Want to be a councillor? Learn more ahead of the September election

Published on 31 May 2024

Cooma Council Chambers, head of the meeting table with empty chairs and councillor paraphernalia and state/national flags behind.

Election day for local governments across NSW is coming up on Saturday 14 September 2024. If you’ve ever considered running to represent your community as a member of Council, we’re sharing resources to help you understand the process and to decide whether the life of a candidate and councillor is right for you.

The NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) is responsible for running most council elections in the state, and the Commission’s website has a wide range of information covering the requirements, regulations, and key dates for this election.

Resources available to potential candidates on the NSWEC website include:

  • A series of webinars covering basic candidate information, election funding and disclosures, nominations, electoral materials, and post-election obligations.
    • The first webinar for this year was held last week, covering the essentials you need to know before making your decision to run.
    • Visit https://qrco.de/candidate-info1 to watch a recording of the webinar.
  • Information on registration and nomination.
    • Registration allows you to start fundraising and incurring campaign expenses, while nomination is the separate process required to get your name on the ballot.
  • Guidance on managing campaign finances, including political donation caps, expenditure caps, and disclosure requirements.
  • Rules and deadlines for electoral materials like how-to-vote cards.

‘Local government is responsible for the services and infrastructure that people interact with every single day, and works more closely with the community than any other level of government,’ said Mayor Chris Hanna.

‘If you care about your community, our region, and want to play a central role in making the decisions that will shape the Snowy Monaro’s future – please consider running for a seat on our Council.’

Council has enlisted the peak body for local governments in NSW, Local Government NSW (LGNSW), to hold two local candidate information sessions.

The first is a face-to-face-session at the Werri Nina Centre, 227 Sharp Street, Cooma on Wednesday 3 July from 5.30pm to 9.00pm.

The second is an online session on Wednesday 10 July 2024 from 5.30pm to 9.00pm.

Registrations for these sessions is essential. Visit https://qrco.de/SMRCcandidates for more information.

These sessions will cover everything a potential candidate needs to know, with a particular focus on the things that make serving as a councillor in regional NSW – and the Snowy Monaro in particular – a unique challenge.

‘I really encourage anyone who’s been thinking about throwing their hat in the ring to head to the Commission’s website,’ said Mayor Hanna.

‘Your campaign alone will be a big commitment, so take some time and learn more about what it takes to run for a seat and serve as an elected councillor.’

Candidate registrations are open now and close at midday on Wednesday 14 August 2024, so there’s still time to make your decision. Nominations to appear on the ballot open later this year on Monday 5 August 2024.

Visit the NSW Electoral Commission website at https://elections.nsw.gov.au for all the information you need to know this election.

For locally-tailored information for candidates, residents and ratepayers ahead of 2024’s local government election, please visit the election page on Council’s website.

Visit https://qrco.de/2024SMRCelection to learn more.

Council will share more information for candidates, residents and ratepayers in the run up to local government election day for 2024.

Remember to keep your voter enrolment up to date. Visit https://check.aec.gov.au/ to make sure your details are current.

 

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