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INFORMATIVE: Lawyer Sathish Dasan conducts the prospective councillor training in the City of Whyalla council chambers.
More than 30 prospective councillors turned out to a training course in the City of Whyalla chambers last week.
Council invited Norman Waterhouse Lawyers to conduct the free July 26 open session for anyone wishing to become an elected member (councillor).
Norman Waterhouse principal lawyer Sathish Dasan conducted an informative and entertaining session describing the role of council and councillors while also holding a mock council meeting.
Nominations for those wishing to become a councillor open on Tuesday, September 4 and close at noon on Tuesday, September 18.
Nominating to be become a councillor is part of the three-step “Enrol, Nominate and Vote” process with the first deadline on August 10 when the roll closes for those people wishing to vote who aren’t on the electoral list. The voting, which is done by post, closes on November 9 and is conducted by the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA).
Those on the electoral roll will get their voting cards in the mail and simply need to fill them out and post them back in the pre-paid envelopes provided. Those not on the electoral roll can register to vote on the supplementary roll as long as they have lived in the respective region for at least a month. They will then also get their pack in the mail.
Those interested in becoming a candidate or for more information on voting, information can be found at https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/elections/council-elections-home
Information is also available at the front counter of the Council offices in Civic Building on Darling Terrace or by calling 8640 3444.
Voting in council elections is open to a broader range of people than State and Federal elections. Even if you are not an Australian citizen, and not on the State (House of Assembly) electoral roll, you can vote in a council election as long as you are 18 years of age or over and have lived in the council area for more than one month. You can also vote in a council election if you own a rateable property in the area, regardless of whether you live in it. Another important difference is that businesses and bodies corporate can vote in council elections.
For more information on eligibility go to www.lga.sa.gov.au/councilelections
If you are eligible to vote in the council election you are probably also eligible to stand for a position on council. With very few exceptions (such as being an undischarged bankrupt or being disqualified from holding office by a court order) you can nominate for a position on council regardless of qualifications, religion, race, gender, experience or profession. In fact, councils actively encourage nominations from diverse backgrounds to ensure that a wide range of views are being represented.
For more information on nominating go to www.lga.sa.gov.au/councilelections
Voting in council elections is done by post. If you are on the state (House of Assembly) electoral roll or have completed an enrolment to join the supplementary roll, you will receive a voting pack in the mail in late October. The ballot paper in your voting pack will show the candidates standing for election. Fill out the ballot paper and return it in the reply paid envelope.
For more information on candidates (when finalised) go to www.lga.sa.gov.au/councilelections