votensw.info/councils/tumut_shire_council

Information on how the votes are counted can be found at the following link:-http://www.votensw.info/election_information/counting_the_votes

Online Postal Voting Applications

Applications for postal voting are available to eligible electors either via the NSW website at www.votensw.info or can be picked up at the Tumut Shire Council offices, Ground Floor. Applications closed 3 September, 2012 and have to be returned before 10 September, 2012.

Pre-poll Voting

Pre-poll Voting opened at 8.30am on Monday, 27 August and closed at 6.00pm on Friday, 7 September at Tumut Shire Administration Office, Ground Floor, 76 Capper Street, Tumut.

Non-Residential Roll Claim Form

Claim for inclusion in the roll of Non-Residential owners of rateable land or the Roll of Occupiers and Ratepaying lessees closed on 30 July 2012. - to view the form - Non-Residential Electoral Claim Form Template

A copy of the Non-Residential  Roll and Roll of Occupiers and Ratepaying lessees are now available for public inspection at any reasonable time during office hours at the Council offices, 76 Capper Street, Tumut.

Candidate Information

For further information on becoming a Councillor go to  http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/ - click on 'Council Elections 2012' and follow the links. Nominations closed 12 noon 8th August, 2012.

Tumut Shire Council has conducted intending Councillor Workshops.

Council's Mentoring Scheme
Applications for the Mentoring Scheme closed on 16th March, 2012.  For further information contact the General Manager - Bob Stewart.

Candidate Information Seminars
The NSWEC and the Election Funding Authority (EFA) are holding a series of information seminars for candidates (including existing Councillors) considering standing at the Local Government elections in September 2012.

Persons considering running for a position as Councillor at Tumut Shire Council are advised that the semiars are being held at various locations and are designed to provide prospective councillors with the information they will need to make a considered decision.  All prospective and existing councillors are strongly urged to attend a seminar.

The seminars will be conducted by the Local Government and Shires Association and will cover topics such as:

  • What is Local Government?
  • Why/how do I become a councillor?
  • The Councillor and other roles
  • Governance versus management
  • Councillor expectations and challenges
  • Knowledge, skills and commitment
  • Council meetings

For further details on Seminar dates they may be found on the Election Funding Authority website on the following link: http://vote.nsw.gov.au/candidate_information_seminars

Further information on the elections please follow the following link:  www.dlg.nsw.gov.au - click on 'Council Elections 2012' and follow the links.

Local Government Election Calendar v.2

Interactive Forms

The following interactive forms have been uploaded to www.votensw.info

- Nomination of a Candidate by Registereed Political Party (LG202)
- Nomination of a Candidate by Two Electore (LG203)
- Request to Form a Group (LG204)

Other informational documentation for candidates ;-

Advice of changes to political donations laws commencing 9 March 2012 - Election Funding Authority
Ban On Political Donations By Corporations Other Entities - DLG Circular 12-07
Councillor Development Strategy 2012 - DLG Circular 12-08
Local Government Election Bulletin Number 3 - 9 May 2012 - Electoral Commission
Do you Need to Register as a Candidate or Group? - Fact Sheet - Election Funding Authority
Councillor Guide - Guide - Division of Local Government
Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guide - Division of Local Government
The Election Process 2012 - Division of Local Government